2018 Best Public High Schools in MichiganAbout this List

International Academy

• Bloomfield Hills Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 486

Junior: International Academy is an IB school. The curriculum is quite rigorous - a place for students willing to challenge themselves. Since it's a small school, with only 600 students or so, there is a sense of intimacy among both students and staff. Teachers are very approachable. They are almost always available for one-on-one chats and assistance. Not only are students able to build closer relations with each other, but also with their teachers. At International Academy, teachers really do become students' friends.
However, International Academy does have its imperfections. As a small, and relatively new school (I attend the east campus - the newest one), there aren't as many clubs as a normal high school. But then again, this provides the perfect opportunity for hardworking students to create and manage their own clubs for something they're passionate in.
Read 486 Reviews

• A+

• 1,371 Students
• 108:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Troy High School

• Troy School District, MI
• 9-12
• 284

Senior: I will look back on my time in Troy High School with fondness and as the beginning of my passion for biology and volunteering. Troy High has taught me how to explore the many possibilities in this world. I will belong to many communities, but I will always be a Troy Colt. Troy High’s greatest assets are its diversity and competitiveness. There are many different students at Troy High who add to my high school’s prestige by bringing their unique personalities to our student body. Also, Troy High's competitiveness has made me strive to be the best I can in my academics and extracurricular activities. Because of this environment, I constantly find new ways to work more efficiently. If anything were to change at Troy High, it would have to be its emphasis on athletics. If Troy High could spend more time devoting itself to sports, our athletics teams would excel, adding to the already esteemed reputation of Troy High.
Read 284 Reviews

• A+

• 2,018 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Huron High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 226

Parent: My children have been continually challenged to think and apply---the academics are top-notch with many AP and AC (accelerated, AP-track) offerings. Math and science are especially strong, and the humanities course is basically a demanding college course that integrates literature, music, art, and history. My oldest child graduated with tons of AP credit, went to a top university, and had no problems adjusting to the work since high school expectations were so high. The international (particularly Asian) population drives up the standards; many of the kids are taking A.P. Calculus BC, for example, as sophomores. There are usually many National Merit scholars and perfect ACT scores (which can make "normal" high achieving students feel like failures, and does make it very difficult to get an A in accelerated courses) . The music program is phenomenal! The orchestra and band win state and national competitions and often sound better than college level groups--some of the kids are accepted at top notch music schools.

The only downside is that the "regular" classes are filled with students who are not so driven, so the achievement gap earns Huron poorer ratings than it deserves. And the football team never wins---so other sports like basketball, soccer, field hockey, tennis and swimming get more respect.
Read 226 Reviews

• A+

• 1,504 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Novi High School

• Novi Community School District, MI
• PK, 9-12
• 370

Alum: While I recognised that it had been touted as an excellent school by others, I didn't see that until after graduating. Looking back, I realise just how many resources were available for students to take advantage of. The large selection of AP/IB courses, variety of electives, and gamut of extracurriculars (with the capacity to create additional ones) was fantastic. Additionally, although students at Novi frequently complained about the food (being that it's cafeteria food that can be expected, however), after comparing notes with students from other high schools during my college years, I believe that Novi does (or at least did) provide a nice, more inclusive range of foods. Additionally, I think there are a lot of great teachers who are willing to take extra measures to facilitate and deepen students' understanding of course topics. Finally, I believe that I came to university significantly more prepared that I had thought I was going to, and more prepared than a number of my peers.
Read 370 Reviews

• A+

• 2,027 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Okemos High School

• Okemos Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 162

Senior: I believe Okemos High School has prepared me well for college. Its academics far outweigh the academics of nearby Lansing School District. I am grateful that my mom had the foresight to enroll me in the Okemos School District rather than in the District where I lived. Most of my teachers have been awesome. I have always felt safe. Everyone for the most part is treated with respect. Parent involvement has never been an issue. We most always have more than enough chaperones for all events necessary. The facilities are mostly up to date and in good working order.
Read 162 Reviews

• A+

• 1,238 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pioneer High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 239

Alum: I thought Pioneer all in all was a good fit for me. I had some really good teachers my junior and senior years. However, the teachers for my freshman and sophomore classes were not on par. I was also involved in sports and music, and both of those atmospheres were amazing. The sports community is full of friendly competition and determination, while the music program is way beyond what you'd normally see at a public high school.
Read 239 Reviews

• A+

• 1,671 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Grosse Pointe South High School

• Grosse Pointe Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 213

Senior: Grosse Pointe South provides an exceptional education for all students. Even though the school isn't very diverse, they do not discriminate based on anyone's race, religion, appearence, etc. The school is very welcoming to all types of students. Teachers at this school are great; highly educated in their field and always open to answering questions and giving extra help to students in need of it. Overall Grosse Pointe South is a great high school, no wonder it is ranked so highly!
Read 213 Reviews

• A+

• 1,671 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Washtenaw International High School

