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John W. Hunter HouseJohn W. Hunter House · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0
A+
Schools in Birmingham · Birmingham City School District

Birmingham’s public schools outscore 96% of Michigan districts

On the state math tests, 61% of Birmingham’s students scored proficient, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Birmingham, 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.

#14of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
71%
▲ 26 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
61%
▲ 27 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
97%
▲ 15 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.3K
▲ 29% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.7
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
2,639 students on the public path
In brief

Birmingham’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 78 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Birmingham’s, its schools beat 77%, lower than their 96% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 71% and math 61% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,253 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Derby Middle School, then Ernest W Seaholm High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Our Shepherd Lutheran School & Preschool (private) and Brightmont Academy Birmingham (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Birmingham’s grade

A+ Test scoresA Graduation

A+: better than 96% of Michigan school districts, #14 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (78)Better than 77%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,762 test results and a graduating class of 659 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Birmingham’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,770 in math, 3,754 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Birmingham, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA
6–8Derby Middle SchoolBirmingham City School DistrictA
9–12Ernest W Seaholm High SchoolBirmingham City School DistrictA+

Birmingham’s public schools are run by Birmingham City School District, which also serves Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Bloomfield and Franklin 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.

Birmingham City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 13 schools · 7,217 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 15.7 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$21,253MI $16,528 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading71%
State average 45.4% · 3754 students tested
Math61%
State average 33.6% · 3770 students tested

Birmingham vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Birmingham’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BirminghamA+Birmingham City
BloomfieldA+Bloomfield Hills PK–12 · Birmingham City PK–12
TroyA+Troy

Every school in Birmingham

6 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).

District schools in Birminghamby address
Pierce Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
556 students16:1Rate it →
Quarton Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
371 students16:1Rate it →
Derby Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
631 students16:1Rate it →
Ernest W Seaholm High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,081 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Our Shepherd Lutheran School & Preschool
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
191 students21:1Rate it →
Brightmont Academy Birmingham
Grades 2–12
Private · Nonsectarian
51 students5:1Rate it →

Questions about Birmingham’s schools

Are Birmingham’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Birmingham children attend outscore 96% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #14 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Birmingham in?

Birmingham City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,217 students in 13 schools (2024–25).

Where do Birmingham kids go to high school?

Ernest W Seaholm High School, with 1,081 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Birmingham’s graduation rate?

97% of the class of 2023 in Birmingham City School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Birmingham spend per student?

$21,253 in Birmingham City School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Birmingham?

Yes: Our Shepherd Lutheran School & Preschool (religious, grades K–8, 191 students) and Brightmont Academy Birmingham (nonsectarian, grades 2–12, 51 students).

Parents talk

What Birmingham families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Birmingham → 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.