Best Schools in Carleton, Michigan
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Carleton?
Use this page to compare every school in Carleton 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.
Loren Eyler Elementary School
Elementary · Airport Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
Elementary · Airport Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Airport Senior High School
High · Airport Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carleton for 2026 are Loren Eyler Elementary School (8.5/10), Joseph C Sterling Elementary School (7.8/10), and Airport Senior High School (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$276,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$276,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carleton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loren Eyler Elementary School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Joseph C Sterling Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Airport Senior High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Wagar Junior High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Wagar Middle School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Airport Center for Education | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | St Patrick Elementary School | 5.3 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $76,600
- Median home value
- $276,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 89%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carleton compares
Michigan rank
#111 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$77k
104% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Carleton, Michigan
Carleton, Michigan is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Carleton 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 Carleton is Loren Eyler Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carleton is served by 1 school district: Airport Community Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,811 students.
Carleton's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $76,600. The poverty rate in the area is 11.0%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 279 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 364 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.8 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Patrick Elementary School
Private
83 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.3 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 626 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
| 2 | 234 students · 5th–5th | 6.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 776 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 9 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 |
Schools in Carleton
Carleton, Michigan · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$76,600
Median Home Value
$276,600
Median Rent
$1,081/mo
Population
10,199
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
89%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Community Profile
Carleton has a median household income of $76,600. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $276,600, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Carleton, Michigan
How many schools are in Carleton, Michigan?
Carleton has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carleton, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carleton is 6.7 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 Carleton, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Carleton on MySchoolScout is Loren Eyler Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carleton, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carleton on MySchoolScout is Loren Eyler Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Carleton, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Carleton on MySchoolScout is Wagar Junior High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Carleton, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Carleton on MySchoolScout is Airport Senior High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Carleton, Michigan?
Carleton is served by 1 school district: Airport Community Schools.
What is the education level in Carleton, Michigan?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Carleton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carleton, Michigan?
The median household income in Carleton is approximately $76,600 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carleton, Michigan?
Yes, Carleton has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Patrick Elementary School with a score of 5.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carleton, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carleton is 19.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carleton, 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.