2024 Best Public High Schools in Michigan

• St. Joseph Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  316 reviews

Senior: Most of the staff are excellent! They teach their subjects well and with passion, and seem to genuinely care about their students. Most of them also realize that high school isn't always about learning English or Statistics, they include life skills and give advice to students. However, there are a couple teachers who are not nearly as caring as their peers, and it shows when you're in their classroom. I once actually had a teacher tell my class "I really don't care about anything you do outside of this class, I'm not here to be your friend I'm here to teach you English." While she gave a valid point, it made me feel not valued or cared about whenever I entered her class. Luckily, I've only had a few teachers like this.... Read 316 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,034

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• East Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  211 reviews

Sophomore: EGRHS has great academics and athletics. Because of the amazing teaching styles, I have become a much brighter and smarter student. There are many opportunities for me to excel as a student, and to make friends. I have never been as thriving as I am right now because of this school!... Read 211 reviews

• grade A

• Students 925

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Forest Hills Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  138 reviews

Senior: As a whole, Central High School has really been a bright point in my academic career so far. What I love most about it is how willing the teachers are to help you succeed in your classes, and I’m especially excited about my senior year, as the school really gives you opportunities to choose classes that you think will be helpful to the path you might want to take in college. The worst part of my experience would have to be my freshman year. Impacted by Covid-19, I was a virtual student my first year, and I really believe that impacted my performance. But as soon as I entered my sophomore year and was able to better connect with my teachers and peers, I really enjoyed attending school just knowing that if there was something that I didn’t understand, there was always someone that could help me. In addition, Forest Hills Central has great exploratory options, and I am proud to say that I am a part of the vocal jazz group - Central Singers. I’ve made so many memories and friends here.... Read 138 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,136

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Rochester Community School District, MI•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  373 reviews

Alum: Rochester High School provided a positive learning experience, and gave me all of the necessary tools for success in college and the real world. Teachers and staff were willing to do anything for their students and ensured that each student felt valued and respected. School culture and pride was incredibly apparent, and everyone felt apart of the school community. I could not have imagined my high school experience to be any other way, without all of the school spirit and support of staff and other students. Rochester High School had incredible teachers with an incredible academic rigor creating leaders in the next generation. My favorite memories at Rochester include the amazing involvement by parents and staff ensuring that students had access to any club, sport, or activity that they could dream of, and succeed doing so. Students were encouraged to follow their dreams and try everything they find interest in. I would recommend Rochester to anyone for a great high school experience.... Read 373 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,712

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• West Bloomfield School District, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  435 reviews

Sophomore: I think that this school is worth trying out for most high school students. The staff is excellent, there are plenty of clubs and sports, and there is an absolute amount of potential for those who are willing to seek it out. I rate it four stars, however, because I feel that this school is starting to put it's focus in the wrong places. It is so concerned about adapting the curriculum to be able to help those who may be struggling, that it may not be able to successfully challenge those who need to be challenged. That's not to say that people who are thriving cannot grow beyond their level, I'm saying that it requires far more effort to locate and acquire extra growth-promoting material, as opposed to locating and acquiring help for whatever is presently being taught. Such efforts include taking advanced classes, emailing a variety of teachers in the same department, and/or collaborating with peers. Despite that criticism, I still stand to support this school with a 4/5 stars.... Read 435 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,817

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Grand Rapids, MI•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  127 reviews

Parent: WMAA was the best high school experience for my son Connor. He graduated in 2023 in the top 10 of his class. They really pushed him in the way of Academics. The teachers really fostered growth and allowed for such a wonderful environment to learn in. In addition, he participated in Science Olympiad and the sponsors were outstanding and dedicated so much time to preparing the students for competition. My son was able to win numerous medals and placed in State. I can't say enough good things in regards to WMAA!... Read 127 reviews

• grade A

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• West Ottawa Public School District, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  365 reviews

Senior: I started coming to West Ottawa high school my Junior year of high school, and was home-schooled prior to this. I honestly wasn't completely sure what to expect, but I've had a very positive experience at this school and with my teachers and staff members! The teachers I've had experiences with have been very encouraging and helpful, and you can tell they want you to succeed. :)... Read 365 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,233

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Berkley School District, MI•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: Being at Berkley High is the best opportunity for me because it has changed my life and helped me grow as a student in many ways. Even though I got bullied a lot while attending the school and have come through so much that I found my people to be around, the best apart about my school is that, everyone is open and accommodating to those around us despite there being the subs and yet they are chill to be around and understand everything. The type of thing that I would love to be changed would be the parking spaces due to the fact that people tend to park anywhere and there is no place for them to park at which I would like to see changed and have spots for the kids who can drive at the high school.... Read 309 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,259

