Photo: Lrgjr72 · CC BY-SA 4.0Pontiac’s public schools score below 90% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
In Pontiac, 10% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pontiac, 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.
Pontiac’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 439 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pontiac’s, its schools beat 2%, lower than their 10% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 17% of tested students were proficient in reading and 10% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
56% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓
Charters enroll a large share of students
Charter schools located in Pontiac enroll 2,432 students, against the district’s 3,773. 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 $24,507 per student in FY2024, against $16,528 across Michigan. 20% of its revenue that year was federal (Michigan 9%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Pontiac Middle School, then Pontiac High School. 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 Pontiac’s grade
D: better than 10% of Michigan school districts, #690 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 Pontiac, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Pontiac · depends on your address
Pontiac Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 790 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Owen Elementary School
Grades K–6 · 383 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Herrington School
Grades K–6 · 319 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Pontiac
Pontiac Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 790 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Pontiac
Pontiac Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 790 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Pontiac
Pontiac High School
Grades 9–12 · 992 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pontiac
Pontiac High School
Grades 9–12 · 992 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Pontiac
Pontiac High School
Grades 9–12 · 992 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Pontiac
Pontiac High School
Grades 9–12 · 992 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Pontiac’s public schools are run by Pontiac City School District, which also serves Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus and Sylvan Lake. 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
Pontiac vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Pontiac’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pontiac | D | Pontiac City |
| Auburn Hills | D | Pontiac City |
| Bloomfield | A+ | Bloomfield Hills PK–12 · Birmingham City PK–12 |
| Waterford | B− | Waterford |
| Lake Angelus | — | Pontiac City PK–12 · Waterford PK–12 |
| Sylvan Lake | D | Pontiac City |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Pontiac City with Pontiac, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Pontiac
17 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 (Clarkston Project Search, Bethune Adult Education, Pontiac Academy for Student Success and Oakland Schools Technical CampusNE).
Questions about Pontiac’s schools
Are Pontiac’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pontiac children attend score below 90% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #690 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 2%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pontiac in?
Pontiac City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,773 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pontiac kids go to high school?
Pontiac High School, with 992 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Pontiac’s graduation rate?
56% of the class of 2023 in Pontiac City School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Pontiac spend per student?
$24,507 in Pontiac City School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pontiac?
Yes: Notre Dame Preparatory School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,128 students), Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,046 students), Notre Dame Preparatory School & Marist Academy (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,045 students), Saving Our Community Korporation (religious, grades K–5, 40 students) and Baldwin Road Church Academy (religious, grades 1–12, 10 students). Pontiac also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Pontiac families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pontiac → 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.