Best Public Schools in Ann Arbor, MI

The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan is home to 40 schools, including 22 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 5 alternative schools, all part of the highly-ranked Ann Arbor Public Schools district. The district is ranked 71 out of 613 districts in Michigan and has a 4-star rating, indicating strong academic performance overall.

Several schools in the district stand out for their exceptional performance. Skyline High School is ranked 12th out of 739 Michigan high schools and has a 5-star rating, with 68.2% of 11th graders proficient or better in M-Step Science and 82.9% proficient or better in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Community High School is ranked 6th out of 739 Michigan high schools and also has a 5-star rating, with 70.2% of 11th graders proficient or better in M-Step Science and 91.1% proficient or better in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. At the elementary level, Angell School is ranked 8th out of 1,488 Michigan elementary schools and has a 5-star rating, with 80% of 3rd graders proficient or better in M-Step English Language Arts and 90.2% of 5th graders proficient or better. Bach Elementary School is ranked 27th out of 1,488 Michigan elementary schools and also has a 5-star rating, with 77.2% of 3rd graders proficient or better in M-Step English Language Arts and 78.9% proficient or better in M-Step Math.

While the district overall outperforms state averages, the data reveals significant variation in school performance, with some schools struggling with high chronic absenteeism rates and lower test scores. Factors such as socioeconomic status, as measured by free and reduced lunch rates, appear to correlate with academic outcomes, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions and support for underperforming schools. The presence of high-performing magnet schools, like Skyline High School, also suggests that school choice and specialized programs can play a role in driving academic excellence within the district.