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Downtown Jackson, MIPhoto: Phillip L. Hofmeister · CC BY 3.0
C
Schools in Jackson · Jackson Public Schools

Jackson’s public schools score below 73% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Jackson’s districts is 17%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Jackson, 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.

#657of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% 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
30%
▼ 15 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
17%
▼ 17 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
72%
▼ 10 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.4K
▲ 11% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.4
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
13
3,382 students on the public path
In brief

Jackson’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 451 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Jackson’s, its schools beat 16%, lower than their 27% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 88% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

72% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,407 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 Middle School at Parkside, then Jackson High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Queen of the Miraculous Medal School (private), St. John the Evangelist Elementary School (private) and St. Mary Star of the Sea School (private) are in town. South Central Michigan Virtual, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Jackson’s grade

C Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 27% of Michigan school districts, #657 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 27%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (451)Better than 16%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,930 test results and a graduating class of 365 could put Jackson anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 88% of Jackson’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,928 in math, 1,931 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–55 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to B
6–8Middle School at ParksideJackson Public SchoolsC−
9–12Jackson High SchoolJackson Public SchoolsB−

Jackson’s public schools are run by Jackson Public Schools, which also serves Summit. 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.

Jackson Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 12 schools · 4,310 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 15.4 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$18,407MI $16,528 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading30%
State average 45.4% · 1931 students tested
Math17%
State average 33.6% · 1928 students tested

Jackson vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
JacksonCJackson
SummitCJackson
LeoniCMichigan Center PK–12 · East Jackson K–12
BlackmanC+Northwest

Every school in Jackson

14 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 Jacksonby address
Hunt Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
366 students14:1Rate it →
Cascades Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
D
398 students14:1Rate it →
Northeast Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
D
396 students14:1Rate it →
Sharp Park Academy
Elementary · Grades K–5
B
337 students18:1Rate it →
JPS Montessori Center
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
146 students17:1Rate it →
Middle School at Parkside
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
750 students15:1Rate it →
Jackson High School
High · Grades 9–12
B−
989 students17:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Fourth Street Learning Center
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
Alternative Education
27 students9:1Rate it →
Jackson Pathways
High · Grades 9–12
C−
Alternative Education
77 students15:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Jacksonrun by other districts or the state
Jackson ISD Local Based Special Education Programs
Grades PK–12
B−
Special Education
240 students3:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Jacksonnot counted as local schools
South Central Michigan Virtual
Grades K–12
C−
Online
402 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Queen of the Miraculous Medal School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Catholic
322 students16:1Rate it →
St. John the Evangelist Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Catholic
185 students13:1Rate it →
St. Mary Star of the Sea School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Catholic
119 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Jackson County Jail, Youth Home Jackson ISD and Local Based Special Education Early Childhood Programs).

Questions about Jackson’s schools

Are Jackson’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Jackson children attend score below 73% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #657 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 16%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Jackson in?

Jackson Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,310 students in 12 schools (2024–25).

Where do Jackson kids go to high school?

Jackson High School, with 989 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Jackson’s graduation rate?

72% of the class of 2023 in Jackson Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Jackson spend per student?

$18,407 in Jackson Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Jackson?

Yes: Queen of the Miraculous Medal School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 322 students), St. John the Evangelist Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 185 students) and St. Mary Star of the Sea School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 119 students).

Parents talk

What Jackson families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Jackson → 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.