Best Schools in Pontiac, Michigan
19 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 8 Other
Choosing a school in Pontiac?
Use this page to compare every school in Pontiac 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.
Kennedy Center
Other · Pontiac City School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Childrens Village School
Other · Waterford School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Flex High School of Pontiac
High · Flex High School of Pontiac. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pontiac for 2026 are Kennedy Center (7.8/10), Childrens Village School (6.8/10), and Flex High School of Pontiac (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 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
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$157,375
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Schools
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$157,375
home value · ACS
Districts
7
serving the city
Rates 6.3/10 despite 91% 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 Pontiac schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Pontiac
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 13 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Center | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Childrens Village School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Flex High School of Pontiac | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Pontiac High School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Pontiac Academy for Excellence | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Owen Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Walton Charter Academy | 4.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Pontiac Middle School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac | 3.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Whitman Elementary School | 3.2 / 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
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $56,541
- Median home value
- $157,375
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
12% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pontiac compares
Michigan rank
#341 of 376
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$57k
77% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
17
7 districts draw attendance lines through Pontiac
Pontiac is not one school system. 7 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 57% of the public campuses.
Pontiac City School District is the largest slice at 8 of 14 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Pontiac address is choosing a district first.
Among 13 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.4 to 7.8 — the spread is inside Pontiac, not a citywide average.
- Pontiac City School District8 public · 57%
- Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac1 public · 7%
- Flex High School of Pontiac1 public · 7%
- Great Lakes Academy1 public · 7%
- Pontiac Academy For Excellence1 public · 7%
About Schools in Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan is home to 19 schools, including 14 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.1 out of 10, schools in Pontiac show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Pontiac is Kennedy Center with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pontiac is served by 7 school districts. These districts collectively serve 12,974 students.
Pontiac's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,541. The poverty rate in the area is 21.0%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 319 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 2 | 781 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 559 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.2 | ||
| 4 | 200 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.0 | ||
| 5 | 382 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.6 | ||
| 6 | 281 students · Kindergarten–5th | 2.4 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 40 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 768 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 79 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 942 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 7 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 77 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 553 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 4 | 810 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.8 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 1,075 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 993 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 993 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Baldwin Road Church AcademyPrivate 10 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Pontiac
Pontiac, Michigan · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$56,541
Median Home Value
$157,375
Median Rent
$1,062/mo
Population
100,714
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Community Profile
Pontiac has a median household income of $56,541. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,375, with a median rent of $1,062/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 8
Resources
School Districts (7)
Pontiac Academy for Excellence
1 school · 553 students
Great Lakes Academy
1 school · 200 students
Walton Charter Academy
1 school · 781 students
Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac
1 school · 810 students
Flex High School of Pontiac
1 school · 79 students
Pontiac City School District
10 schools · 3,659 students
Waterford School District
17 schools · 6,892 students
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 Pontiac, Michigan
How many schools are in Pontiac, Michigan?
Pontiac has 19 schools, including 14 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pontiac, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pontiac is 5.1 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 Pontiac, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Pontiac on MySchoolScout is Kennedy Center with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pontiac, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pontiac on MySchoolScout is Owen Elementary School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Pontiac, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Pontiac on MySchoolScout is Pontiac Middle School with a composite score of 4.9/10.
What is the best high school in Pontiac, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Pontiac on MySchoolScout is Flex High School of Pontiac with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Pontiac, Michigan?
Pontiac is served by 7 school districts: Pontiac Academy for Excellence, Great Lakes Academy, Walton Charter Academy, Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac, Flex High School of Pontiac, Pontiac City School District, Waterford School District.
What is the education level in Pontiac, Michigan?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Pontiac have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pontiac, Michigan?
The median household income in Pontiac is approximately $56,541 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pontiac, Michigan?
Yes, Pontiac has 5 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Notre Dame Preparatory School with a score of 7.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pontiac, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pontiac is 14.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pontiac, 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.