Best Schools in Muskegon, Michigan
43 schools · 20 Elementary · 6 Middle · 12 High · 5 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $61,990
- Median home value
- $169,775
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
32% 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
#238 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Michigan avg (6.3)
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 | 303 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 296 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 3 | 369 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.6 | ||
| 4 | 446 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 5 | 424 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.3 | ||
| 6 | 456 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 7 | 426 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 8 | 541 students · Pre-K–7th | 6.8 | ||
| 9 | 371 students · Pre-K–1st | 6.4 | ||
| 10 | 597 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.9 | ||
| 11 | 406 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 12 | 678 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 13 | 445 students · 1st–6th | 5.1 | ||
| 14 | 102 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 15 | 620 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 16 | 414 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 17 | 40 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | 4.7 | ||
| 18 | 391 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 19 | 320 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 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 | MUSKEGON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
215 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 229 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
| 2 | 454 students · 5th–10th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 937 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 4 | 691 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
| 5 | 547 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
| 6 | 530 students · 5th–6th | 4.2 |
High Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 2 | 1,232 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 1,142 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 109 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 33 students · 7th–12th | 7.2 |
| 6 | 219 students · 7th–12th | 5.4 |
| 7 | 176 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
| 8 | 537 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 9 | 103 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
| 10 | 551 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 |
| 11 | 1,020 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 |
| 12 | 18 students · 5th–12th | — |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 644 students · Kindergarten–9th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 270 students · 3rd–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 117 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 21 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 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 | MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Private
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.
Quick Facts
- State
- Michigan
- Total Schools
- 43
- Elementary
- 20
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 12
- Districts
- 14
- Avg Rating
- 6.0/10
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
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently 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 6.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Muskegon, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Muskegon on MySchoolScout is Shettler School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Muskegon, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Muskegon on MySchoolScout is Shettler School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
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 6.0/10.
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 8.0/10.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.