Top 10 School Districts
Below are top 10 lists of the most overachieving school districts in the state in 2014. The lists are sorted by grade level, demographics and region, as well as by overall excellence. As with all State Champs rankings, student income levels are factored into every list.
Please note that in the regional lists, not every district listed is an Academic State Champ. Click on the district name to get more information. Go here to search all districts.
Overall
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Academy | Washtenaw | 576 | 114.46 | 1 |
| Fairview Area School District | Oscoda | 304 | 114.34 | 2 |
| Kingsley Area Schools | Grand Traverse | 1384 | 114.2 | 3 |
| Ashley Community Schools | Gratiot | 293 | 114.2 | 4 |
| Star International Academy | Wayne | 1586 | 113.6 | 5 |
| Riverside Academy | Wayne | 1059 | 113.4 | 6 |
| West MI Academy of Environmental Science | Kent | 623 | 112.92 | 7 |
| Crawford AuSable Schools | Crawford | 1653 | 112.3 | 8 |
| Godwin Heights Public Schools | Kent | 2274 | 111.6 | 9 |
| Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools | Benzie | 511 | 111.4 | 10 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Elementary grades
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Elementary rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center Academy | Wayne | 298 | 136.6 | 1 |
| Hamtramck Academy | Wayne | 493 | 123.9 | 2 |
| Vanderbilt Charter Academy | Ottawa | 459 | 118.6 | 3 |
| Godwin Heights Public Schools | Kent | 2274 | 118.3 | 4 |
| Ellsworth Community School | Antrim | 245 | 117.9 | 5 |
| West MI Academy of Environmental Science | Kent | 623 | 117.4 | 6 |
| Onaway Area Community School District | Presque Isle | 674 | 116.9 | 7 |
| North Central Area Schools | Menominee | 437 | 116.7 | 8 |
| Detroit Merit Charter Academy | Wayne | 734 | 115.3 | 9 |
| Academy of Southfield | Oakland | 319 | 114.7 | 10 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Middle school grades
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Middle school rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center Academy | Wayne | 298 | 140.9 | 1 |
| Hamtramck Academy | Wayne | 493 | 127.5 | 2 |
| Detroit Merit Charter Academy | Wayne | 734 | 117.4 | 3 |
| Star International Academy | Wayne | 1586 | 116.6 | 4 |
| Ashley Community Schools | Gratiot | 293 | 115.9 | 5 |
| Crawford AuSable Schools | Crawford | 1653 | 114.7 | 6 |
| Burr Oak Community School District | St. Joseph | 280 | 114.6 | 7 |
| Deckerville Community School District | Sanilac | 585 | 114.4 | 8 |
| Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe Academy | Chippewa | 463 | 114.3 | 9 |
| Central Academy | Washtenaw | 576 | 113.9 | 10 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
High school grades
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | High school rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Community Schools | Gratiot | 293 | 121.1 | 1 |
| Fairview Area School District | Oscoda | 304 | 120.6 | 2 |
| Star International Academy | Wayne | 1586 | 120.2 | 3 |
| Central Academy | Washtenaw | 576 | 120 | 4 |
| Kingsley Area Schools | Grand Traverse | 1384 | 118.8 | 5 |
| Bloomfield Hills Schools | Oakland | 5406 | 118.3 | 6 |
| Bloomingdale Public School District | Van Buren | 1210 | 117.2 | 7 |
| Riverside Academy | Wayne | 1059 | 116.6 | 8 |
| Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools | Houghton | 314 | 116.5 | 9 |
| Baldwin Community Schools | Lake | 561 | 116 | 10 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Rural school districts
Based on federal education designation for rural.
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Area School District | Oscoda | 304 | 114.3 | 2 |
| Kingsley Area Schools | Grand Traverse | 1384 | 114.2 | 3 |
| Ashley Community Schools | Gratiot | 293 | 114.2 | 4 |
| Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools | Benzie | 511 | 111.4 | 10 |
| North Central Area Schools | Menominee | 437 | 109.6 | 14 |
| Stephenson Area Public Schools | Menominee | 586 | 109.5 | 16 |
| Madison School District (Lenawee) | Lenawee | 1560 | 109.2 | 18 |
| Mason County Eastern Schools | Mason | 459 | 109.1 | 19 |
| Roscommon Area Public Schools | Roscommon | 1155 | 109 | 20 |
| Benzie County Central Schools | Benzie | 1633 | 108.8 | 22 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
High concentration of low-income students
Districts in which more than 80 percent of students are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch.
