2024 Best Elementary Schools in Michigan

The Complete Guide to Elementary Schools in Michigan

Families looking for the best educational opportunities for their children may want to consider Michigan. The state is home to more than 2,500 elementary schools and ranks 21st in the nation in terms of per capita enrollment, which is a full 5% more than the typical state. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as Michigan’s largest cities are Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Lansing.

Although there is certainly no shortage of possibilities, the average school grade in Michigan is a B, the same as the national average. Additionally, just 34% of all elementary schools in the state are ranked above average, meaning that searching for a good fit can be tough at times. Narrowing this total down further, if you include only schools that rank in the top 25% of the nation, that total slims to 553.

Are public elementary schools in Michigan a good option?

Michigan has 1,990 total public elementary schools and traditional public schools comprise 76% or about 1,508 of them. Unfortunately, just 43% of all such schools are rated above the national average, so nearly half wouldn’t qualify as an above average school - at least based on grades alone. This may be why the median grade for all Michigan public elementary schools is a B–.

What is the best public elementary school in Michigan?

Okemos Public Montessori School at Central is widely accepted as the best traditional public elementary school in Michigan. Located in Okemos (just outside Lansing), it boasts 305 students and has a student to teacher ratio of 16:1 - 14% higher than the typical US school. The school earns an A+ grade overall and keeps its students engaged through various teaching methods and targeted lesson plans.

Key statistics about charter elementary schools in Michigan

Are charter schools in Michigan a good option? This really depends on your preference as there are more than 250 different options (258 to be exact) across the state. Although far less prevalent than their traditional public school counterparts, the typical charter elementary school in Michigan scores a C grade - slightly below average on paper. However, remember that Michigan has 172% more charter schools per capita than the average state, so there are likely numerous potential fits for your family among this group.

What is the best charter elementary school in Michigan?

The highest ranked charter elementary school in Michigan is Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy located near Detroit’s western suburbs. With 803 students and an above average student to teacher ratio of 21:1 (50% higher than typical US schools), it has creative ways of keeping students engaged. That being said, parents should certainly better understand how class size can impact learning outcomes. Lastly, it's worth noting that as epxected, the school stands out amongst its peers with an A+ grade overall.

Everything you need to know about magnet elementary schools in Michigan

Despite being such a large state, there are only 224 magnet elementary schools in Michigan, placing it first in the nation for magnet schools per capita - an impressive feat indeed! The quality of these institutions varies greatly however with just 42% scoring above the national average B grade and around half scoring below it with a B– median grade overall. That’s why it’s important to assess each school separately when possible instead of trying to paint them with a broad brush based on overall numbers alone.

What is the best magnet elementary school in Michigan?

Gallimore Elementary School located near Canton south of Detroit has been awarded numerous accolades over its long history and is considered by many as one of the top magnet elementary schools in Michigan. It primarily serves 329 students with 14:1 ratio - exactly what you’d expect from a national perspective. Gallimore consistently produces top notch results year after year and has been recognized nationally for its excellence.