Okemos High School

Okemos High School is a top-ranked public high school in the affluent suburb of Okemos, MI, serving 1,496 students in grades 9-12 within the Okemos Public Schools district. The school consistently ranks among the top 20 high schools in Michigan (currently #21 out of 800) and holds a 5-star rating, with academic proficiency rates that are roughly double the state average in nearly every subject.

For parents, the standout feature is the school's exceptional academic performance. In the 2025-2026 school year, 77.8% of students were proficient in SAT Reading & Writing (state: 52.1%) and 56.1% in SAT Math (state: 26.5%). The graduation rate is 93.4%, well above the state's 84.0%, and the dropout rate is just 2.2%. What's particularly encouraging is that Okemos performs strongly across all student subgroups—including low-income students, who rank in the 95th percentile statewide—suggesting effective instruction school-wide. When compared to nearby Haslett High School, its closest suburban peer, Okemos outperforms it in every measurable category, from SAT scores to science and social studies proficiency. The gap is even more pronounced when compared to East Lansing High School, where Okemos posts a 20-point advantage in math proficiency.

Two areas warrant attention. First, chronic absenteeism has risen to 20.2% (up from 16.5% the prior year), which is surprisingly high for a school with such strong outcomes and could threaten future performance if not addressed. Second, while the school spends efficiently—about $14,684 per student, or $5,000–$8,000 less than nearby Lansing schools like Everett High School or Eastern High School—it still produces dramatically superior results. This suggests the school's success is driven by a rigorous academic culture and strong community support rather than high spending. Overall, Okemos High School offers an elite education with a proven track record, making it a benchmark for public high school excellence in the Lansing region.