Midland Public Schools

Midland Public Schools (MPS) is a public school district located in Midland, Michigan, United States. According to the US News and World Report, Dow High School ranked 38th and Midland High School ranked 90th among 1,136 high schools in the state. The Niche website scored MPS as an "A-" and the top school district among 22 districts in the Saginaw Area. Only 34 school districts offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Michigan; MPS is one of them.

History The roots of Midland Public Schools began in 1857 with an unnamed building on the corner of Ashman and Ellsworth Streets with 11 students. In 1862 an addition was constructed.

Midland's population surged with demand for white pine lumber after the Civil War. The 1872 Union School was built on the outskirts of town for grades 1-12. The three-story building (plus basement) was constructed in Italianate architecture using brick with a wood interior of black walnut. The cost was $20,000 plus another $3,000 for a "complete science laboratory". It was well lighted, ventilated and used steam radiators for heat. The building was the pride of the community, also used for voting and town meetings. Ten years later, there were 14 teachers and an impressive library with 708 books. An $8,000 addition was built in 1887 with more classrooms. At the turn of the century, it was used exclusively for high school students. One night in October 1908 the steam boiler exploded, and the resulting fire destroyed the school.

A replacement school on the site was constructed the following year using insurance and a large donation from Herbert Henry Dow of the Dow Chemical Company. The institution was renamed Central High School. A Junior High School was added to the property in 1917.

By the mid-1930s, the student population had grown and the second, larger high school was built in 1937. The 1908 first high school was used as an elementary school, then as the intermediate school until Northeast Middle School (then Northeast Intermediate) was opened in 1950. Student populations climbed higher and in 1954, a $4.7 million bond approved by voters. A third high school in Midland was completed in late 1955, named Midland High School and their nickname was "Chemics". For the 1956-57 school year, the high school moved to the new building and the 1937 Central High School became Central Intermediate, the second middle school in Midland. The 1908 (first) MHS was torn down in 1957. For the 1963-64 school year, Jefferson Intermediate was opened to handle children from the Post-World War II baby boom. Midland High School was overcrowded again, but the decision was made to build a second high school in Midland, less than ten years after the current MHS was completed. Herbert Henry Dow High School opened to sophomores in 1968 and added one grade each year until the first class graduated in 1971. A freshman class was added to high schools in 1997 and intermediate schools changed from grades 7-8-9 to 6-7-8; school names were changed from Intermediate to Middle School. Elementary schools gained classrooms when they lost grade 6.

Board MPS is controlled by a seven-member school board chosen in a staggered non-partisan election in even-numbered years. Terms are for four years and vacancies are filled by a vote of the remaining board members. The superintendent is appointed by the board and serves under contract at the pleasure of the board. The board also elects a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer from their members. The remaining three members are known as trustees. The board holds monthly public meetings at the Midland Public Schools Administration Center on Carpenter Street.

Consolidation As Michigan's economy worsened in 2009, the school board debated alternatives to reduce expenses in preparation for a $3–6 million reduction in state funding. Enrollment had been declining for several years to a point where the district's 12 elementary schools were below two-thirds capacity and several needed to be closed. Only one elementary school was projected to close for the 2009-2010 school year, but three more were planned for 2010-2011 when students zoned for Central Middle School would be sent to Jefferson and Northeast Middle Schools. Consolidation of the district's administrative offices was proposed, as well as relocation to a closed elementary school.McGuire, Abby: Midland Daily News, March 10, 2009-MPS proposes moving Eastlawn students to Central

On December 15, 2009, the board elected to close five (5) elementary schools beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. The schools chosen for closure were Chippewassee, Longview, Parkdale, Mills, and Cook. The majority of the students of these schools were moved to other elementary schools in the district. Parkdale Elementary was demolished in December 2015 and left a green space.

Central Middle School was closed for instruction at the end of the 2012-13 school year, although the building was then actively used for entertainment, sporting and administrative purposes. Remaining students were moved to Jefferson and Northeast Middle Schools. The original building's auditorium was later renovated while most other parts of the building were demolished. In February 2016, plans were approved for a new STEM-focused elementary school to be built at the same location. The new school, Central Park Elementary, opened in September 2017.Bryant, Roger: Bryant, Roger:

The 2016 Dow High School improvement plan stated that the Dow Chemical Company was the major area employer and had been downsizing since 2012, resulting in a decrease of 160 students. The merger of Dow Corning and DuPont was expected to exacerbate the situation.

Eastlawn Elementary School, which was constructed after World War II ended, was closed in 2017 with students directed to the new Central Park Elementary nearby. The building was demolished in May 2020 and the land was destined for housing. Carpenter Street School was also closed in 2017. It was constructed in 1927, with the facility repurposed as a preschool building, but it is nearing the end of its useful life. with students also going to Central Park Elementary.

Franklin Center was torn down in February 2020.

Bond proposal In early January 2025, a facilities improvement bond proposal for $285 million was approved by the school board. The bond was intended to construct a new Northeast Middle School which was nearing the end of its useful life, a new elementary school, upgraded athletic facilities and technology. On the May 6 ballot, it was soundly defeated, nearly 3-1. It would have increased yearly property taxes by $325/$100K in taxable value. Voters cited increasing prices and academic performance.

