By: Joseph Poulos

North Muskegon – The Michigan Department of Education has just released the PSAT standardized test results for
the 2025-2026 school year and North Muskegon’s eighth grade class ranks number one in the
county with a reading proficiency score of 78.3%.

With the state-wide average of eighth grade reading proficiency being reported as 65.3%, these
new results place North Muskegon in a league of their own with a 13% margin.
Dr. Curt Babcock, Superintendent of North Muskegon Public Schools, was elated about the
results.

“We are extremely proud of our students and staff for all of their hard work,” Babcock said. “We
strive to continue building on our tradition of educational excellence and recognition such as this
helps prove our efforts are paying off for our entire school community!”

The county itself also performed well when compared to the national average. The top three
schools in Muskegon County for eighth-grade reading proficiency are as follows:

1. North Muskegon 78.3%
2. Mona Shores 72.1%
3. Montague 70.6%

All three schools are currently listed above both the national and state averages. With reading
scores across the country on a historic decline, these latest results prove to be a bright point for
several Muskegon County systems. The most recent results from National Assessment of
Educational Progress (NAEP) delivered a harrowing report by contrast, indicating that only 30%
of eighth graders nationwide read at or above the proficient level.

These numbers have long been the norm for Michigan too. According to a Chalkbeat analysis,
only 44% of students in Michigan grades 3-8 are considered proficient in reading.