Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0Manistee’s public schools outscore 57% of Michigan districts
39% of students in Manistee’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Manistee, 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 98% 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.
Manistee’s schools, in brief
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 43% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,150 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary and one middle school
From grade 3 the district’s path is John F Kennedy Elem School, then Manistee Middle High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Casman Alternative Academy and Trinity Lutheran School (private) are in town. Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, 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.
What’s behind Manistee’s grade
B: better than 57% of Michigan school districts, #445 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores are above the Michigan average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Manistee, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Manistee
Thomas Jefferson Elem School
Grades K–2 · 292 students · 18:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Manistee
Thomas Jefferson Elem School
Grades K–2 · 292 students · 18:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Manistee
Thomas Jefferson Elem School
Grades K–2 · 292 students · 18:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Manistee
John F Kennedy Elem School
Grades 3–5 · 270 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Manistee
John F Kennedy Elem School
Grades 3–5 · 270 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Manistee
John F Kennedy Elem School
Grades 3–5 · 270 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Manistee
Manistee Middle High School
Grades 6–12 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Manistee’s public schools are run by Manistee Area Schools, which also serves Eastlake, Filer, Manistee and Stronach. 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.
Below the state in reading
Manistee vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Manistee’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Manistee | B | Manistee Area Schools |
| Filer | B | Manistee Area Schools |
| Manistee Township | B | Manistee Area Schools K–12 · Onekama Consolidated Schools K–12 |
| Stronach | — | Kaleva Norman Dickson K–12 · Manistee Area Schools K–12 |
| Eastlake | — | Manistee Area Schools |
All 4 neighbors share Manistee Area Schools with Manistee, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Manistee
6 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 Manistee’s schools
Are Manistee’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Michigan: the public schools Manistee children attend outscore 57% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #445 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 54%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Manistee in?
Manistee Area Schools, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,247 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
What is Manistee’s graduation rate?
75–79% of the class of 2023 in Manistee Area Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Manistee spend per student?
$15,150 in Manistee Area Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Manistee?
Yes: Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–5, 27 students). Manistee also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Manistee families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Manistee → 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.