Best Schools in Alpena, Michigan
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Alpena?
Use this page to compare every school in Alpena by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Pied Piper School
Other · Alpena-montmorency-alcona Esd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Alpena High School
High · Alpena Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Aces Academy
High · Alpena Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Alpena for 2026 are Pied Piper School (7.4/10), Alpena High School (6.6/10), and Aces Academy (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$134,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$134,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.4/10 despite 78% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Alpena schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Alpena
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pied Piper School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Alpena High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Aces Academy | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Ella M White Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Hinks Elementary | 4.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Besser Elementary School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Thunder Bay Junior High School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Immanuel Lutheran School | 4.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Lincoln Elementary | 4.0 / 10 |
| 10 | All Saints Catholic School | 3.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $50,699
- Median home value
- $134,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
10% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Alpena compares
Michigan rank
#344 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Michigan avg (6.2)
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 5.1 out of 10, schools in Alpena show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Alpena is Pied Piper School with a composite score of 7.4/10, 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.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 453 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 2 | 138 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 493 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 131 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 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 | 4.2 | ||
| 2 | All Saints Catholic School
Private
64 students · Pre-K–6th | 3.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 803 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,096 students · 8th–12th | 6.6 |
| 2 | 71 students · 7th–12th | 5.3 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.4 |
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.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Michigan
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently 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 5.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Alpena, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Alpena on MySchoolScout is Pied Piper School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
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 5.3/10.
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 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Alpena, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Alpena on MySchoolScout is Alpena High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Michigan Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.