5.9 avg / 10

Best Schools in Alpena, Michigan

10 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 8

Private: 2

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.9/10
Median household income: $50,699
Median home value: $134,900
Bachelor's degree or higher: 19%
Avg commute: 16 min
Owner-occupied homes: 76%

How Alpena compares

Michigan rank

#264 of 372

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.4

below Michigan avg (6.3)

Median household income

$51k

69% of Michigan median

Schools in this city

10

About Schools in Alpena, Michigan

Alpena, Michigan is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Alpena show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Alpena is Ella M White Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Alpena is served by 2 school districts: Alpena Public Schools, Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD. These districts collectively serve 3,858 students.

Alpena's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $50,699. The poverty rate in the area is 18.5%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (10) Elementary (6) Middle (1) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (10) Public (8) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (10) Academics (10) Growth (7) Diversity (8) Resources (8)

Filter by ZIP: 49707 (10)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Ella M White Elementary 453 students · Kindergarten–5th	453	Kindergarten–5th	7.1
2	Hinks Elementary 138 students · Kindergarten–5th	138	Kindergarten–5th	7.0
3	Lincoln Elementary 131 students · Kindergarten–5th	131	Kindergarten–5th	7.0
4	Besser Elementary School 493 students · Kindergarten–5th	493	Kindergarten–5th	6.6
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Private 90 students · Pre-K–8th	90	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated
2	ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Private 64 students · Pre-K–6th	64	Pre-K–6th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Thunder Bay Junior High School 803 students · 6th–8th	803	6th–8th	5.0

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	ACES Academy 71 students · 7th–12th	71	7th–12th	6.4
2	Alpena High School 1,096 students · 8th–12th	1,096	8th–12th	4.8

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Pied Piper School 40 students · Pre-K–12th	40	Pre-K–12th	6.6

Schools in Alpena

Alpena, Michigan · 10 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$50,699

Median Home Value

$134,900

Median Rent

$642/mo

Population

22,050

College Educated

19%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Community Profile

Alpena has a median household income of $50,699. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,900, with a median rent of $642/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Michigan
Total Schools: 10
Elementary: 6
Middle: 1
High: 2
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Alpena schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Alpena 📊 Niche Alpena Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Alpena Public Schools

9 schools · 3,626 students

Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD

1 school · 232 students

Nearby Cities

Harrisville (2 schools)

29 mi

Hillman (2 schools)

22 mi

Rogers City (5 schools)

30 mi

Other Major Cities in Michigan

Top metros statewide by school count.

Detroit 195 schools Grand Rapids 161 schools Ann Arbor 65 schools Saginaw 62 schools Kalamazoo 59 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Alpena, Michigan

How many schools are in Alpena, Michigan?

Alpena has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Alpena, Michigan?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Alpena is 5.9 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Alpena, Michigan?

The top-ranked school in Alpena on MySchoolScout is Ella M White Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10.

What is the best elementary school in Alpena, Michigan?

The top-ranked elementary school in Alpena on MySchoolScout is Ella M White Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10.

What is the best middle school in Alpena, Michigan?

The top-ranked middle school in Alpena on MySchoolScout is Thunder Bay Junior High School with a composite score of 5.0/10.

What is the best high school in Alpena, Michigan?

The top-ranked high school in Alpena on MySchoolScout is Aces Academy with a composite score of 6.4/10.

How many school districts serve Alpena, Michigan?

Alpena is served by 2 school districts: Alpena Public Schools, Alpena-montmorency-alcona Esd.

What is the education level in Alpena, Michigan?

According to Census data, 19% of adults in Alpena have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Alpena, Michigan?

The median household income in Alpena is approximately $50,699 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Alpena, Michigan?

Yes, Alpena has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Immanuel Lutheran School with a score of 4.2/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Alpena, Michigan?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Alpena is 15.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Alpena, Michigan?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.