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Academy | Washtenaw | 576 | 114.5 | 1 |
| Ashley Community Schools | Gratiot | 293 | 114.2 | 4 |
| Star International Academy | Wayne | 1586 | 113.6 | 5 |
| Riverside Academy | Wayne | 1059 | 113.4 | 6 |
| Godwin Heights Public Schools | Kent | 2274 | 111.6 | 9 |
| International Academy of Flint | Genesee | 1101 | 109.5 | 15 |
| Bloomingdale Public School District | Van Buren | 1210 | 108.6 | 26 |
| Baldwin Community Schools | Lake | 561 | 107.9 | 36 |
| Countryside Academy | Berrien | 596 | 107.7 | 38 |
| Covert Public Schools | Van Buren | 342 | 107.2 | 47 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Low concentration of low-income students
Districts in which fewer than 20 percent of students are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch.
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okemos Public Schools | Ingham | 3997 | 110 | 12 |
| Bloomfield Hills Schools | Oakland | 5406 | 108.1 | 33 |
| Rochester Community School District | Oakland | 14951 | 107.3 | 46 |
| South Lyon Community Schools | Oakland | 7423 | 106.8 | 55 |
| East Grand Rapids Public Schools | Kent | 2995 | 106.8 | 57 |
| Troy School District | Oakland | 12547 | 106 | 74 |
| Spring Lake Public Schools | Ottawa | 2484 | 104.7 | 105 |
| Forest Hills Public Schools | Kent | 10107 | 104.6 | 107 |
| Hudsonville Public School District | Ottawa | 6245 | 104.3 | 116 |
| Northville Public Schools | Wayne | 7302 | 103.7 | 129 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Michigan regional comparisons
Below are the best districts in each of the state's regions. See map for key.
Region 1
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calumet, Laurium & Keweenaw | Houghton | 1497 | 110.8 | 11 |
| Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools | Houghton | 314 | 109.9 | 13 |
| North Central Area Schools | Menominee | 437 | 109.6 | 14 |
| Stephenson Area Public Schools | Menominee | 586 | 109.5 | 16 |
| Bessemer Area School District | Gogebic | 450 | 107 | 51 |
| Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County | Gogebic | 837 | 106 | 76 |
| West Iron County Public Schools | Iron | 876 | 105.8 | 80 |
| Brimley Area Schools | Chippewa | 500 | 105.7 | 81 |
| Chassell Township School District | Houghton | 257 | 105.4 | 84 |
| Gwinn Area Community Schools | Marquette | 1117 | 105.3 | 89 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 2
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsley Area Schools | Grand Traverse | 1384 | 114.2 | 3 |
| Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools | Benzie | 511 | 111.4 | 10 |
| Benzie County Central Schools | Benzie | 1633 | 108.8 | 22 |
| Ellsworth Community School | Antrim | 245 | 108.4 | 27 |
| Pellston Public Schools | Emmet | 607 | 108.2 | 30 |
| Manton Consolidated Schools | Wexford | 910 | 107.2 | 49 |
| Mesick Consolidated Schools | Wexford | 637 | 107.1 | 50 |
| Boyne City Public Schools | Charlevoix | 1307 | 106.7 | 59 |
| Glen Lake Community Schools | Leelanau | 770 | 106.4 | 63 |
| Leland Public School District | Leelanau | 426 | 106.2 | 70 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 3
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Area School District | Oscoda | 304 | 114.3 | 2 |
| Crawford AuSable Schools | Crawford | 1653 | 112.3 | 8 |
| Roscommon Area Public Schools | Roscommon | 1155 | 109 | 20 |
| Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools | Otsego | 739 | 108.6 | 24 |
| Onaway Area Community School District | Presque Isle | 674 | 107.7 | 37 |
| Houghton Lake Community Schools | Roscommon | 1442 | 107.6 | 39 |
| Hale Area Schools | Iosco | 462 | 107.6 | 40 |
| West Branch-Rose City Area Schools | Ogemaw | 2060 | 107.5 | 41 |
| Cheboygan Area Schools | Cheboygan | 1897 | 107.4 | 44 |
| Gaylord Community Schools | Otsego | 3041 | 106.9 | 54 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 4
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West MI Academy of Environmental Science | Kent | 623 | 112.9 | 7 |
| Godwin Heights Public Schools | Kent | 2274 | 111.6 | 9 |
| Mason County Eastern Schools | Mason | 459 | 109.1 | 19 |
| West Ottawa Public School District | Ottawa | 7195 | 108 | 35 |
| Baldwin Community Schools | Lake | 561 | 107.9 | 36 |
| Byron Center Public Schools | Kent | 3724 | 107 | 52 |
| East Grand Rapids Public Schools | Kent | 2995 | 106.8 | 57 |
| Excel Charter Academy | Kent | 1388 | 106.5 | 61 |
| Grand Haven Area Public Schools | Ottawa | 6141 | 106.4 | 62 |
| Kelloggsville Public Schools | Kent | 2168 | 106.3 | 68 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 5
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Community Schools | Gratiot | 293 | 114.2 | 4 |
