Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0Traverse City’s public schools outscore 80% of Michigan districts
45% of students in Traverse City’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Traverse City, 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 97% 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.
Traverse City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1192 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Traverse City’s, its schools beat 86%, higher than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,423 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one middle school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Central Grade School, then Central High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Francis High School (private), Trinity Lutheran School (private) and Traverse Bay Mennonite School (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 Traverse City’s grade
A−: better than 80% of Michigan school districts, #187 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Traverse City, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Traverse City
Central Grade School
Grades PK–7 · 510 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Traverse City
Central Grade School
Grades PK–7 · 510 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Traverse City
Central High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,326 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Traverse City
Central High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,326 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Traverse City
Central High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,326 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Traverse City
Central High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,326 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Traverse City
Central High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,326 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Traverse City’s public schools are run by Traverse City Area Public Schools, which also serves Acme, Blair, East Bay and Elmwood and others. 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 above the state in reading
Traverse City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Traverse City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | A− | Traverse City Area |
| Garfield | A− | Traverse City Area |
| Peninsula | A− | Traverse City Area |
| East Bay | A− | Traverse City Area |
| Elmwood | A− | Traverse City Area |
All 4 neighbors share Traverse City Area with Traverse City, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Traverse City
12 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (North EdCareer Tech).
Questions about Traverse City’s schools
Are Traverse City’s schools good?
By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Traverse City children attend outscore 80% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #187 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Traverse City in?
Traverse City Area Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,546 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
What is Traverse City’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Traverse City Area Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Traverse City spend per student?
$15,423 in Traverse City Area Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Traverse City?
Yes: St. Francis High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 337 students), Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 136 students) and Traverse Bay Mennonite School (religious, grades 2–12, 22 students).
Parents talk
What Traverse City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Traverse City → 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.