Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Saginaw’s public schools score below 71% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Saginaw’s districts is 15%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Saginaw, 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.
Saginaw’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 202 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Saginaw’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 29% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 22% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,812 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then two middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Francis Reh PSA, Saginaw Covenant Academy, Michigan Lutheran Seminary (private), St. Paul's Lutheran School (private), Holy Cross Lutheran School (private) and The New Millennium Academy (private) are 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 Saginaw’s grade
C: better than 29% of Michigan school districts, #648 of 699 Michigan towns. Graduation is above the Michigan average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Saginaw, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Thompson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 585 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Thompson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 585 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Thompson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 585 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Saginaw United High School
Grades 9–12 · 981 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Saginaw United High School
Grades 9–12 · 981 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Saginaw United High School
Grades 9–12 · 981 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Saginaw · depends on your address
Saginaw United High School
Grades 9–12 · 981 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Grades 6–12 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Saginaw’s public schools are run by Saginaw City School District, which also serves Buena Vista, Kochville and Zilwaukee. 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
Saginaw vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Saginaw’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Saginaw | C | Saginaw City |
| Spaulding | C− | Bridgeport-Spaulding |
| Buena Vista | C | Saginaw City PK–12 · Reese PK–12 |
| Saginaw Township | — | Saginaw Township |
| Bridgeport | C− | Bridgeport-Spaulding |
| James | A | Swan Valley |
| Carrollton | C | Carrollton |
Every school in Saginaw
21 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 Saginaw’s schools
Are Saginaw’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Saginaw children attend score below 71% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #648 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Saginaw in?
Saginaw City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,955 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
What is Saginaw’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Saginaw City School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Saginaw spend per student?
$18,812 in Saginaw City School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Saginaw?
Yes: Michigan Lutheran Seminary (religious, grades 9–12, 192 students), St. Paul's Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 100 students), Holy Cross Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 86 students) and The New Millennium Academy (religious, grades 3–12, 40 students). Saginaw also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Saginaw families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Saginaw → 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.