Best Schools in Muskegon, Michigan
43 schools · 20 Elementary · 6 Middle · 12 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Muskegon?
Use this page to compare every school in Muskegon 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.
Beach Elementary School
Elementary · Fruitport Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Muskegon Catholic Central
Other. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Shettler School
Elementary · Fruitport Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Muskegon for 2026 are Beach Elementary School (7.9/10), Muskegon Catholic Central (7.9/10), and Shettler School (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 38 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
43
41 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$169,775
home value · ACS
Districts
14
serving the city
Schools
43
41 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$169,775
home value · ACS
Districts
14
serving the city
Rates 6.9/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 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 Muskegon schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Muskegon
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (38 of 43). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beach Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Muskegon Catholic Central | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Shettler School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | North Muskegon High School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Mona Shores High School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Oakridge High School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Oakridge Fusion | 6.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Muskegon Christian School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Reethspuffer High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Muskegon Community Education Center | 6.5 / 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
- $61,990
- Median home value
- $169,775
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
12% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Muskegon compares
Michigan rank
#296 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
84% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
41
About Schools in Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon covers 39 ranked public schools with a citywide average of 5.9 out of 10 — a number that signals a wide performance spread rather than a city clustering near the top. One in three schools (13 of 39) scores 7 or higher, which means families who look beyond their default attendance zone will find genuinely strong options. The schools that clear that threshold are concentrated in a few districts, making district boundaries a critical factor in any search.
The elementary tier produces the city's highest-rated school. Shettler School scores 9.2 out of 10 — the top mark among all 39 ranked schools and nearly a full point clear of the second-best result. Beach Elementary (8.2) and Churchill Elementary (7.7) also rank well, giving parents of younger children several credible high-end options to target. Strong elementary programs this far above the city average are worth the extra commute if attendance boundaries allow transfer.
At the high school level, two separate districts deliver 8-plus ratings. North Muskegon High School scores 8.3 and Mona Shores High School scores 8.2 — both well above the city average. These are distinct districts with their own attendance zones, so parents should verify residency eligibility early. Having two high schools above 8.0 in a city of this size is a meaningful asset for families prioritizing secondary education.
The 5.9 city average tells the other side of the story: roughly half of Muskegon's schools fall below that midpoint. The gap between the city's best (9.2 at Shettler) and its average is wide enough that assignment zone matters enormously here. Parents whose default school scores below 7 should investigate Michigan's inter-district open enrollment process and move quickly — the 33% of schools scoring 7 or above represent real alternatives, but seats fill. Use the top-tier schools as benchmarks and compare your assigned school's rating directly before deciding.
Elementary Schools
20 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 296 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 303 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 426 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 |
| 4 | 371 students · Pre-K–1st | 5.9 |
| 5 | 414 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.7 |
| 6 | 391 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 7 | 541 students · Pre-K–7th | 5.4 |
| 8 | 424 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.3 |
| 9 | 597 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.2 |
| 10 | 456 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 |
Show all 20 elementary schools in Muskegon
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 229 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 547 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 3 | 937 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 4 | 691 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
| 5 | 454 students · 5th–10th | 4.6 |
| 6 | 530 students · 5th–6th | 4.4 |
High Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 1,232 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 537 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 33 students · 7th–12th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 1,142 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 103 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 7 | 109 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 8 | 551 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 9 | 219 students · 7th–12th | 5.6 |
| 10 | 1,020 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Show all 12 high schools in Muskegon
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 117 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 2 | 270 students · 3rd–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 644 students · Kindergarten–9th | 4.5 | ||
| 4 | 21 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Muskegon Catholic CentralPrivate 308 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Muskegon
Muskegon, Michigan · 43 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$61,990
Median Home Value
$169,775
Median Rent
$1,018/mo
Population
128,433
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Community Profile
Muskegon has a median household income of $61,990. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,775, with a median rent of $1,018/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 20
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 12
- Other
- 5
Resources
School Districts (14)
Timberland Academy
1 school · 678 students
Three Oaks Public School Academy
1 school · 369 students
Lighthouse Academy
8 schools · 365 students
Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System
3 schools · 500 students
Muskegon Covenant Academy
1 school · 176 students
Fruitport Community Schools
7 schools · 2,648 students
Mona Shores Public School District
6 schools · 3,953 students
Muskegon Public Schools of the City of
7 schools · 3,196 students
North Muskegon Public Schools
3 schools · 943 students
Oakridge Public Schools
5 schools · 1,848 students
Orchard View Schools
5 schools · 2,146 students
Reeths-Puffer Schools
7 schools · 3,554 students
Muskegon Area ISD
3 schools · 1,554 students
Muskegon Maritime Academy
1 school · 102 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 Muskegon, Michigan
How many schools are in Muskegon, Michigan?
Muskegon has 43 schools, including 41 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Muskegon, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Muskegon 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 Muskegon, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Muskegon on MySchoolScout is Beach Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Muskegon, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Muskegon on MySchoolScout is Beach Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Muskegon, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Muskegon on MySchoolScout is North Muskegon Middle School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Muskegon, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Muskegon on MySchoolScout is North Muskegon High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Muskegon, Michigan?
Muskegon is served by 14 school districts: Timberland Academy, Three Oaks Public School Academy, Lighthouse Academy, Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System, Muskegon Covenant Academy, Fruitport Community Schools, Mona Shores Public School District, Muskegon Public Schools of the City of, North Muskegon Public Schools, Oakridge Public Schools, Orchard View Schools, Reeths-puffer Schools, Muskegon Area ISD, Muskegon Maritime Academy.
What is the education level in Muskegon, Michigan?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Muskegon have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Muskegon, Michigan?
The median household income in Muskegon is approximately $61,990 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Muskegon, Michigan?
Yes, Muskegon has 2 private schools alongside 41 public schools. The top-rated private school is Muskegon Catholic Central with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Muskegon, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Muskegon is 17.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Muskegon, 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.