Best Schools in Detroit, Michigan
195 schools · 119 Elementary · 12 Middle · 46 High · 18 Other
Choosing a school in Detroit?
Use this page to compare every school in Detroit 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.
Moses Field Center
Elementary · Detroit Public Schools Community District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Chrysler Elementary School
Elementary · Detroit Public Schools Community District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Pembroke Academy
Elementary · Pembroke Academy. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Detroit for 2026 are Moses Field Center (9.9/10), Chrysler Elementary School (9.3/10), and Pembroke Academy (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
195
181 public · 14 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$125,393
home value · ACS
Districts
56
serving the city
Schools
195
181 public · 14 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$125,393
home value · ACS
Districts
56
serving the city
Rates 9.9/10 despite 74% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.6 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 Detroit schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Detroit
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 195). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moses Field Center | 9.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Chrysler Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Pembroke Academy | 9.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Bates Academy | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Keidan Special Education Center | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Detroit International Academy for Young Women | 8.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Renaissance High School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies | 8.0 / 10 |
| 9 | The James and Grace Lee Boggs School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Cass Technical High School | 7.8 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $43,471
- Median home value
- $125,393
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 50%
24% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Detroit compares
Michigan rank
#242 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$43k
59% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
189
Education Snapshot
Detroit, MichiganDetroit's school landscape spans 195 schools across 56 districts, serving roughly 82,402 students. The average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.9/10 across 189 scored schools falls below Michigan's state average of 6.2/10. Charter schools make up 80 of those 195 schools — about 41% of the total — signaling a large school-choice sector relative to the city's overall count. The level distribution leans toward earlier grades, with 119 elementary schools against 46 high schools and 12 middle schools. The economic backdrop is significant: a median household income of $40,488 sits 47% below the Michigan statewide median of $76,205. Only 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Together, the below-average composite score, high charter concentration, and pronounced income gap make Detroit one of the more structurally distinct school markets in Michigan for families researching options.
About Schools in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit's public school landscape spans 28 ranked schools with an average score of 5.9 out of 10 — a number that tells parents to look carefully rather than assume quality is evenly distributed across the city. Performance varies significantly from school to school, and the gap between the strongest and weakest options is wide enough to make address and enrollment choices matter.
Only 5 schools, or 18% of ranked public options, score 7 or above out of 10. That's a small but meaningful tier, and families who land in it are getting meaningfully better outcomes than the city average. Leading the group is Greenfield Union Elementary-Middle School, the city's top-ranked public school at 7.5 out of 10. Ann Arbor Trail Magnet School follows at 7.4, making it the strongest middle school option in the ranked set. Carstens Elementary-Middle School scores 7.2, Pershing High School reaches 7.0 for families navigating high school choices, and Charles R Drew Transition Center also holds a 7.0 rating.
The presence of a magnet school in the top tier — Ann Arbor Trail — signals that Detroit parents have some ability to pursue competitive options beyond their immediate neighborhood zone. Magnet enrollment typically involves an application process, so families researching middle school years should confirm deadlines and eligibility requirements early. The clustering of top elementary and middle options above 7.0 also suggests that younger students have slightly more high-performing choices available than the high school tier, where options thin out quickly past Pershing.
For parents actively comparing schools, the practical takeaway is straightforward: with only 18% of ranked schools clearing the 7-point threshold and a city average sitting at 5.9, school selection in Detroit rewards early research. Scores alone don't capture every factor — proximity, program fit, and available support services all matter — but the performance spread here is wide enough that the school a child attends is likely to make a real difference. Starting the search early, checking current enrollment windows, and looking closely at the top-tier cluster gives families the best shot at a strong fit.
Elementary Schools
119 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.9 |
| 2 | 130 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 3 | 343 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.1 |
| 4 | 785 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 90 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.7 |
| 6 | 689 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.0 |
| 7 | 161 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 422 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.7 |
| 9 | 420 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.7 |
| 10 | 468 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 7.6 |
Show all 119 elementary schools in Detroit
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 102 students · 2nd–8th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 183 students · 2nd–8th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 336 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 421 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 117 students · 2nd–8th | 6.2 |
| 6 | 347 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 7 | 250 students · 5th–8th | 5.4 |
| 8 | 629 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
| 9 | 360 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
| 10 | 509 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
Show all 12 middle schools in Detroit
High Schools
46 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,171 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 2,485 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 378 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 4 | 512 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 605 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 6 | 103 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 7 | 249 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 8 | 303 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 9 | 80 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 10 | 470 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Show all 46 high schools in Detroit
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
