Photo: Flavinista · CC BY-SA 4.0Ann Arbor’s public schools outscore 91% of Michigan districts
On the state math tests, 56% of Ann Arbor’s students scored proficient, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ann Arbor, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.
From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ann Arbor’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1059 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ann Arbor’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 91% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 65% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,439 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
19 elementary schools, then seven middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Central Academy, Green Hills School (private), St. Francis of Assisi School (private), Clonlara School (private), St. Paul Lutheran School (private), Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (private), The Discovery Center (private), Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor (private), County of Washtenaw (private), Summers-Knoll School (private), Doughty Montessori School (private) and Veritas Christi Catholic H.S. (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ann Arbor’s grade
A: better than 91% of Michigan school districts, #70 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ann Arbor, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School
Grades PK–8 · 614 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Ann Arbor’s public schools are run by Ann Arbor Public Schools, which also serves Ann Arbor, Barton Hills, Pittsfield and Scio and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Ann Arbor vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Ann Arbor’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | A | Ann Arbor |
| Scio | A | Ann Arbor PK–12 · Dexter PK–12 |
| Pittsfield | A | Ann Arbor PK–12 · Saline Area Schools K–12 |
| Barton Hills | — | Ann Arbor |
All 3 neighbors share Ann Arbor with Ann Arbor, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Ann Arbor
42 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Progress Park). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Ann Arbor’s schools
Are Ann Arbor’s schools good?
By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Ann Arbor children attend outscore 91% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #70 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ann Arbor in?
Ann Arbor Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,551 students in 32 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ann Arbor kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Huron High School, Pioneer High School, Skyline High School and Community High School.
What is Ann Arbor’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Ann Arbor Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Ann Arbor spend per student?
$19,439 in Ann Arbor Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ann Arbor?
Yes: Green Hills School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 692 students), St. Francis of Assisi School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 475 students), Clonlara School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 323 students), St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 319 students), Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 316 students), The Discovery Center (nonsectarian, grades PK, 92 students), Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor (religious, grades K–5, 56 students), County of Washtenaw (religious, grades K–5, 54 students), Summers-Knoll School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 50 students), Doughty Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 42 students) and Veritas Christi Catholic H.S. (Catholic, grades 9–12, 36 students). Ann Arbor also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Ann Arbor families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ann Arbor → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.