2020 Best Schools in the Detroit AreaAbout this List

Cranbrook Schools

• Private School
• Bloomfield HIlls, MI
• PK, K-12
• 211 reviews

Senior: This school has a great environment that fosters learning. Every classroom has a good learning environment: students are attentive, and teachers collaborate and give respect back to the students. However, the culture of Cranbrook needs work. I find that many students are entitled or do not realize the privilege they have even over other students in their class. I have really enjoyed using Cranbrook's facilities and making best friends with students from all over the world. As far as rigor goes, this school is understandably harder than the surrounding public schools: it is a college prep after all. However, students have a choice in their course load to customize it to their limits, and I have found that teachers are always willing to help when approached.
Read 211 Reviews

• A+

• 1,659 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Detroit Country Day School

• Private School
• Beverly Hills, MI
• PK, K-12
• 111 reviews

Alum: My experience was very positive, and I felt that the Upper School really prepared me for college. The transition of going into University of Michigan after graduation felt like I was still in high school, since the progression was very natural. I believe that without the help of the Upper School's rigorous academics and extracurriculars requirement, I would not have had the study and note taking skills and time management skills necessary to be in the top 10% of the College of Engineering, even as a junior.
Read 111 Reviews

• A+

• 1,529 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

International Academy

• Bloomfield Hills Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 526 reviews

Senior: I love this school! Not a lot of people notice it till later, but the International Academy prepares their students for college very well and the teachers are really nice and puts a lot of effort. One thing I would change is that I wish we were more open to opportunities other than school and were more aware of other volunteer services or scholarships. Although we were educationally prepared for college, there was not a lot of information on how to finanacially deal with college.
Read 526 Reviews

• A+

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

Greenhills School

• Private School
• Ann Arbor, MI
• 6-12
• 32 reviews

Senior: I loved it! Small class sizes are a plus from a learning standpoint, though having the same 80 faces around you for years and years can certainly begin to wear on you a bit. Athletics are lacking. In every other regard, however, Greenhills is amazing.
Read 32 Reviews

• A+

• 700 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

International Academy

• Oakland Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 55 reviews

Alum: IA is a great school for those who are very academically-focused. There are no school sports, but there are plenty of extracurricular activities, and most of the teachers are out-of-this-world! It is a small school, so you really get to know your classmates, and it truly feels like a community.
Read 55 Reviews

• A+

• 1,557 Students
• — Student-Teacher Ratio

Troy High School

• Troy School District, MI
• 9-12
• 324 reviews

Alum: I think the school itself provides lots of opportunities for its students, however, I also believe it puts its students under dangerous amounts of stress to gain those opportunities. There were lots of kids at my school who wanted to graduate regularly with a good GPA without taking any AP classes and without being in like 4 clubs at once, and that's something troy high doesn't appreciate. It's a great experience if your a star A+ student who can handle the stress, but if you're just a regular student, you aren't catered to with the same opportunities.
Read 324 Reviews

• A+

• 1,981 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Novi High School

• Novi Community School District, MI
• 9-12
• 415 reviews

Senior: My experience at Novi High School was amazing. The education offered there is incredible. The are many different classes you can take that fit your liking. You can challenge yourself with honors, AP, or IB classes. Each class helps you prepare for your future. They offer many different resources that benefits each student. Every teacher is highly trained . I like how diverse it is. That is one of the many things that makes this school so unique. There are also many different extra curricular activities, one for everyone. One thing I would like to see change is more people being involved.
Read 415 Reviews

• A+

• 2,006 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Roeper School - Birmingham Campus

• Private School
• Birmingham, MI
• 6-12
• 41 reviews

Senior: I love this place. I've been in the Roeper system since Pre-K, and it has truly shaped me into the person that I am today. It has presented me with countless opportunities for leadership and growth, both academic and otherwise, has skillfully taught me both mathematics and morals, and it has created a community where I am accepted and valued. I could not recommend it more.
Read 41 Reviews

• A+

• 319 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pioneer High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 293 reviews

Freshman: Awesome school! Good but not overwhelming competition. REALLY bad food. I suggest you eat at home. Awesome special education support and mental health support. We have 8 minutes of passing time (as of 17-18 school year) so you have much time to get to your next class. Big school though, sort of looks like a mini mall stretched out on the outside. Three floors. Warning, expect a broken or slightly messed up bathroom stall per bathroom.
Read 293 Reviews

• A+

• 1,772 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Northville High School

• Northville Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 289 reviews

Parent: Northville High School is excellent in many ways. Their facilities are top notch and they are constantly making enhancements to the school, sports fields and programs. There are endless clubs students can join based on their interests and skills. The school offers IB, Honors and AP courses as well. Teachers, counselors and administration are amazing!
Read 289 Reviews

• A+

• 2,371 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Washtenaw International High School

• Public School
• Ypsilanti, MI
• 9-12
• 52 reviews

Senior: This school has some of the best teachers around. They really care about you, your well-being, your education. I'd say there is only a handful of teachers I actually do not like as teachers (I'd say pretty much every teacher is a good person, however).