| Au Gres-Sims School District | Arenac | 431 | 108.1 | 34 |
| Midland Public Schools | Midland | 7727 | 106.3 | 65 |
| Gladwin Community Schools | Gladwin | 1784 | 106.2 | 69 |
| Chesaning Union Schools | Saginaw | 1553 | 105.3 | 88 |
| Pinconning Area Schools | Bay | 1354 | 104.9 | 100 |
| Beaverton Rural Schools | Gladwin | 1256 | 103.2 | 150 |
| Standish-Sterling Community Schools | Arenac | 1657 | 103.2 | 152 |
| Clare Public Schools | Clare | 1535 | 102.2 | 189 |
| Bangor Township Schools | Bay | 2436 | 102.1 | 190 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 6
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Academy of Flint | Genesee | 1101 | 109.5 | 15 |
| Deckerville Community School District | Sanilac | 585 | 108.6 | 25 |
| Kingston Community School District | Tuscola | 622 | 108.3 | 28 |
| Brown City Community Schools | Sanilac | 884 | 108.2 | 31 |
| Croswell-Lexington Community Schools | Sanilac | 2322 | 107.4 | 42 |
| Ubly Community Schools | Huron | 744 | 107.2 | 48 |
| Davison Community Schools | Genesee | 5557 | 107 | 53 |
| Harbor Beach Community Schools | Huron | 507 | 106.6 | 60 |
| Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools | Genesee | 5450 | 105.2 | 90 |
| Bendle Public Schools | Genesee | 1153 | 105.2 | 91 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 7
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okemos Public Schools | Ingham | 3997 | 110 | 12 |
| Haslett Public Schools | Ingham | 2733 | 108.2 | 29 |
| East Lansing School District | Ingham | 3465 | 106.3 | 65 |
| Michigan Connections Academy | Ingham | 1504 | 103.7 | 131 |
| Ovid-Elsie Area Schools | Clinton | 1647 | 103.3 | 145 |
| Fowler Public Schools | Clinton | 539 | 101.2 | 227 |
| Olivet Community Schools | Eaton | 1506 | 100.9 | 240 |
| Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools | Clinton | 646 | 100.8 | 243 |
| Williamston Community Schools | Ingham | 1799 | 100 | 276 |
| Webberville Community Schools | Ingham | 606 | 99.5 | 303 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 8
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burr Oak Community School District | St. Joseph | 280 | 108.8 | 23 |
| Bloomingdale Public School District | Van Buren | 1210 | 108.6 | 26 |
| Countryside Academy | Berrien | 596 | 107.7 | 38 |
| Edwardsburg Public Schools | Cass | 2755 | 107.4 | 43 |
| White Pigeon Community Schools | St. Joseph | 759 | 107.3 | 45 |
| Covert Public Schools | Van Buren | 342 | 107.2 | 47 |
| Berrien Springs Public Schools | Berrien | 2448 | 106.8 | 56 |
| Dowagiac Union School District | Cass | 2323 | 106.7 | 58 |
| Lawton Community School District | Van Buren | 999 | 106.3 | 67 |
| Lakeshore School District (Berrien) | Berrien | 2829 | 106 | 77 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 9
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Academy | Washtenaw | 576 | 114.5 | 1 |
| Madison School District (Lenawee) | Lenawee | 1560 | 109.2 | 18 |
| Ann Arbor Public Schools | Washtenaw | 16453 | 108.9 | 21 |
| Napoleon Community Schools | Jackson | 1428 | 104.56 | 111 |
| Saline Area Schools | Washtenaw | 5267 | 103.4 | 142 |
| Western School District | Jackson | 2941 | 103 | 159 |
| Hillsdale Community Schools | Hillsdale | 1347 | 102.4 | 181 |
| Hudson Area Schools | Lenawee | 893 | 102.1 | 191 |
| Chelsea School District | Washtenaw | 2430 | 101.8 | 198 |
| Springport Public Schools | Jackson | 972 | 101.6 | 208 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts.
Region 10
| District | County | Students | ASC score* | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star International Academy | Wayne | 1586 | 113.6 | 5 |
| Riverside Academy | Wayne | 1059 | 113.4 | 6 |
| Crestwood School District | Wayne | 3549 | 109.3 | 17 |
| Dearborn City School District | Wayne | 19379 | 108.2 | 32 |
| Bloomfield Hills Schools | Oakland | 5406 | 108.1 | 33 |
| Rochester Community School District | Oakland | 14951 | 107.3 | 46 |
| South Lyon Community Schools | Oakland | 7423 | 106.8 | 55 |
| Cesar Chavez Academy | Wayne | 2190 | 106.1 | 72 |
| Troy School District | Oakland | 12547 | 106 | 74 |
| Clintondale Community Schools | Macomb | 3152 | 104.9 | 96 |
* Districts with scores between 99 and 101 are meeting expectations, taking into account the percentage of low-income students. Those districts scoring above 101 are exceeding expectations, and those below 99 are falling short. Go here to search all districts. Here’s a more detailed explanation of our methodology, which allows Bridge to compare school achievement across all regions and income levels.
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