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Downtown Ferndale MI (2020)Photo: Lrgjr72 · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−
Schools in Ferndale · Ferndale Public Schools, Hazel Park City School District

Ferndale’s public schools score below 81% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Ferndale’s districts is 15%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Ferndale, 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.

#677of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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
29%
▼ 16 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
15%
▼ 19 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
69%
▼ 13 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.0K
▼ 9% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024 · Ferndale
Students per teacher
15.7
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
2,064 students on the public path
In brief

Ferndale’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 778 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ferndale’s, its schools beat 2%, lower than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Ferndale runs its own schools through grade 12, then shares

Webb Elementary School (PK–5) is Ferndale’s own. From grade K, students attend the Ferndale Public Schools with Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak: Ferndale Middle School. See the path ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Ferndale spends $15,020 per student and Hazel Park City $22,396, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Ferndale Montessori Center (private) is 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 Ferndale’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 19% of Michigan school districts, #677 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 19%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (778)Better than 2%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,335 test results and a graduating class of 404 could put Ferndale anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Ferndale’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,338 in math, 2,331 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Webb Elementary SchoolHazel Park City School DistrictC−
6–8Ferndale Middle SchoolFerndale Public SchoolsC−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressD to B

Ferndale runs its own schools through grade 12 (Hazel Park City School District). From grade K, students attend the Ferndale Public Schools, shared with Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Ferndale

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Ferndale Public SchoolsGrades K–12 · 6 schools · 3,102 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 18.4 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$15,020MI $16,528 · FY2024
C
Hazel Park City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 2,899 students · 13.0 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$22,396MI $16,528 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · K–12, Ferndale Public Schools35%
State average 45.4% · 1225 students tested
Math · K–12, Ferndale Public Schools17%
State average 33.6% · 1229 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Hazel Park City School District23%
State average 45.4% · 1106 students tested
Math · PK–12, Hazel Park City School District12%
State average 33.6% · 1109 students tested

Ferndale vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FerndaleC−Hazel Park City PK–12 · Ferndale K–12
Oak ParkDOak Park City
Hazel ParkDHazel Park City
Royal OakC−Oak Park City PK–12 · Ferndale K–12
Royal Oak (city)A−Royal Oak City
Pleasant RidgeCFerndale
DetroitC−Detroit Public Schools Community District

2 of the 6 neighbors share Ferndale with Ferndale for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Ferndale

7 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 Ferndaleby address
Webb Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
328 students11:1Rate it →
Ferndale Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
528 students17:1Rate it →
Ferndale High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
739 students17:1Rate it →
University High School
High · Grades 9–12
D
469 students22:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Jardon Vocational School
Grades PK–12
Special Education
34 students5:1Rate it →
Edison
Grades K–12
C−
Special Education
65 students7:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Ferndale Montessori Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
62 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Ferndale’s schools

Are Ferndale’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ferndale children attend score below 81% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #677 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 2%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Ferndale in?

Two districts: Hazel Park City School District runs grades PK–12, and Ferndale Public Schools runs grades K–12, shared with Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak.

Where do Ferndale kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Ferndale High School and University High School.

What is Ferndale’s graduation rate?

69% of the class of 2023 in Ferndale Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Ferndale spend per student?

$15,020 in Ferndale Public Schools and $22,396 in Hazel Park City School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Ferndale?

Yes: Ferndale Montessori Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 62 students).

Parents talk

What Ferndale families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ferndale → 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.