Best Schools in Houghton Lake, Michigan
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 High
Choosing a school in Houghton Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Houghton Lake 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.
Houghton Lake Community Education
High · Houghton Lake Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Houghton Lake Jrsr High School
High · Houghton Lake Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Collins Elementary School
Elementary · Houghton Lake 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 Houghton Lake for 2026 are Houghton Lake Community Education (7.1/10), Houghton Lake Jrsr High School (5.6/10), and Collins Elementary School (4.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$142,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$142,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Houghton Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houghton Lake Community Education | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Houghton Lake Jrsr High School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Collins Elementary School | 4.6 / 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
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $54,622
- Median home value
- $142,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Houghton Lake compares
Michigan rank
#261 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$55k
74% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Houghton Lake, Michigan
Houghton Lake, Michigan is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Houghton Lake 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 Houghton Lake is Houghton Lake Community Education with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Houghton Lake is served by 1 school district: Houghton Lake Community Schools. These districts collectively serve 1,163 students.
Houghton Lake's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,622. The poverty rate in the area is 14.5%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 553 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 103 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 507 students · 7th–12th | 5.6 |
Schools in Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake, Michigan · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,622
Median Home Value
$142,300
Median Rent
$784/mo
Population
7,922
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Community Profile
Houghton Lake has a median household income of $54,622. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,300, with a median rent of $784/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 1
- High
- 2
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 Houghton Lake, Michigan
How many schools are in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
Houghton Lake has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Houghton Lake is 5.8 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 Houghton Lake, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Houghton Lake on MySchoolScout is Houghton Lake Community Education with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Houghton Lake on MySchoolScout is Collins Elementary School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Houghton Lake on MySchoolScout is Houghton Lake Community Education with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Houghton Lake, Michigan?
Houghton Lake is served by 1 school district: Houghton Lake Community Schools.
What is the education level in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Houghton Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
The median household income in Houghton Lake is approximately $54,622 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Houghton Lake, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Houghton Lake is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Houghton Lake, 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.