Saugatuck Public Schools
Annual Education Report
February 9, 2026
Dear Parents and Community Members:
We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER), which provides key information on the 2024-2025 educational progress for Saugatuck Public Schools and our schools. The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and some requirements of state laws. Our staff is available to help you understand this information. Please contact Mr. Mark Neidlinger, Superintendent for help if you need assistance.
The DISTRICT AER is available for you to review electronically by visiting the following website at https://www.mischooldata.org/k-12-data-files/ or you may review a copy in the main office at your child’s school. Each school will also be communicating their own AER to parents directly.
These reports contain the following information:
Student Assessment Data
- Includes the following three assessments: M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress), MI-Access (Alternate Assessment), and College Board SAT
- Presents assessment information for English language arts and mathematics for grades 3 to 8 and 11, and MI-Access science for grades 4, 7, and 11, compared to state averages for all students as well as subgroups of students.
School Accountability Data
- Includes information on schools’ performance on various measures such as student proficiency and growth on state assessments, graduation, and attendance rates. Performance is measured on 0-100 index scales
- Reports schools identified under three federally required categories for further support: Comprehensive Support and Improvement, Targeted Support and Improvement, and Additional Targeted Support
Educator Qualification Data
- Identifies the number and percentage of inexperienced teachers, principals, and other school leaders
- Reports teachers who are teaching with emergency or provisional credentials
- Includes teachers who are not teaching in the subject or field for which they are certified
NAEP Data (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
- Provides state results of the national assessment in mathematics and reading every other year in grades 4 and 8
Civil Rights Data
- Provides information on school quality, climate, and safety
Review the table below listing our schools. For the 2023-24 school year, schools were identified based on previous years’ performance using definitions and labels as required in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). A Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) school is one that had at least one underperforming student subgroup in 2024-25. An Additional Targeted Support (ATS) school is one that had a student subgroup performing at the same level as the lowest 5% of all schools in the state in 2024-25. A Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school is one whose performance was in the lowest 5% of all schools in the state or had a graduation rate at or below 67% in 2024-25. Some schools are not identified with any of these labels. In these cases, no status label is given.
| School Name | Status Label
| Key Initiative to Accelerate Achievement
|
| Douglas Elementary | Does Not Apply | Does Not Apply |
| Saugatuck Middle School | Does Not Apply | Does Not Apply |
| Saugatuck High School | Does Not Apply | Does Not Apply |
Saugatuck Public Schools continues a strong tradition of excellence in instruction and high student achievement. I am proud of the steady progress we see across our district and the commitment our staff brings to helping students build skills, confidence, and resilience each day.
Douglas Elementary School, Saugatuck Middle School, and Saugatuck High School have once again been designated as Reward Schools by the Michigan Department of Education. This recognition reflects our shared focus on creating learning environments where students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to persevere.
One of our greatest strengths is the close-knit nature of our district. Our size allows us to build strong relationships, ensure students are well known and seen, and provide the personalized support students need to grow such as academically, socially, and emotionally.
One of our greatest strengths is the close-knit nature of our district. Our size allows us to build strong relationships, ensure students are well known and seen, and provide the personalized support students need to grow such as academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our work is guided by our five-year Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening academic supports, expanding college, career, and life readiness, fostering inclusive learning environments, and developing the whole child.
With strong community support, renewed millages, and a completed bond project, we have improved our facilities and created learning spaces that support creativity, collaboration, and continued growth.
We are grateful for our parent organizations and community partners who enrich student experiences and help reinforce the values of service, responsibility, and persistence.
A recent U.S. News & World Report ranking placed Saugatuck High School first in the metropolitan area and 46th in Michigan, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, families, and community.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding opportunities and strengthening our district along the shores of Lake Michigan, preparing students not only for success, but for life.
Thank you for your continued support of Saugatuck Public Schools.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mark Neidlinger
Superintendent
Saugatuck High School