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Portage Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  243 reviews

Alum: I had a pretty good experience at PN, the teachers were all mostly friendly and loved the job they had and a lot of the students were nice and participated in a lot of activities that the school put on. There were lots of spirit weeks and assemblies put on by the many different clubs and groups at the school that helped people to be aware of what was going on such as inclusive week and having a Black history month assembly. A lot of the teachers enjoyed what they do and you could tell that being around students was what made their day. Especially when Covid had hit many of the students had lost motivation to try their best but teachers encouraged them and were understanding when it came time to come back. All the extracurricular activities and events were fun to go to and along with everything else made my four years at portage northern pretty good!... Read 243 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,289

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, MI•

• PK, 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  404 reviews

Freshman: At the current moment I’m a freshman with my home school in P-CEP (Plymouth-Canton Educational Park) being Canton. For this campus having almost 7,000 people in total it does a really good job keeping up with the chaos some inconsiderate students can cause. Not only that, but the diversity here is unbelievable; I used to go to a school in Livonia and it didn’t have nearly a third of what P-CEP, including Canton, has. Plus all of the teachers I’ve had so far have been absolutely amazing and very understanding! They also have a larger variety of electives than I thought possible in a high school, including their own radio station. Overall the campus is great and I would recommend it, despite having to walk between three different school buildings to get to my classes.... Read 404 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,957

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Black River Public School, MI•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  97 reviews

Senior: I was very lucky that my name was selected in the Black River "lottery" in kindergarten. I have had an awesome education in the Montessori elementary school, and then the middle/high school building. Having small classes helped me stay focused and get more personalized help from my teachers. The thing I would like to see change is building the athletic department. We are a small school, and so while it's great that more students have an opportunity to participate, I believe that we could be more competitive.... Read 97 reviews

• grade A

• Students 508

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, MI•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  371 reviews

Senior: Salem High School is an excellent example of a diverse, loving, and forward-thinking educational institution, tucked inside the lively Plymouth-Canton area. With a strong emphasis on diversity, this school recognizes the strength of welcoming pupils from many cultural origins, resulting in a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. The school's dedication to diversity encourages empathy and global understanding, preparing students for a world that is more linked. One of the school's most valuable assets is its outstanding professors. Salem High has a staff of enthusiastic and devoted instructors that go above and beyond to ensure the success of every student. These instructors have extensive expertise in their respective disciplines and motivate and encourage students to pursue their interests and potential. The assistance and direction offered by the... Read 371 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,941

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Midland Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  215 reviews

Alum: H.H. Dow High School is a phenomenal place to learn. The teachers are very knowledgeable and helpful, and genuinely want to see their students succeed. It is an elite high school relative to other schools in the area, and the students care heavily about their education. The classes offered provide framework for higher level college classes. However, the infrastructure and administration at Dow High is lacking. It is an old school that has seen little renovations since it was built in 1968. The classrooms are dated, and the hallways/lockers are somewhat depressing to walk through. For a school this good, the infrastructure and building itself should be of much higher quality. The other schools of Dow High's caliber in Michigan have significantly better facilities. Finally, the administration is lackluster. It seems as if they care more about the school's rankings/test scores, and less about the students themselves.... Read 215 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,243

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Byron Center Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  320 reviews

Junior: Overall, the school has a good learning environment and there are a lot of student-led organizations and clubs that any student is welcome to join, and we are also given the freedom to make any clubs that we feel are missing from the community. We also focus a lot on supporting all the sports teams and academic competitions regardless of whether we know the people competing in them, and I think that creates a sense of unity in the school!... Read 320 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,306

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Forest Hills Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  166 reviews

Junior: I think its an incredible school! I love the teachers, and the student body. I love how willing and helpful the teachers are when it comes to my education, and making decisions about my future.... Read 166 reviews

• grade A

• Students 819

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Grandville Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  373 reviews

