6.0 avg / 10

Best Schools in Niles, Michigan

18 schools · 8 Elementary · 2 Middle · 6 High · 2 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 16

Private: 2

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 6.0/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.0/10
Median household income: $61,940
Median home value: $166,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 21%
Avg commute: 23 min
Owner-occupied homes: 79%

How Niles compares

Michigan rank

#234 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

15

About Schools in Niles, Michigan

Niles, Michigan is home to 18 schools, including 16 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 6 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Niles show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Niles is St Mary School with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Niles is served by 2 school districts: Brandywine Community Schools, Niles Community Schools. These districts collectively serve 4,648 students.

Niles's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,940. 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (18) Elementary (8) Middle (2) High (6)

Filter by Type: All Types (18) Public (16) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (18) Academics (18) Growth (12) Diversity (12) Resources (13)

Filter by ZIP: 49120 (18)

Elementary Schools

8 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Brandywine Elementary School 376 students · 3rd–6th	376	3rd–6th	7.6
2	Eastside Connections School 430 students · Kindergarten–8th	430	Kindergarten–8th	6.5
3	Merritt Elementary School 320 students · Pre-K–2nd	320	Pre-K–2nd	6.3
4	Ballard Elementary School 576 students · Pre-K–5th	576	Pre-K–5th	5.7
5	HowardEllis Elementary School 598 students · Kindergarten–5th	598	Kindergarten–5th	5.5
6	Northside Child Development Center 15 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten	15	Pre-K–Kindergarten	—
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	ST MARY SCHOOL Private 49 students · Pre-K–8th	49	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated
2	NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Private 62 students · Kindergarten–8th	62	Kindergarten–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Ring Lardner Middle School 537 students · 6th–8th	537	6th–8th	5.2
2	Brandywine Middle School 177 students · 7th–8th	177	7th–8th	4.7

High Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Niles Cedar Lane 119 students · 9th–12th	119	9th–12th	6.5
2	WAY Niles 108 students · 6th–12th	108	6th–12th	6.1
3	Brandywine Senior High School 378 students · 9th–12th	378	9th–12th	5.6
4	Brandywine Innovation Academy 70 students · 6th–12th	70	6th–12th	5.4
5	Niles Senior High School 827 students · 9th–12th	827	9th–12th	3.8
6	Niles Comm Schools Adult Education 13 students · 9th–12th	13	9th–12th	—

Other Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Southside Special Educ School 55 students · 4th–12th	55	4th–12th	7.1
2	Niles Virtual School 14 students · Kindergarten–12th	14	Kindergarten–12th	—

Schools in Niles

Niles, Michigan · 18 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$61,940

Median Home Value

$166,800

Median Rent

$911/mo

Population

36,652

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Community Profile

Niles has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Michigan
Total Schools: 18
Elementary: 8
Middle: 2
High: 6
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 6.0/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Niles schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Niles 📊 Niche Niles Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Brandywine Community Schools

5 schools · 1,321 students

Niles Community Schools

11 schools · 3,327 students

Nearby Cities

Buchanan (6 schools)

7 mi

Berrien Sprgs (1 school)

10 mi

Edwardsburg (6 schools)

8 mi

Berrien Springs (9 schools)

10 mi

Eau Claire (4 schools)

12 mi

Dowagiac (9 schools)

14 mi

Cassopolis (5 schools)

13 mi

Sodus (1 school)

17 mi

Saint Joseph (11 schools)

20 mi

Stevensville (7 schools)

19 mi

Bridgman (3 schools)

18 mi

Benton Harbor (14 schools)

22 mi

Watervliet (6 schools)

25 mi

Coloma (4 schools)

25 mi

Three Oaks (2 schools)

19 mi

Other Major Cities in Michigan

Top metros statewide by school count.

Detroit 195 schools Grand Rapids 161 schools Ann Arbor 65 schools Saginaw 62 schools Kalamazoo 59 schools

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 methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Niles, Michigan

How many schools are in Niles, Michigan?

Niles has 18 schools, including 16 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Niles, Michigan?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Niles is 6.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Niles, Michigan?

The top-ranked school in Niles on MySchoolScout is St Mary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.

What is the best elementary school in Niles, Michigan?

The top-ranked elementary school in Niles on MySchoolScout is St Mary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.

What is the best middle school in Niles, Michigan?

The top-ranked middle school in Niles on MySchoolScout is Ring Lardner Middle School with a composite score of 5.2/10.

What is the best high school in Niles, Michigan?

The top-ranked high school in Niles on MySchoolScout is Niles Cedar Lane with a composite score of 6.5/10.

How many school districts serve Niles, Michigan?

Niles is served by 2 school districts: Brandywine Community Schools, Niles Community Schools.

What is the education level in Niles, Michigan?

According to Census data, 21% of adults in Niles have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Niles, Michigan?

The median household income in Niles is approximately $61,940 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Niles, Michigan?

Yes, Niles has 2 private schools alongside 16 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary School with a score of 7.9/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Niles, Michigan?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Niles is 17.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Niles, 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.