There’s plenty to be said for a city that has lots of fun stuff to do for adults. But, what about if you have kids? That criteria for a great city changes once little ones come around, but personally, I think many cities in Michigan offer a great place for kids to grow up.
The folks at Niche.com has set out to determine the best city to raise a family in Michigan. “The Best Places to Raise a Family ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of key factors that are meaningful for families,” they state in the study. “This grade takes into account key factors, such as the quality of local schools, safety, affordability, and access to family amenities, in an attempt to measure the appeal of an area for families.” They added regarding methodology, “The same methodology is used to produce the Good for Families Grade for each ranked place. Statistics are primarily obtained from the U.S. Census and represent the most recent data available.”
Niche.com took into great consideration the school districts in these areas, since schools are a major factor when people have kids. “Niche has the most comprehensive data on U.S. schools and neighborhoods,” they state on their website. “We rigorously analyze dozens of public data sets and over 100 million reviews and survey responses to help you understand what a place is really like.”
So, what’s the best city in Michigan to raise a family? They have Okemos at No. 1, which is actually where some of my family members live. “Living in Okemos offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Okemos there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks,” they state, adding that the public schools in Okemos are “highly rated.” Find the full list of the best cities in Michigan to raise a family here and read on below for the 50 best public high schools in Michigan.
The 50 Best Michigan High Schools - Ranked
The 50 Best Michigan High Schools - Ranked
U.S. News & World Report has released its annual list of the best high schools in Michigan-.
Here’s the list, as well as links to find out why each school was chosen!
50. Canton Preparatory High School
How Does Canton Preparatory High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Canton Preparatory High School is ranked 50th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Canton Preparatory High School is 86%. The total minority enrollment is 62%, and 39% of students are economically disadvantaged.
49. Bloomfield Hills High School
How Does Bloomfield Hills High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Bloomfield Hills High School is ranked 49th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Bloomfield Hills High School is 53%. The total minority enrollment is 28%, and 10% of students are economically disadvantaged.
48. H.H. Dow High School
How Does H.H. Dow High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
H.H. Dow High School is ranked 48th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at H.H. Dow High School is 31%. The total minority enrollment is 16%, and 21% of students are economically disadvantaged. H.H.
47. Community High School
How Does Community High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Community High School is ranked 47th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Community High School is 26%. The total minority enrollment is 25%, and 10% of students are economically disadvantaged. Community High School is 1 of 6 high schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
46. Central High School
How Does Central High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Central High School is ranked 46th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Central High School is 52%. The total minority enrollment is 13%, and 26% of students are economically disadvantaged. Central High School is 1 of 3 high schools in the Traverse City Area Public Schools.
45. Dexter High School
How Does Dexter High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Dexter High School is ranked 45th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Dexter High School is 52%. The total minority enrollment is 8%, and 11% of students are economically disadvantaged. Dexter High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Dexter Community School District.
44. Leland Public School
How Does Leland Public School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Leland Public School is ranked 44th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Leland Public School is 76%. The total minority enrollment is 20%, and 45% of students are economically disadvantaged. Leland Public School is the only high school in the Leland Public School District.
43. South Lyon East High School
How Does South Lyon East High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
South Lyon East High School is ranked 43rd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at South Lyon East High School is 60%. The total minority enrollment is 19%, and 17% of students are economically disadvantaged.
42. East Lansing High School
How Does East Lansing High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
East Lansing High School is ranked 42nd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at East Lansing High School is 50%. The total minority enrollment is 42%, and 34% of students are economically disadvantaged.
41. Rochester High School
How Does Rochester High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Rochester High School is ranked 41st within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Rochester High School is 56%. The total minority enrollment is 33%, and 22% of students are economically disadvantaged. Rochester High School is 1 of 5 high schools in the Rochester Community School District.
40. Jenison High School
How Does Jenison High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Jenison High School is ranked 40th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Jenison High School is 51%. The total minority enrollment is 18%, and 22% of students are economically disadvantaged. Jenison High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Jenison Public Schools.
39. Spring Lake High School
How Does Spring Lake High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Spring Lake High School is ranked 39th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Spring Lake High School is 42%. The total minority enrollment is 8%, and 18% of students are economically disadvantaged.
