Durant-Dort Carriage Company Office · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0Flint’s public schools score below 98% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 2% of Flint’s students scored proficient, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Flint, 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 92% 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.
Flint’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 9% of tested students were proficient in reading and 2% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
35–39% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan (the state reports Flint’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Charters enroll nearly as many students as the district
Charter schools located in Flint enroll 2,365 students, against the district’s 2,541. Each is graded on its own results; none is part of the district grade. Every school ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $25,113 per student in FY2024, against $16,528 across Michigan. 60% of its revenue that year was federal (Michigan 9%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Holmes STEM Middle School Academy, then Southwestern Classical Academy. Enrollment is down 19% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Flint’s grade
D−: better than 2% of Michigan school districts, last of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; among the 181 Michigan towns with similar household incomes, Flint’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Flint, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Flint
Holmes STEM Middle School Academy
Grades 6–8 · 256 students · 26:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Flint
Holmes STEM Middle School Academy
Grades 6–8 · 256 students · 26:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Flint
Southwestern Classical Academy
Grades 9–12 · 464 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Flint
Southwestern Classical Academy
Grades 9–12 · 464 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Flint’s public schools are run by Flint City School District. Parts of Flint (5% and 4% of its land) are served by Carman-Ainsworth and Swartz Creek 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 below the state in reading
Flint vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Flint’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Flint | D− | Flint City |
| Flint Township | C | Carman-Ainsworth |
| Genesee | C | Kearsley PK–12 · Mount Morris Consolidated PK–12 |
| Mount Morris | C | Mount Morris Consolidated PK–12 · Flushing PK–12 · Westwood Heights Schools K–12 |
| Burton | C− | Atherton PK–12 · Bentley PK–12 |
| Mundy | B− | Swartz Creek PK–12 · Lake Fenton PK–12 · Carman-Ainsworth PK–12 |
Every school in Flint
24 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: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Pierce School, Kearsley Street, Whaley Children Centers, Genesee County Jail and The Learning CoOp).
Questions about Flint’s schools
Are Flint’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Flint children attend score below 98% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Flint in?
Flint City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,541 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Flint are served by Carman-Ainsworth and Swartz Creek.
Where do Flint kids go to high school?
Southwestern Classical Academy, with 464 students; its own test results earn a D.
What is Flint’s graduation rate?
35–39% of the class of 2023 in Flint City School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Flint spend per student?
$25,113 in Flint City School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Flint?
Yes: Luke M Powers Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 553 students), St. John Vianney Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 165 students) and St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 161 students). Flint also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Flint families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Flint → 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.