18 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 235 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 127 students · 15–15 | 7.3 |
| 3 | 653 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.2 |
| 4 | 171 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.7 |
| 5 | 694 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 |
| 6 | 207 students · 15–15 | 5.2 |
| 7 | 813 students · 4th–12th | 5.2 |
| 8 | 215 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.7 |
| 9 | 684 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.5 |
| 10 | 200 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.3 |
Show all 18 other schools in Detroit
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan · 195 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 29 ZIP codes
Median Income
$43,471
Median Home Value
$125,393
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
Population
732,054
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
30.2%
Community Profile
Detroit has a median household income of $43,471. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,393, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 119
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 46
- Other
- 18
School Districts (56)
Plymouth Educational Center Charter School
1 school · 399 students
Martin Luther King Jr. Education Center Academy
1 school · 303 students
Cesar Chavez Academy
4 schools · 2,226 students
Detroit Community Schools
2 schools · 547 students
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences
2 schools · 1,006 students
Dove Academy of Detroit
1 school · 500 students
Barack Obama Leadership Academy
1 school · 311 students
Oakland International Academy
4 schools · 1,750 students
George Crockett Academy
1 school · 321 students
Voyageur Academy
2 schools · 1,285 students
Hope Academy
1 school · 408 students
Weston Preparatory Academy
1 school · 251 students
Detroit Edison Public School Academy
2 schools · 1,278 students
David Ellis Academy
2 schools · 215 students
Universal Academy
1 school · 684 students
Detroit Service Learning Academy
3 schools · 1,460 students
Old Redford Academy
3 schools · 947 students
Hope of Detroit Academy
2 schools · 1,002 students
Joy Preparatory Academy
1 school · 171 students
Warrendale Charter Academy
1 school · 676 students
Detroit Merit Charter Academy
1 school · 718 students
Frontier International Academy
2 schools · 1,050 students
Detroit Enterprise Academy
1 school · 759 students
Bridge Academy
3 schools · 1,297 students
Detroit Premier Academy
1 school · 703 students
Covenant Schools Detroit
4 schools · 668 students
Flagship Charter Academy
1 school · 649 students
University Preparatory Science and Math (PSAD)
3 schools · 1,426 students
University Preparatory Academy (PSAD)
4 schools · 1,848 students
University Preparatory Art & Design
2 schools · 1,287 students
University Yes Academy
1 school · 440 students
Detroit Leadership Academy
2 schools · 731 students
Legacy Charter Academy
1 school · 725 students
Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy
1 school · 689 students
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy
1 school · 421 students
New Paradigm Glazer-Loving Academy
1 school · 199 students
Detroit Innovation Academy
1 school · 363 students
Madison-Carver Academy
1 school · 261 students
Michigan Educational Choice Center
1 school · 259 students
Rutherford Winans Academy
1 school · 161 students
Capstone Academy Charter School (SDA)
2 schools · 118 students
W-A-Y Academy
2 schools · 200 students
Escuela Avancemos
1 school · 422 students
MacDowell Preparatory Academy
1 school · 368 students
Detroit Achievement Academy
2 schools · 789 students
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School
1 school · 161 students
Detroit Public Safety Academy
1 school · 176 students
WAY Michigan
1 school · 119 students
New Paradigm College Prep
1 school · 182 students
Pathways Academy
1 school · 159 students
Cornerstone Jefferson-Douglass Academy
1 school · 529 students
Detroit Public Schools Community District
106 schools · 48,271 students
Pembroke Academy
1 school · 343 students
Lincoln-King Adams-Young Academy
3 schools · 1,312 students
KIPP Detroit Imani Academy
1 school · 81 students
SER YouthBuild Learning Academy
2 schools · 201 students
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 Detroit, Michigan
How many schools are in Detroit, Michigan?
Detroit has 195 schools, including 181 public and 14 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Detroit, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Detroit is 5.9 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 Detroit, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Detroit on MySchoolScout is Moses Field Center with a composite score of 9.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Detroit, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Detroit on MySchoolScout is Moses Field Center with a composite score of 9.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Detroit, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Detroit on MySchoolScout is Ann Arbor Trail Magnet School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Detroit, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Detroit on MySchoolScout is Renaissance High School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Detroit, Michigan?
Detroit is served by 56 school districts: Plymouth Educational Center Charter School, Martin Luther King Jr. Education Center Academy, Cesar Chavez Academy, Detroit Community Schools, Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dove Academy of Detroit, Barack Obama Leadership Academy, Oakland International Academy, George Crockett Academy, Voyageur Academy, Hope Academy, Weston Preparatory Academy, Detroit Edison Public School Academy, David Ellis Academy, Universal Academy, Detroit Service Learning Academy, Old Redford Academy, Hope of Detroit Academy, Joy Preparatory Academy, Warrendale Charter Academy, Detroit Merit Charter Academy, Frontier International Academy, Detroit Enterprise Academy, Bridge Academy, Detroit Premier Academy, Covenant Schools Detroit, Flagship Charter Academy, University Preparatory Science and Math (psad), University Preparatory Academy (psad), University Preparatory Art & Design, University Yes Academy, Detroit Leadership Academy, Legacy Charter Academy, Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy, Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, New Paradigm Glazer-loving Academy, Detroit Innovation Academy, Madison-carver Academy, Michigan Educational Choice Center, Rutherford Winans Academy, Capstone Academy Charter School (sda), W-a-y Academy, Escuela Avancemos, Macdowell Preparatory Academy, Detroit Achievement Academy, The James and Grace Lee Boggs School, Detroit Public Safety Academy, Way Michigan, New Paradigm College Prep, Pathways Academy, Cornerstone Jefferson-douglass Academy, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Pembroke Academy, Lincoln-king Adams-young Academy, Kipp Detroit Imani Academy, Ser Youthbuild Learning Academy.
What is the education level in Detroit, Michigan?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Detroit have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Detroit, Michigan?
The median household income in Detroit is approximately $43,471 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Detroit, Michigan?
Yes, Detroit has 14 private schools alongside 181 public schools. The top-rated private school is Detroit Waldorf School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Detroit, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Detroit is 19.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Detroit, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.