38. Bridgman High School
How Does Bridgman High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Bridgman High School is ranked 38th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Bridgman High School is 53%. The total minority enrollment is 12%, and 29% of students are economically disadvantaged. Bridgman High School is the only high school in the Bridgman Public Schools.
37. Hudsonville High School
How Does Hudsonville High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Hudsonville High School is ranked 37th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Hudsonville High School is 58%. The total minority enrollment is 11%, and 14% of students are economically disadvantaged. Hudsonville High School is the only high school in the Hudsonville Public School District.
36. Plymouth High School
How Does Plymouth High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Plymouth High School is ranked 36th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Plymouth High School is 47%. The total minority enrollment is 35%, and 15% of students are economically disadvantaged. Plymouth High School is 1 of 4 high schools in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.
35. Salem High School
How Does Salem High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Salem High School is ranked 35th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Salem High School is 50%. The total minority enrollment is 38%, and 17% of students are economically disadvantaged. Salem High School is 1 of 4 high schools in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.
34. Huron High School
How Does Huron High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Huron High School is ranked 34th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at Huron High School is 42%. The total minority enrollment is 63%, and 25% of students are economically disadvantaged. Huron High School is 1 of 6 high schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
33. Houghton Central High School
How Does Houghton Central High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Houghton Central High School is ranked 33rd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Houghton Central High School is 45%. The total minority enrollment is 9%, and 23% of students are economically disadvantaged.
32. Renaissance High School
How Does Renaissance High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Renaissance High School is ranked 32nd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Renaissance High School is 76%. The total minority enrollment is 100%, and 54% of students are economically disadvantaged. Renaissance High School is 1 of 29 high schools in the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
31. Elk Rapids High School
How Does Elk Rapids High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Elk Rapids High School is ranked 31st within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Elk Rapids High School is 50%. The total minority enrollment is 8%, and 28% of students are economically disadvantaged.
30. Chelsea High School
How Does Chelsea High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Chelsea High School is ranked 30th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Chelsea High School is 52%. The total minority enrollment is 11%, and 15% of students are economically disadvantaged. Chelsea High School is the only high school in the Chelsea School District.
29. Eastern High School
How Does Eastern High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Eastern High School is ranked 29th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Eastern High School is 57%. The total minority enrollment is 20%, and 13% of students are economically disadvantaged. Eastern High School is 1 of 3 high schools in the Forest Hills Public Schools.
28. Central High School
How Does Central High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Central High School is ranked 28th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Central High School is 52%. The total minority enrollment is 16%, and 12% of students are economically disadvantaged. Central High School is 1 of 3 high schools in the Forest Hills Public Schools.
27. Frankenmuth High School
How Does Frankenmuth High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Frankenmuth High School is ranked 27th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Frankenmuth High School is 51%. The total minority enrollment is 9%, and 12% of students are economically disadvantaged. Frankenmuth High School is the only high school in the Frankenmuth School District.
26. West Michigan Aviation Academy
How Does West Michigan Aviation Academy Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
West Michigan Aviation Academy is ranked 26th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at West Michigan Aviation Academy is 68%. The total minority enrollment is 26%, and 22% of students are economically disadvantaged.
25. Canton High School
How Does Canton High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Canton High School is ranked 25th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Canton High School is 54%. The total minority enrollment is 35%, and 15% of students are economically disadvantaged. Canton High School is 1 of 4 high schools in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.
24. Byron Center High School
How Does Byron Center High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Byron Center High School is ranked 24th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Byron Center High School is 57%. The total minority enrollment is 18%, and 18% of students are economically disadvantaged.
23. Wylie E. Groves High School
How Does Wylie E. Groves High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Wylie E. Groves High School is ranked 23rd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Wylie E. Groves High School is 61%. The total minority enrollment is 36%, and 12% of students are economically disadvantaged. Wylie E.
22. Pioneer High School
How Does Pioneer High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Pioneer High School is ranked 22nd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Pioneer High School is 54%. The total minority enrollment is 47%, and 19% of students are economically disadvantaged. Pioneer High School is 1 of 6 high schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
21. Northern High School
How Does Northern High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Northern High School is ranked 21st within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Northern High School is 57%. The total minority enrollment is 27%, and 15% of students are economically disadvantaged. Northern High School is 1 of 3 high schools in the Forest Hills Public Schools.
20. Saline High School
How Does Saline High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Saline High School is ranked 20th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Saline High School is 58%. The total minority enrollment is 15%, and 13% of students are economically disadvantaged. Saline High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Saline Area Schools.
19. Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School
How Does Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School is ranked 19th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School is 63%. The total minority enrollment is 7%, and 12% of students are economically disadvantaged. Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School is the only high school in the Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools.
18. Stoney Creek High School
How Does Stoney Creek High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Stoney Creek High School is ranked 18th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Stoney Creek High School is 67%. The total minority enrollment is 19%, and 14% of students are economically disadvantaged.
17. Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
How Does Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy is ranked 17th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy is 58%. The total minority enrollment is 48%, and 41% of students are economically disadvantaged.
16. Okemos High School
How Does Okemos High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Okemos High School is ranked 16th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Okemos High School is 51%. The total minority enrollment is 42%, and 23% of students are economically disadvantaged. Okemos High School is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools.
15. Ernest W. Seaholm High School
How Does Ernest W. Seaholm High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Ernest W. Seaholm High School is ranked 15th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Ernest W. Seaholm High School is 62%. The total minority enrollment is 15%, and 7% of students are economically disadvantaged. Ernest W.
14. Black River Public School
How Does Black River Public School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Black River Public School is ranked 14th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Black River Public School is 69%. The total minority enrollment is 31%, and 21% of students are economically disadvantaged.
13. East Grand Rapids High School
How Does East Grand Rapids High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
East Grand Rapids High School is ranked 13th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at East Grand Rapids High School is 64%. The total minority enrollment is 16%, and 7% of students are economically disadvantaged.
12. Athens High School
How Does Athens High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Athens High School is ranked 12th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Athens High School is 67%. The total minority enrollment is 35%, and 14% of students are economically disadvantaged. Athens High School is 1 of 3 high schools in the Troy School District.
11. University High School Academy
How Does University High School Academy Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
University High School Academy is ranked 11th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at University High School Academy is 73%. The total minority enrollment is 99%, and 27% of students are economically disadvantaged.
10. Skyline High School
How Does Skyline High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Skyline High School is ranked 10th within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Skyline High School is 66%. The total minority enrollment is 41%, and 18% of students are economically disadvantaged. Skyline High School is 1 of 6 high schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
9. Grosse Pointe South High School
How Does Grosse Pointe South High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Grosse Pointe South High School is ranked ninth within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Grosse Pointe South High School is 73%. The total minority enrollment is 16%, and 11% of students are economically disadvantaged.
8. Northville High School
How Does Northville High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Northville High School is ranked eighth within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Northville High School is 65%. The total minority enrollment is 32%, and 6% of students are economically disadvantaged. Northville High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Northville Public Schools.
7. Novi High School
How Does Novi High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Novi High School is ranked seventh within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Novi High School is 68%. The total minority enrollment is 59%, and 10% of students are economically disadvantaged. Novi High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Novi Community School District.
6. Rochester Adams High School
How Does Rochester Adams High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Rochester Adams High School is ranked sixth within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Rochester Adams High School is 76%. The total minority enrollment is 27%, and 7% of students are economically disadvantaged.
5. Troy High School
How Does Troy High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Troy High School is ranked fifth within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Troy High School is 73%. The total minority enrollment is 56%, and 10% of students are economically disadvantaged. Troy High School is 1 of 3 high schools in the Troy School District.
4. Washtenaw International High School
How Does Washtenaw International High School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Washtenaw International High School is ranked fourth within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at Washtenaw International High School is 98%. The total minority enrollment is 63%, and 22% of students are economically disadvantaged.
3. International Academy
How Does International Academy Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
Every student at the International Academy participates in the International Baccalaureate program, which emphasizes academics alongside community service. The International Academy also offers enrichment opportunities ranging from career mentorships to international trips. There are opportunities for parents to volunteer at the school. The International Academy has campuses in Bloomfield Hills, Troy and White Lake.
2. International Academy of Macomb
How Does International Academy of Macomb Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
The International Academy of Macomb is a magnet school that offers an International Baccalaureate curriculum. As underclassmen, students will take classes meant to prepare them for the IB courses they'll take as juniors. Those who fulfill the IB program's requirements can earn an IB diploma.
1. City High Middle School
How Does City High Middle School Rank Among America's Best High Schools?
City High Middle School is ranked first within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at City High Middle School is 100%. The total minority enrollment is 50%, and 48% of students are economically disadvantaged.