The class options are limited, however. We have to do 4 years of foreign language and our only options are Spanish or French. If you don't like either language, it is hard to succeed for the next four years.

As for the school itself, it is overcrowded and limited in resources. There are no sports, but you can walk five minutes to Ypsi High to play in their teams (their teams are pretty bad).

The food is OK. It is free though, so that's nice. They have treats but those aren't free. Breakfast is delicious and free too. So that's nice.

The school uses SBG and you can retake. That makes it a lot easier to do well. You have to do the IB curriculum.
Read 52 Reviews

• A+

• 483 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Huron High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 272 reviews

Alum: Huron High School:

30% will take the AP/AC classes, play music, rule and participate in the clubs, play the sports where Huron actually wins (swimming, tennis, cross country, field hockey). As a result, these students will enjoy the best of what Huron has to offer: (some) good STEM teachers, an excellent Humanities program, incredible music, and competitive extracurriculars. They will also pipeline into flagship schools—Michigan State at the lowest, but usually, the University of Michigan or better—and are solely responsible for Huron's strong reputation.

Unfortunately, as somebody who served as president of clubs involving a quarter of the student body, took 10 AP classes, and graduated with significant accolades, I noticed significant decreases in my peer diversity—the advanced classes and involved clubs being predominantly white and Asian.

Those not included in the 30% will have a less rewarding experience.
Read 272 Reviews

• A+

• 1,537 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit

• Private School
• West Bloomfield, MI
• 9-12
• 51 reviews

Alum: It was an excellent school, I loved it there and definitely did not want to go anywhere else. The school offers many different academic courses to chose from. Being such a small school it allows students to develop a more personal relationship with their teachers. On top of that the school does an excellent job in preparing students for college.
Read 51 Reviews

• A+

• 145 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ernest W. Seaholm High School

• Birmingham Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 192 reviews

Alum: I had a great experience at Seaholm High School. The teachers are phenomenal and the administration genuinely cares about the student body. The environment is very academically competitive, which can easily become a negative facet of the school atmosphere, but the Seaholm community works to be supportive of all its students and provides ample resources to help students succeed and feel appreciated. Without a doubt, I will remember my time there fondly.
Read 192 Reviews

• A+

• 1,286 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Grosse Pointe South High School

• Grosse Pointe Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 245 reviews

Senior: There's a wide selection of courses with wonderful teachers. Academically, I felt challenged in some areas and comfortable in others, which helped me learn and grow productively.
I've never gotten food from the cafeteria, but we have open campus lunch, so many students go to stores that are just across the street. There are two cafeterias, plus you can eat outside.
There's a wide variety of clubs, but depending on the time commitment you'll have to pick and choose what you want to do most.
South is made up mostly of white students, so diversity unfortunately is very low.
Overall, the group of students is good and the academics are great. There is certainly a competitive atmosphere though, as students stress over maintaining honor roll and getting into a well-respected college. Surrounding yourself with good people and taking classes that interest you (including a balance of difficult and easier classes) is the best way to make the most of high school experience at South.
Read 245 Reviews

• A+

• 1,649 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Skyline High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 289 reviews

Alum: Skyline is like many other places and things in life: exactly what you make it! SHS provides students with a variety of opportunities from an extensive list of athletic teams, extracurriculars, clubs, and groups. The school also has deep-rooted connections in the community and furthermore with the University of Michigan. I strongly urge students to take advantage of any and all opportunities they are presented with.
Teachers, however, are not all created equal at Skyline. Some are simply there to make it through the day and collect their paycheck. One of the products of the American public school system, I suppose. Others go above and beyond for their students and are truly there to prepare their students for college and beyond. It is important for student to establish relationships with these teachers. If I were to name a few, I would most definitely say Sra. Aretz, Ms. Whitehorn, Mrs. Ray and Mrs. Hetter.
Read 289 Reviews

• A+

• 1,494 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rochester Adams High School

