Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0East Lansing’s public schools outscore 82% of Michigan districts
Math proficiency in East Lansing’s districts is 43%, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving East Lansing, 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 97% 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.
East Lansing’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 491 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of East Lansing’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 82% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,447 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is MacDonald Middle School, then East Lansing High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cole Academy East, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School (private), Greater Lansing Islamic School (private) and Stepping Stones Montessori School (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 East Lansing’s grade
A−: better than 82% of Michigan school districts, #172 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 East Lansing, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in East Lansing
MacDonald Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 857 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in East Lansing
MacDonald Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 857 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in East Lansing
MacDonald Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 857 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in East Lansing
East Lansing High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,231 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in East Lansing
East Lansing High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,231 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in East Lansing
East Lansing High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,231 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in East Lansing
East Lansing High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,231 students · 22:1 students per teacher
East Lansing’s public schools are run by East Lansing School District. Parts of East Lansing (16% and 11% of its land) are served by Bath and Lansing Public instead. 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
East Lansing vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share East Lansing’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| East Lansing | A− | East Lansing |
| Lansing | C− | Lansing Public |
| Meridian | A | Okemos PK–12 · Haslett PK–12 |
| DeWitt | C+ | Lansing Public PK–12 · Bath PK–12 · DeWitt PK–12 |
| Bath | A− | Bath |
| Lansing Township | C− | Waverly PK–12 · Lansing Public PK–12 |
Every school in East Lansing
11 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Project SEARCH and Ingham ISD ASD Programs).
Questions about East Lansing’s schools
Are East Lansing’s schools good?
By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools East Lansing children attend outscore 82% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #172 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 East Lansing in?
East Lansing School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,702 students in 8 schools (2024–25). Small parts of East Lansing are served by Bath and Lansing Public.
Where do East Lansing kids go to high school?
East Lansing High School, with 1,231 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is East Lansing’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in East Lansing School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does East Lansing spend per student?
$14,447 in East Lansing School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in East Lansing?
Yes: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 337 students), Greater Lansing Islamic School (religious, grades PK–8, 199 students) and Stepping Stones Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 71 students). East Lansing also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What East Lansing families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near East Lansing → 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.