Sophomore: The majority of the teachers are nice and like to help students when it comes to achieving their goals in the classroom. The sports program is pretty competitive and has a variety of sports to choose from. I'm hoping that minority inclusiveness and ethnic diversity will improve in the future. Remote learning is pretty tricky and isn't as intensive and engaging as in-person. There well enough of a variety of clubs and activities. The majority of students, parents, and I agree that there is poor judgment when it comes to handling issues generally, which can also be said for the Grandville district as a whole. Readiness for the future like college and career planning is overall pretty good. The music program is pretty good, many outstanding achievements were made by those involved. It's fun to get involved with school spirit events and the skies the limit when it comes to achieving your goals at Grandville High School. I am overall proud to be a Bulldog!... Read 373 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,837

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Houghton-Portage Township School District, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  59 reviews

Senior: Houghton High school is academically strong, especially compared to other schools in the area. They have a lot of different sports and extracurriculars, good connections with local colleges, and a generally welcoming community. The only limiters are the smaller selection of AP classes, as well as the somewhat small size of the school.... Read 59 reviews

• grade A

• Students 479

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, MI•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  328 reviews

Alum: It was great! Sports teams and marching band are good and the teachers are pretty good for the most part. It can be confusing at first to get around because there are three sections of classrooms that look exactly the same, but once you get it down, it makes it easier to locate new classes! The counselors are great! They get to know you and your goals for graduation personally. There are lots of clubs, sports, and electives to get involved and make friends, too.... Read 328 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,976

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, MI•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  339 reviews

Alum: Woodhaven high school is a diverse learning center with courses and clubs fit for every student. Teachers provide classrooms that are fun and easy to learn in. The faculty are willing to not only listen, but also take action concerning parents and students criticisms, ideas, and feedback. The school encourages students to get involved with their peers and community, building connections and friendships. The school prioritizes each of the students high school careers, and values shaping their students into well rounded individuals. Lastly, the school does a good job of shining light on important topics such as mental health and inclusion.... Read 339 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,235

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Washtenaw Independent School District, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  150 reviews

Sophomore: The teachers and staff at Early College Alliance are all very helpful and truly care for your success. They work quickly to help prepare you for a college class by finding where your current level is and then taking the steps to improve from there. Every student has a CORE advisor, which is a member of the ECA program (usually a teacher) that you can talk to about your schedule, any difficulties you're having, or something else and they'll respond with helpful feedback. The campus is incredibly nice and, as ECA students, we have access to pretty much all of it. I'm very glad that I decided to come to ECA to further my education and make all my new friends. I think that anyone thinking about signing up for this program should totally go for it.... Read 150 reviews

• grade A

• Students 464

• Student-teacher ratio 31:1

• Portage Public Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  264 reviews

Junior: As a junior at PCHS, I feel that our school does well with academics. The school offers a lot of IB classes and a few AP classes, as well as tons of honors and regular classes. This ensures that every student will succeed in the classes they choose to take. The teachers are pretty helpful, even during this pandemic they have tried their best to connect with their students. The school offers a lot of sports and clubs to participate in, as well as things in music and the arts. They should probably put more funding into the arts; however, as they do not put nearly as much funding into music/the arts as they do sports. It is not a diverse school, the majority of the students are white. But overall, the school is a great place to learn!... Read 264 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,424

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Kent Intermediate School District, MI•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  6 reviews

Recent Alumnus: The school its great, however it can get a bit complicated sometimes. Girls are mostly mean and its hard to fit in.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 96

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Mona Shores Public School District, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  292 reviews

Senior: At Mona Shores High School, there is something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in athletics, academics, or arts, you have opportunities at the school. There’s a club for everything! From the Card Game Club to the Spanish Club, everyone can be involved in creating their own persona. There is also very low judgement and lots of room for you to be yourself, with support systems all around. The school truly cares about students well-beings and unique personalities. At Mona Shores High School, you are prepared for a successful future!... Read 292 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,297

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Chelsea School District, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  209 reviews

Senior: I’d say overall, the best part about Chelsea High School was its teachers. They went beyond just teaching you in the classroom, but instead, cared for you as an individual. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a good high school education with caring teachers, a safe environment, and a friendly student body!... Read 209 reviews

• grade A

• Students 805

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Saginaw Public Schools, MI•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  130 reviews

Junior: The course work is very rigorous, but manageable for most. The teachers vary with some being above and beyond helpful while others treat us like independent college students. Sometimes the expectations can be too high, which can be frustrating as a student. The building is basically falling apart and the district is also bad at making decisions for the school since it's not like the other high schools in the district. We often get screwed over when decisions are being made at the district level and administration doesn't always take the easiest route to accomplish things. However, I have enjoyed my time here since you get a hands on experience and the class sizes are small so you feel connected you your peers and teachers.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A

• Students 412

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1