• Public School
• Ypsilanti, MI
• 9-12
• 24

Senior: Washtenaw International High School (WIHI) is the best school a parent could hope to send their student to. It all starts with the International Baccalaureate (or IB) program. The classes are much like AP, in that there is a harder rigor and more intense curriculum. However, IB courses are more often for favorable than AP courses, because they tend to prepare the student for college in a more accurate way. But what really makes WIHI so special is the community that has been fostered in the short time that the school has come to life. This graduating class will be the third graduating class of WIHI, meaning that the school has been open for 6 years. Yet in the short time that the program has started, WIHI has become a family of loving, caring students and teachers who honestly care about the academic outcome.
Read 24 Reviews

• A+

• 372 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wylie E. Groves High School

• Birmingham Public Schools, MI
• PK, 9-12
• 185

Alum: Wylie E Groves High School is a unique institution that gives all students an opportunity to find their niche. There is an unparalleled focus on all enrichment. Of course, we had our typical Friday night football games but you don't need to be involved with or even like sports to thrive at this school. There is an activity for everyone, from the award winning theater department to the award winning student congress to the ever concerned green club to the enlightening GSA, there is something for everyone. The administration and staff are always willing to donate their time and efforts to school activities for an overall positive day to day atmosphere.
Read 185 Reviews

• A+

• 1,162 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Skyline High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 240

• A+

• 1,448 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saline High School

• Saline Area Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 242

Alum: I loved my high school experience in Saline. The building itself is beautiful with lots of natural lighting, which was really important to me since I suffer from seasonal depression. The music program is amazing and I greatly enjoyed participating in the marching band and wind ensemble. The academics are wonderful! There were at least 10 students in my graduating class that graduated with a 3.99 or 4.0 GPA. Our football team was super awesome too - it made being in marching band even more fun! I was so happy the year that we made it to the state finals - I was able to march on Ford Field. I also got to travel to Disney World with the marching band and perform in a parade there.
Read 242 Reviews

• A+

• 1,757 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Grosse Pointe North High School

• Grosse Pointe Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 216

Niche User: My daughter graduated and my two boys are still there. I feel the entire school and community is dedicated to each students success. Our community businesses are engaged to student success, this includes the areas Big Salad holding a contest for the business students to create and sell a sale or sandwich. The local hospitals allow our students to round with Dr's, attend surgeries for the applied med class. Our AP Gov class goes to Washington DC and meets co gressmen and Senators. The atmosphere is positive and encouraging while discipline is delivered equally and fairly. There are over 50 clubs to choose from, 5 languages are offered, over 60% of the students participate in a sports. The Quiz Bowl team has made states and qualified for Nationals multiple times! "This is what we do here!"
Read 216 Reviews

• A+

• 1,364 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Athens High School

• Troy School District, MI
• 9-12
• 296

Junior: From the moment I walked into Athens high school, I knew it was the right place for me. I absolutely love Athens with a passion, it has helped me grow and become a better person in general and academically. I'm involved in so many activities. There is a lot to do at athens, I would recommend anyone to go there. Sadly, I'll be a senior next year and I have to go off to college, but I will take all that I learn from athens and put that in my daily learning and daily living. Athens will forever be the best high school ever!
Read 296 Reviews

• A+

• 1,529 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

International Academy - Okma Campus

• Oakland Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 13

Freshman: I love the school, the environment, and the people that surround you. Everyone, even the upperclassmen, are willing to make friends with anyone in any grade. There are so many ways to be involved in the school, even though there are no sports (you play through your home high school) due to a lack of funding. I can't say that it prepared me for college yet, but many have went into college from International Academy prepared for it. There are counselors who are willing to help you in any way.
However, with all its greatness, some thing I would like to see change is information during the enrollment process. We constantly had to ask questions due to the lack of communication between the school and the students. Overall, great school, 10/10 would recommend over Bloomfield Hills High School.
Read 13 Reviews

• A+

• 1,547 Students
• — Student-Teacher Ratio

International Academy of Macomb

• Chippewa Valley Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 66

Senior: International Academy of Macomb has been one of the best experience of life. I cannot tell you how much I love my decision for joining this school. It's a place like no other. Transitioning to the school, in the beginning, was also difficult because everyone in the school is complete strangers! Everyone came from different school districts from all over Macomb county, which made it a little scary trying to make new friends. But that was the fun part for me because those new friendships I gained since the beginning of freshman year have lasted to this day and have been growing stronger by the day. Some students will say that they regret coming to this school. I say that coming here was the best decision I have made because this school has strengthened me and shaped me into who I have become. I love this school!
Read 66 Reviews

• A+

• 506 Students
• 126:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

East Grand Rapids High School

• East Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 178

Sophomore: Although East Grand Rapids gets a reputation of "The Bubble", the overall experience from the past two years has been good compared to what I have heard from students who go to neighbouring schools (Forest Hills, Lowell, Grand Rapids Christian, etc.). The curriculum is very centred around the student. With guidance counsellors to help you choose classes, you really set your own pace. The teachers here, with some exceptions, deeply care about not only your grades but your mental stability as well. There are signs around the school and in classrooms reading, "You are Safe Here". East Grand Rapids also is preparing me for college. Most students here pursue the path to go to college, and the school helps prepare them. With AP classes available and programmes like IB and KCTC, it is easy to get college credit at a fraction of the price. They have a great athletic program, but always put academics first. Their pool and weight room are state-of-the-art.
Read 178 Reviews

