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.^[5] The Niche website scored MPS as an "A-" and the top school district among 22 districts in the Saginaw Area.^[6] Only 34 school districts offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Michigan; MPS is one of them.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9] 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.^[9] 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.^[9]

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.^[8]

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,^[10] 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.^[8] 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.

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.^[11] The board holds monthly public meetings at the Midland Public Schools Administration Center on Carpenter Street.^[12]

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.^[13]

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.^[14] Parkdale Elementary was demolished in December 2015 and left a green space.^[15]

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.^[16][17]

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.^[18]

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.^[19] 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.^[20] with students also going to Central Park Elementary.^[19]

Franklin Center was torn down in February 2020.^[21]

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.^[22][23]

The demographic breakdown of the 7,436 students enrolled in 2022-23 was:^[36]

• 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%

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.^[37]

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.^[38] 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.

• Dow High School
• Midland High School
• Midland Community Stadium

• Official website