Current facilities + Facilities in Midland Public Schools District School name Address Built Size Mascot WebsiteElementary schools (Grades K-5) Adams Elementary School 1005 Adams Dr, Midland, MI 48642 1962 Atoms https://ade.midlandps.org Carpenter Pre-Primary Center 1407 W Carpenter St, Midland, MI 48640 1926 Formerly Carpenter School https://cpp.midlandps.org Central Park Elementary School 1400 Rodd St, Midland, MI 48640 2017 Explorers https://cpe.midlandps.org Chestnut Hill Elementary School 3900 Chestnut Hill Dr, Midland, MI 48642 1957 Chipmunks https://che.midlandps.org Plymouth Elementary School 1105 East Sugnet Rd, Midland, MI 48642 1952 Pioneers https://pme.midlandps.org Siebert Elementary School 5700 Siebert St, Midland, MI 48642 1958 Bulldogs https://sbe.midlandps.org Woodcrest Elementary School 5500 Drake St, Midland, MI 48640 1969 Wolverines https://wce.midlandps.orgMiddle schools (Grades 6-8) Jefferson Middle School 800 W Chapel Ln, Midland, MI 48640 1963 Huskies https://jms.midlandps.org Northeast Middle School 1305 E Sugnet Rd, Midland, MI 48642 1950 Vikings https://nms.midlandps.orgHigh Schools (Grades 9-12) Herbert Henry Dow High School 3901 N Saginaw Rd, Midland, MI 48640 1967 Chargers https://dhs.midlandps.org Midland High School 1301 Eastlawn Dr, Midland, MI 48642 1955 Chemics https://mhs.midlandps.org Windover Alternative High School 919 Smith Rd, Midland, MI 48642 1988 Bulldogs https://windover.orgOther facilities MPS Administration Center 600 E Carpenter St, Midland, MI 48640 1969 https://www.midlandps.org/home Central Auditorium 305 E. Reardon St, Midland, MI 48640 1937 https://aud.midlandps.org/ Grounds Building 411 E. Hines St, Midland, MI 48640 1984 Transportation/Maintenance 410 E. Hines St, Midland, MI 48640 1965 Industrial/Storage 215 Fast Ice Dr, Midland, MI 48640 2010 Midland Community Stadium 2600 Washington St, Midland, MI 48642 1958 Concession stand 1987 Visitors Locker room 2019 Press box

Former schools + Former Schools in Midland Public Schools DistrictElementary schools (Grades K-5) School name Address Opened Closed Disposition Info Ashman School 2900 Dauer St 19501968 vacant Carpenter Street Elementary 1407 W Carpenter St 19262017 Pre-Primary Chippewassee Elementary 3018 Avon St19592011 Windover Alternative Cook Elementary 5500 Perrine Rd 19572010 demo 2015 Eastlawn Elementary 115 Eastlawn Dr 19472017demo 2020 Glasgow Elementary 390 Vance Rd 1961 2010 demolished Longview Elementary 337 Lemke St 19482010Early Childhood Center Mapleton Elementary 4729 E Smiths Crossing 19311986demo 2020 Midland Elementary 305 E Reardon St 19081957demolished Mills Elementary 3329 E. Baker Rd 19532010 sold 2018 Parkdale Elementary 1609 Eastlawn Dr19562010demo 2015 State Street Elementary 815 State St 19191976demo 2022 science resource center 1990 Sugnet Elementary 3917 Jefferson Ave 19491987MCESA Windover Elementary Homer Rd 194919841987 Windover Alternative Middle schools (Grades 6-8) School name Address Opened Closed Disposition Info Midland Junior High School 305 E Reardon St 1917 1950 demo 1957 formerly Central High School Central Intermediate 1400 Rodd Street 1956 2016 demo 2016 formerly Midland High School #1High Schools (Grades 9-12) Union School 205 E Grove St 18721907destroyed Central High School 305 E Reardon St 19081937 Midland Elementary Midland High School #1 1400 Rodd Street 19371955Central Intermediate

Demographics The demographic breakdown of the 7,436 students enrolled in 2022-23 was: White – 90% Hispanic or Latino – 4% Black or African American – 2% American Indian/Alaska Native – <1% Asian – 3% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – <1% Two or More Races – 3% Other - 2%

MPS-TV The school district has its own community cable and IPTV Public-access television channel known as 'MPS-TV which began on March 17, 2003. Community surveys showed that residents supported educational CATV, prompting a partnership between the city of Midland, MPS, Charter Communications and AT&T U-Verse. Initial costs were covered by franchise fees paid to the city.

Athletic facilities Midland Community Stadium, which seats 7,500, is located next door to Midland High School, but is shared by both schools as their home field for football & soccer games and track meets. Dow High School has a field with limited seating and no lighting that is used primarily for daytime junior varsity contests. Dow High School has an indoor pool with spectator seating for 1,000 that is shared by both schools as their home pool.

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