• Rochester Community School District, MI
• 9-12
• 233 reviews

Senior: Rochester Adams highly values academics while teaching students to problem solve, make relationships, and build good character. All teachers are friendly and open to help their students whenever needed. There is a wide variety of clubs/activities so there is something for every personality at Adams. School spirit and sports are also treasured at Adams. We take pride in our student section, which chooses a theme for each event and supports the teams. School spirit is also apparent in our unique school traditions, such as the yellow kilts that seniors wear for game days, our Olympic-style pep assemblies, and annual Charity Week. Safe guards in yellow uniforms ensure the safety of students as well as camera and automatic locking door systems. One issue that AHS should put more emphasis on is the stress and mental health issues students struggle with, but overall, Adams creates a positive atmosphere which provides students with an education that prepares them for a bright future.
Read 233 Reviews

• A+

• 1,600 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Community High School

• Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI
• 8-12
• 85 reviews

Alum: Love it! The teachers are absolutely amazing. They are 100% invested in the success of their students. The open campus allows students to assume responsibilty over their actions. Plus, being able to enjoy lunch in downtown Ann Arbor is amazing. I loved being able to leave the stress of school behind for an hour while enjoying a nice, peaceful lunch at my all time favorite, The Slurping Turtle. And with so many amazing places to explore, the hands on learning opportunities never stop. Being able to collect data and specimen directly from the river truly allows students to connect with the material they're learning.
Read 85 Reviews

• A+

• 535 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wass Elementary School

• Troy School District, MI
• K-5
• 4 reviews

Parent: Wass Elementary is a wonderful school led by enthusiastic and hands on administration with outstanding teachers that go above and beyond for the students on a daily basis. The character education at this elementary school is particularly noteworthy with its focus on perserverence, respect, integrity, and inclusion of the highly diverse student body. This is a shining star of what a public elementary school can be when the community is involved and the leadership is dedicated.
Read 4 Reviews

• A+

• 426 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Novi Woods Elementary School

• Novi Community School District, MI
• K-4
• 1 review

• A+

• 436 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

International Academy of Macomb

• Chippewa Valley Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 105 reviews

Senior: The International Academy of Macomb is rated Michigan's best high school for many reasons. I believe it allowed me to grow both academically and as a person, while making memories I will cherish along the way.
The school follows the IB curriculum, which provides internationally recognized education. There is a strict curriculum and certain guidelines we must follow which may seem superfluous at times, but challenges the students. The atmosphere at the school encouraged motivating competition from the other students to further one's own education.
Finally, I think I was able to make personal growth at the school. Because of the friendly environment the school has, I was able to feel more comfortable around other people in general. I also have developed important life skills I can carry on, like time management.
However, the school also has its limitations as well. The small school lacked resources and opportunities for the students, like early college or sports.
Read 105 Reviews

• A+

• 484 Students
• 97:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Boulan Park Middle School

• Troy School District, MI
• 6-8
• 2 reviews

Freshman: Boulan was so fun and i learned so much! i made so many good friends and the teachers were very helpful with assisting me in my learning. I loved art and ceramic classes with Miss Typinski because making things always cheered me up. if there was one thing i would change about Boulan, it would probably be the food in the cafeteria. The food options were not very healthy and they were always full of oil and salt and they didn't even taste very good to be honest but i loved everything else!
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 830 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Athens High School

• Troy School District, MI
• 9-12
• 331 reviews

Senior: Athens has a great community that fuels learning for all students. Academic opportunities are every where you look. All the teachers want you to learn and have fun! Athens raises a lot of money for great causes during charity week each year. The whole schools gets involved. If I could change anything, I would like to be able to take more classes per semester.
Read 331 Reviews

• A+

• 1,575 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saline High School

• Saline Area Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 274 reviews

Senior: In my experience, Saline has been nothing but excellent for me and my peers. While the student body is not at all diverse, most all students are very accepting and inclusive of everyone, regardless of whatever extraneous variable you might want to point out. The learning environment is very competitive, yet at the same time most of the teachers make the learning experience very enjoyable. Of course there will always be exceptions, but for the most part it is a positive experience. In addition to academics, the athletics department could not be any better. All sports are very competitive and have top notch facilities and resourses to work with, along with having a very supportive community. I would not want to have attended any other school.
Read 274 Reviews

• A+

• 1,766 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bloomfield Hills High School

• Bloomfield Hills Schools, MI
• 9-12
• 65 reviews

Senior: BHHS is a great school! During my years in BHHS, I've made tons of new friends, and teachers are very nice and supportive. There is little to no bullying around, and if there is, it is immediately taking action against it. There's been many fun events that takes place, and managed by the Student Council! So far there's actually nothing I would like to change, but maybe add in lactose tolerant products into the serveries, for others with the same food allergy. A police system, and firefighter stations next to our school is a great help. Then if something happened, we wouldn't have to wait long. The amount space and architecture in this building (windows) makes us soak in more sunlight than a normal school with limited windows. Thanks!
Read 65 Reviews

• A+

• 1,669 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio