Photo: Andrew Martin · CC BY 3.0Lansing’s public schools score below 80% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 8% of Lansing’s students scored proficient, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving 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 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.
Lansing’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 919 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lansing’s, its schools beat 5%, lower than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 18% of tested students were proficient in reading and 8% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $20,420 per student in FY2024, against $16,528 across Michigan. 21% of its revenue that year was federal (Michigan 9%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
15 elementary schools, then four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cole Academy, MidMichigan Leadership Academy, Holly Park Academy, Lansing Catholic High School (private), Montessori Childrens House (private), Immaculate Heart of Mary (private), Emanuel Lutheran School (private) and Lansing Baptist School (private) are in town. Lansing Learning Hub and Capital Area K12 Online, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Lansing’s grade
C−: better than 20% of Michigan school districts, #676 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lansing, with each school’s own grade.
Lansing’s public schools are run by Lansing Public School District, which also serves DeWitt and Lansing. Parts of Lansing (5%, 2% and 2% of its land) are served by Grand Ledge, Okemos and Holt 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
Lansing vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Lansing’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing | C− | Lansing Public |
| Lansing Township | C− | Waverly PK–12 · Lansing Public PK–12 |
| East Lansing | A− | East Lansing |
| Delta | B+ | Waverly PK–12 · Grand Ledge K–12 |
| DeWitt | C+ | Lansing Public PK–12 · Bath PK–12 · DeWitt PK–12 |
| Delhi | B+ | Mason PK–12 · Holt K–12 |
| Windsor | B− | Eaton Rapids PK–12 · Holt K–12 |
2 of the 6 neighbors share Lansing Public with Lansing, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lansing
32 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: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Ingham County Youth Center, Hill Center, Newcomer Center and SAIL Lansing).
Questions about Lansing’s schools
Are Lansing’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lansing children attend score below 80% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #676 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lansing in?
Lansing Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,781 students in 24 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Lansing are served by Grand Ledge, Okemos and Holt.
Where do Lansing kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Everett High School, Eastern High School, JW Sexton High School and Lansing Technical High School.
What is Lansing’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in Lansing Public School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Lansing spend per student?
$20,420 in Lansing Public School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lansing?
Yes: Lansing Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 408 students), Montessori Childrens House (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 112 students), Immaculate Heart of Mary (Catholic, grades K–8, 110 students), Emanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 80 students) and Lansing Baptist School (religious, grades 3–9, 5 students). Lansing also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lansing families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near 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.