• A+

• 982 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northville High School

• Northville Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 248

Senior: I think Northville High School is an amazing school! I have attended since 9th grade, and the staff, teachers, and students are all wonderful. It has a big emphasis on academic excellence and building kind and successful leaders. It is a very safe place to learn and express yourself, and it is a very great school.
Read 248 Reviews

• A+

• 2,287 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rochester Adams High School

• Rochester Community School District, MI
• 9-12
• 189

Alum: Rochester Adams prepares you for college far better than other high schools. Perhaps it was the advanced courses I took, but it was apparent talking to other students that I had an advantage. The teachers genuinely show an interest in their students. Every school has teachers that everyone despises, but at Rochester Adams, if you showed an interest in the class, there were no teachers that would turn down helping a student. I am thankful for the opportunities I had whether in clubs, sports, or academics. There is a large variety of courses available to students. It is incredibly easy to join an extra curricular activity as well, since all of them are incredibly inviting.
Read 189 Reviews

• A+

• 1,567 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Community High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 8-12
• 65

Senior: Community High School is a place where students can experience a level of autonomy not made available at any of the other high schools in the district. Additionally, the school itself is very informal and few rules are imposed upon the students (no suspension for missing class, etc.). There are some truly amazing teachers that will make for an amazing academic experience (Judith, Matt, Robbie, Chloe, Jon, Jason, Ed, and Moe are really the all-stars), and the open-campus policy does allow for much better meals than those found in AAPS cafeterias (though the surrounding restaurants are NOT cheap). What really hurts Community, however, is the fact that there is a very specific mindset expected of all students who attend the school. That mindset reflects that of most residents of Ann Arbor in general and preaches very quasi-liberal ideals. It seems that to openly drift from said mindset is to remove yourself almost entirely from the rest of the community at Community, staff included.
Read 65 Reviews

• A+

• 476 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ernest W. Seaholm High School

• Birmingham Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 175

Senior: Seaholm high school is quite frankly, the land of endless opportunities. They provide students with the materials they need to strive and prosper for high school and beyond. They also provide students with hundreds of clubs, classes, and athletics to let students really find who they are and what they love to do. If I personally would want to change one thing about Seaholm, it would have to be the lack of diversity. I am 100% Albanian and have been raised in an Muslim household. Both those things are quite taboo at Seaholm because the general population is white and once you mention to them what ethnicity you are, things get weird and they do not know how to react.
Read 175 Reviews

• A+

• 1,351 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bloomfield Hills High School

• Bloomfield Hills Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 45

High School Senior: What can I say? It's a fantastic school district with tons of resources and opportunities. If you're not happy with the education you're getting here, you're either not trying hard enough or a huge perfectionist!
Read 45 Reviews

• A+

• 1,669 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northern High School

• Forest Hills Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 58

Alum: I loved FHN! Great students and staff when I was there from 1993-1997. I live in Florida now and I have 3 kids. One in elementary, one in middle and one in high school. They have attended both Ft Myers schools and Naples schools. Naples definitely better but what I don't like is when they move to middle or high school not all of the kids will move together. So a lot of their friends move to a different school. Where Forest Hills Northern middle students all move to Forest hills northern high school. Which makes for an easy adjustment.
Read 58 Reviews

• A+

• 1,125 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

East Lansing High School

• East Lansing School District, MI
• 9-12
• 168

Junior: The majority of the teachers in attendance at East Lansing High school are passionate about the subject which they are teaching and are willing to work with struggling students during lunches and after school to ensure that they understand the material. However, a handful of teachers are not so hard working and make classes more difficult than is necessary. Both the athletic programs as well as clubs and organizations are plentiful and mostly well organized. The building itself is clean and well-kept.
Read 168 Reviews

• A+

• 1,110 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

H.H. Dow High School

• Midland Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 135

Senior: I love Dow High School. This is my fourth year attending and the knowledge I have gained throughout my high school experience is huge. I appreciate the fact that when my football story went viral, my entire community had my back and supported me in an extremely difficult situation. Dow High School has been the best school I have attended, and I would recommend every student enroll. The people are welcoming and the teachers know what they're doing. An extremely group oriented facility.
Read 135 Reviews

• A+

• 1,261 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Plymouth High School

• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, MI
• 8-12
• 257

Alum: I honestly loved going to Plymouth. The classes could be intense, but you did learn a lot in most of them. The campus allows for an insanely diverse population of students. You will never know everyone on campus, so there are always new people to meet and new friends to make. There are plenty of clubs and sports to get involved in. It really helped me prepare for college because of the size and the intensity of some of the classes.
Read 257 Reviews

• A+

• 2,038 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio