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Schools in Summit Township · Jackson Public Schools

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

In Summit Township, 17% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Summit Township, 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
8
2,161 students on the public path
In brief

Summit Township’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1222 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Summit Township’s, its schools beat 7%, 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 ↓

Two 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

Paragon Charter Academy, Jackson Preparatory Early College, Lumen Christi Catholic School (private) and Jackson Christian Elementary School (private) are in town. Vandercook Lake 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Summit Township’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 (1222)Better than 7%
Towns in Jackson County (19)Better than 0%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,930 test results and a graduating class of 365 could put Summit Township anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 88% of Summit Township’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 Summit Township, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC
6–8Middle School at Parksidein JacksonC−
9–12Jackson High Schoolin JacksonB−

Summit Township’s public schools are run by Jackson Public Schools, which also serves Jackson. Parts of Summit Township (17% and 4% of its land) are served by Vandercook Lake and Hanover-Horton Schools 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.

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

Summit Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Summit TownshipCJackson
JacksonCJackson
BlackmanC+Northwest
Spring ArborA−Western PK–12 · Concord K–12
LibertyB+Hanover-Horton Schools PK–12 · Columbia PK–12
LeoniCMichigan Center PK–12 · East Jackson K–12
NapoleonBNapoleon

Every school in Summit Township

11 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 Summit Townshipby address
Dibble Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Jackson
C
282 students17:1Rate it →
John R Lewis Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Jackson
140 students14:1Rate it →
Also serving Summit Townshipin other towns
Middle School at Parkside
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Jackson
C−
750 students15:1Rate it →
Jackson High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Jackson
B−
989 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Paragon Charter Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Jackson
B
Charter
627 students18:1Rate it →
Jackson Preparatory Early College
High · Grades 6–12 · Jackson
B−
Charter
260 students20:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Summit Townshiprun by other districts or the state
Townsend Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Jackson
C−
316 students18:1Rate it →
Vandercook Lake High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Jackson
C−
258 students14:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Summit Townshipnot counted as local schools
Vandercook Lake Virtual Academy
Grades 1–12 · Jackson
OnlineAlternative Education
55 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Lumen Christi Catholic School
High · Grades 7–12 · Jackson
Private · Catholic
450 students12:1Rate it →
Jackson Christian Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Jackson
Private · Religious
148 students17:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Jackson Area Career Center).

Questions about Summit Township’s schools

Are Summit Township’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Summit Township 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 7%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Summit Township in?

Jackson Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,310 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Summit Township are served by Vandercook Lake and Hanover-Horton Schools.

Where do Summit Township kids go to high school?

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

What is Summit Township’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Summit Township 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 Summit Township?

Yes: Lumen Christi Catholic School (Catholic, grades 7–12, 450 students) and Jackson Christian Elementary School (religious, grades PK–5, 148 students). Summit Township also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Summit Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Summit Township → 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.