Michigan is home to the Great Lakes. It's also home to some of the finest educational institutions in the United States. From The University of Michigan to Michigan State University, the Great Lake State has no shortage of great schools.
However, when it comes to lower education, you may wonder what the best schools are, especially if you don't want to pay a pretty penny for a private school. In fact, some public schools in Michigan are higher ranked than public schools. The key is to know what public schools are the best.
Looking at Michigan's largest school districts can offer insight into what makes these schools unique. You'll have a better idea of where to send your kids to school or where to live based on the quality of the school district.
Detroit Public Schools Community School District
Michigan has about 539 school districts with approximately 1,300,144 students enrolled from elementary to high school. Some of these districts vary in size from hundreds to thousands. The eight largest school districts can give you an idea of your choices based on where you live.
Detroit Public Schools Community School District is the largest school district in Michigan, with 110 schools and 48,000 students. While Detroit is generally known for high crime, this school district has some excellent schools. For instance, Bate Academy and Chrysler Elementary School are some of the best elementary schools in this district.
Here are some of the schools that are in this district.
- 80 elementary and middle schools
- 29 high schools
Utica Community Schools
The second largest school district in Michigan is Utica Community Schools, with 38 schools and 25,000 students. It has a student-to-teacher ratio 20:1. Additionally, this district is ranked 42nd for Districts with the Best Teachers in Michigan.
Here's how the 33 schools are divided.
- 25 elementary and middle schools
- 7 high schools
- 4 high schools
Dearborn City School District
Dearborn City School District is third on the list of largest school districts, with 37 schools and 20,000 students. Henry Ford Early College and Howard Elementary School are the best schools in this district. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, while the state average is 17:1.
These are the elementary and high schools in the Dearborn City School District.
- 32 elementary and junior high schools
- 7 high schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools is another large school district with 32 schools and 17,000 students. According to Niche.com, it's also among the most highly rated school districts, offering a low student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. It's ranked as one of the best school districts in Michigan, ranking no. 8 in Michigan. It also ranks no. 34 for the most diverse districts in Michigan.
Here is how the elementary and high schools are divided in this district.
- 26 elementary school and junior high schools
- 6 high schools
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is also one of the largest school districts in Michigan, with 26 schools and 16,000 students. This is another top-notch school district known for its high marks in diversity and athletic education.
Here is how the schools are divided between elementary and high school.
- 22 elementary and middle schools
- 4 high schools
Rochester Community School District
The Rochester Community School District is one of the largest and the oldest, founded in 1916. It has 22 schools and 15,000 students. This district has some superb schools, with 60% of students proficient in math and 69% reading. Some of the top schools in this district include Musson Elementary School and University Hills Elementary School.
Here are the elementary and high schools in this school district.
- 17 elementary schools
- 5 high schools
Chippewa Valley Schools
The final district on this list is Chippewa Valley Schools. It has 22 schools and 14,000 students. This school district also has high marks for academic excellence. However, they have a higher-than-average student-to-teacher ratio of 22:1.
These are the schools that are part of this school district.
- 19 elementary schools
- 3 high schools
What District Should You Choose?
Choosing the right education is fundamentally important for any family. While public schools are free, they should still be looked at to see how the teachers are. Families should look at them for student-to-teacher ratios, graduation rates, and how they compare to other districts. It's an opportunity to give your child the best education.
While there's no perfect school, these schools represent how important education is for families living in part of Michigan. It shows what may be the best school for them.
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