Best High Schools in Howell, MI

There are four high schools serving grades 9-12 (with one also serving grade 6) in Howell, Michigan, spanning two districts: Howell Public Schools and Hartland Consolidated Schools.

For parents, the standout choice for traditional academics is Howell High School, the largest school with nearly 2,000 students. It is the clear academic leader, ranking in the 77th percentile statewide and outperforming state averages in nearly every subject, including a 62.5% proficiency rate in SAT reading and writing. It also has a strong 94.7% graduation rate and a relatively low 23.8% chronic absenteeism rate. In contrast, Innovation Academy, also in Howell Public Schools, serves a very different population with a 50% free/reduced lunch rate. While it posts an impressive 97.7% graduation rate with zero dropouts, its test scores lag far behind the district average, suggesting it excels at keeping at-risk students on track to graduate rather than pushing high test scores. Legacy High School in Hartland Consolidated Schools presents a paradox: it spends the most per student at $20,231 but has the weakest outcomes, including a 66.2% chronic absenteeism rate and a 7.4% dropout rate, indicating significant engagement challenges despite high investment. Hartland Virtual Academy is a tiny virtual school with only 22 students and almost no public academic data, making it impossible to fairly evaluate.

Key takeaways for families include a clear divide within Howell Public Schools, where the traditional high school serves a more affluent population and achieves much higher test scores than the alternative academy. Mathematics is a universal challenge, with even the top school showing only 29.3% proficiency on the SAT math section. Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue at the alternative schools, far exceeding the state average. Ultimately, Howell High School appears to offer the best combination of academic performance, graduation rate, and cost-effectiveness, while the smaller alternative schools seem to prioritize student persistence and completion over rigorous academic metrics.