Ithaca Downtown Historic District · Photo: H. G. Zimmerman & Co · Public domainIthaca’s public schools outscore 73% of Michigan districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Ithaca, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Ithaca, 92% of each class finishes high school in four years, above the Michigan average (82%). 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 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.
Ithaca’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1176 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ithaca’s, its schools beat 80%, higher than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 47% and math 35% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,592 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school
From grade 3 the district’s path is North Elementary School, then Ithaca High School. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ithaca SDA School (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.
What’s behind Ithaca’s grade
B+: better than 73% of Michigan school districts, #289 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ithaca, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Ithaca
South Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 234 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Ithaca
South Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 234 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Ithaca
South Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 234 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Ithaca
South Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 234 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ithaca
Ithaca High School
Grades 7–12 · 442 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ithaca
Ithaca High School
Grades 7–12 · 442 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ithaca
Ithaca High School
Grades 7–12 · 442 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ithaca
Ithaca High School
Grades 7–12 · 442 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ithaca
Ithaca High School
Grades 7–12 · 442 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ithaca
Ithaca High School
Grades 7–12 · 442 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Ithaca’s public schools are run by Ithaca Public Schools, which also serves Arcada, Emerson, Hamilton and Lafayette 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.
Above the state in reading
Ithaca vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Ithaca’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | B+ | Ithaca |
| North Star | — | Ithaca |
| Emerson | — | Ithaca PK–12 · St. Louis PK–12 |
| Newark | B | Ithaca PK–12 · Fulton Schools PK–12 |
| Arcada | B | Alma PK–12 · Ithaca PK–12 |
All 4 neighbors share Ithaca with Ithaca, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Ithaca
4 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).
Questions about Ithaca’s schools
Are Ithaca’s schools good?
By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Ithaca children attend outscore 73% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #289 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ithaca in?
Ithaca Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 971 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
What is Ithaca’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Ithaca Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Ithaca spend per student?
$14,592 in Ithaca Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ithaca?
Yes: Ithaca SDA School (religious, grades K–7, 14 students).
Parents talk
What Ithaca families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ithaca → 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.