Best Schools in Manistee, Michigan
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Manistee?
Use this page to compare every school in Manistee 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.
Manistee Middle High School
High · Manistee Area Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy
Other · Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Casman Alternative Academy
High · Casman Alternative Academy. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Manistee for 2026 are Manistee Middle High School (6.4/10), Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (6.3/10), and Casman Alternative Academy (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$170,500
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$170,500
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Manistee
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manistee Middle High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Casman Alternative Academy | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Manistee ISD Center Programs | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | John F Kennedy Elem School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Thomas Jefferson Elem School | 3.5 / 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
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $62,211
- Median home value
- $170,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Manistee compares
Michigan rank
#291 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
85% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Manistee, Michigan
Manistee, Michigan is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Manistee 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 Manistee is Manistee Middle High School with a composite score of 6.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Manistee is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 4,917 students.
Manistee's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,211. The poverty rate in the area is 10.3%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 272 students · 3rd–5th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 281 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 3.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 669 students · 6th–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 64 students · 7th–12th | 6.0 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,517 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 44 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Manistee
Manistee, Michigan · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,211
Median Home Value
$170,500
Median Rent
$787/mo
Population
14,501
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Community Profile
Manistee has a median household income of $62,211. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,500, with a median rent of $787/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
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 Manistee, Michigan
How many schools are in Manistee, Michigan?
Manistee has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Manistee, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Manistee is 5.6 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 Manistee, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Manistee on MySchoolScout is Manistee Middle High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Manistee, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Manistee on MySchoolScout is John F Kennedy Elem School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Manistee, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Manistee on MySchoolScout is Manistee Middle High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Manistee, Michigan?
Manistee is served by 4 school districts: Casman Alternative Academy, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, Manistee Area Public Schools, Manistee ISD.
What is the education level in Manistee, Michigan?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Manistee have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Manistee, Michigan?
The median household income in Manistee is approximately $62,211 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Manistee, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Manistee is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Manistee, 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.