Best Schools in Saginaw, Michigan
62 schools · 33 Elementary · 6 Middle · 15 High · 8 Other
Choosing a school in Saginaw?
Use this page to compare every school in Saginaw 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.
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
High · Saginaw School District of the City of. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Handley School
Elementary · Saginaw School District of the City of. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hemmeter Elementary School
Elementary · Saginaw Township Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Saginaw for 2026 are Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy (8.9/10), Handley School (8.9/10), and Hemmeter Elementary School (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 49 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
62
45 public · 17 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$110,314
home value · ACS
Districts
11
serving the city
Schools
62
45 public · 17 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$110,314
home value · ACS
Districts
11
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 78% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.3 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 Saginaw schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Saginaw
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (49 of 62). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Handley School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Hemmeter Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Mg Millet Learning Center | 8.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Bridgeport Baptist Academy | 8.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Michigan Lutheran Seminary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Robert B Havens Elem School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Community Baptist Christian School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Nouvel Catholic Central High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Carrollton High School | 7.1 / 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
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $54,978
- Median home value
- $110,314
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
26% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Saginaw compares
Michigan rank
#311 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$55k
75% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
53
Education Snapshot
Saginaw, MichiganSaginaw's school landscape spans 62 schools across 11 districts, serving roughly 17,763 students in a city where economic headwinds track closely with school performance. The MySchoolScout composite averages 5.4/10 across 53 scored schools — 0.8 points below Michigan's state average of 6.2/10, placing Saginaw near the lower tier of rated Michigan cities. The level mix skews elementary-heavy: 33 elementary schools versus 15 high schools, with 6 middle schools bridging the pipeline. Five charter schools operate within the district patchwork for families seeking alternatives. Economic context is relevant — Saginaw's median household income of $55,445 runs 27% below the state median of $76,205, and only 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, both figures that correlate with the rating gap against state peers. Individual school scores vary considerably within the city, so filtering by school rather than relying on the city-level average will surface stronger options.
About Schools in Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan has 41 ranked public schools, giving families a broad field to navigate. The city's average school score is 5.6 out of 10. Six schools — 15% of the ranked total — score 7 or above, which means strong options exist but require active research to find. The gap between the top performers and the average is significant, so school selection matters more here than in a city with uniformly strong scores.
The highest-rated school in Saginaw is MG Millet Learning Center, scoring 8.7 out of 10 — the clearest standout in the city. Close behind is Robert B Havens Elementary School at 8.6. For high school families, Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy earns an 8.1, making it the top-rated secondary option. Two more elementary schools clear the 7-point threshold: International Academy of Saginaw (7.2) and Hemmeter Elementary School (7.1). Together, these five schools represent the strongest choices across grade levels.
Below that top cluster, the picture shifts. With a city average of 5.6 and only 15% of schools reaching 7 or above, most of Saginaw's schools fall in the mid-range. Parents should check individual school scores rather than assuming quality based on location or district name alone.
For families moving to or researching Saginaw, the practical path is to start at the top and work down. MG Millet and Robert B Havens both score above 8.5 — they're the strongest anchors for elementary-age children. Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy is worth contacting early; magnet and choice-school enrollment windows frequently open before traditional district timelines. If those schools aren't accessible by address or lottery, International Academy of Saginaw and Hemmeter Elementary both clear 7 and outperform the majority of schools in the city. Saginaw has genuine quality concentrated at the top — the task for parents is confirming which of those six high-scoring schools their child is eligible to attend.
Elementary Schools
33 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 547 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 320 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 318 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 321 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 391 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 325 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.7 |
| 7 | 273 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.7 |
| 8 | 437 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.4 |
| 9 | 433 students · 1st–5th | 4.2 |
| 10 | 191 students · Pre-K–1st | 4.1 |
Show all 33 elementary schools in Saginaw
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 | 386 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 963 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 341 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 | ||
| 4 | 373 students · 7th–8th | 3.9 | ||
| 5 | 368 students · 6th–8th | 3.8 | ||
| 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 | Tri-city Sda School
Private
7 students · 2nd–6th | — | ||
High Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 401 students · 6th–12th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 449 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 185 students · 10th–12th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 519 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 1,324 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 427 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 7 | 671 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 8 | 141 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 9 | 169 students · 5th–12th | 4.7 |
| 10 | 163 students · 9th–12th | 2.8 |
Show all 15 high schools in Saginaw
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 159 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 503 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.1 | ||
| 3 | 97 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.7 | ||
| 4 | 17 students · 4th–12th | — | ||
| 5 | 18 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Bridgeport Baptist Academy
Private
81 students · 1st–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 79 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | The New Millennium Academy
Private
28 students · 2nd–12th | — | ||
Schools in Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan · 62 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$54,978
Median Home Value
$110,314
Median Rent
$936/mo
Population
125,086
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
22.7%
Community Profile
Saginaw has a median household income of $54,978. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,314, with a median rent of $936/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 33
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 15
- Other
- 8
Resources
School Districts (11)
Saginaw Preparatory Academy
1 school · 328 students
Francis Reh PSA
1 school · 503 students
North Saginaw Charter Academy
1 school · 596 students
International Academy of Saginaw
1 school · 81 students
Saginaw Covenant Academy
1 school · 163 students
Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District
4 schools · 1,476 students
Carrollton Public Schools
5 schools · 1,660 students
Saginaw School District of the City of
16 schools · 5,304 students
Saginaw Township Community Schools
8 schools · 4,503 students
Swan Valley School District
5 schools · 1,782 students
Saginaw ISD
5 schools · 1,642 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 Saginaw, Michigan
How many schools are in Saginaw, Michigan?
Saginaw has 62 schools, including 45 public and 17 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Saginaw, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Saginaw is 5.4 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 Saginaw, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Saginaw on MySchoolScout is Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Saginaw, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Saginaw on MySchoolScout is Handley School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Saginaw, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Saginaw on MySchoolScout is Swan Valley Middle School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Saginaw, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Saginaw on MySchoolScout is Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy with a composite score of 8.9/10.
How many school districts serve Saginaw, Michigan?
Saginaw is served by 11 school districts: Saginaw Preparatory Academy, Francis Reh Psa, North Saginaw Charter Academy, International Academy of Saginaw, Saginaw Covenant Academy, Bridgeport-spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Saginaw School District of the City of, Saginaw Township Community Schools, Swan Valley School District, Saginaw ISD.
What is the education level in Saginaw, Michigan?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Saginaw have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Saginaw, Michigan?
The median household income in Saginaw is approximately $54,978 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Saginaw, Michigan?
Yes, Saginaw has 17 private schools alongside 45 public schools. The top-rated private school is Bridgeport Baptist Academy with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Saginaw, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Saginaw is 16.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Saginaw, 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.