Skip to main content
6.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Saint Joseph, Michigan

11 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other

Public: 7
Private: 4
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 6.8/10
Move-ready shortlistcity map + schools

Choosing a school in Saint Joseph?

Use this page to compare every school in Saint Joseph 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.

Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School

7.9/10

High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Upton Middle School

7.8/10

Middle · St. Joseph Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School

7.6/10

Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

The short answer

The top-rated schools in Saint Joseph for 2026 are Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School (7.9/10), Upton Middle School (7.8/10), and Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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

11

7 public · 4 private

Avg Score

6.8

out of 10

Median Home

$287,300

home value · ACS

Districts

2

serving the city

Top-Rated Schools in Saint Joseph

Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.

# School Rating
1 Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School 7.9 / 10
2 Upton Middle School 7.8 / 10
3 Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School 7.6 / 10
4 St Joseph High School 7.3 / 10
5 Trinity Lutheran School 7.1 / 10
6 Brown School 7.0 / 10
7 Lincoln School 6.4 / 10
8 Lighthouse Education Center 6.0 / 10
9 Clarke School 5.5 / 10
10 Grace Lutheran School 5.5 / 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
6.8/10

60% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$101,763

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$287,300

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
49%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
17 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
78%

Of occupied housing units

How Saint Joseph compares

Michigan rank

#99 of 372

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.6

above Michigan avg (6.2)

Median household income

$102k

139% of Michigan median

Schools in this city

10

About Schools in Saint Joseph, Michigan

Saint Joseph, Michigan is home to 11 schools, including 7 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Saint Joseph show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.

The highest-performing school in Saint Joseph is Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Saint Joseph is served by 2 school districts: St. Joseph Public Schools, Berrien RESA. These districts collectively serve 3,688 students.

Saint Joseph's community shows 49% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $101,763. The poverty rate in the area is 4.2%.

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 ZIP: 49085 (11)

Elementary Schools

6 schools
# School Rating
1 409 students · Pre-K–5th 7.0
2 425 students · Pre-K–5th 6.4
3 465 students · Kindergarten–5th 5.5
Private Schools 3 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 193 students · Pre-K–5th 7.6
2 91 students · Kindergarten–8th 7.1
3 144 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 663 students · 6th–8th 7.8

High Schools

3 schools
# School Rating
1 942 students · 9th–12th 7.3
2 10 students · 6th–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.

1 125 students · 6th–12th 7.9

Other Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 115 students · Kindergarten–12th 6.0

Schools in Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph, Michigan · 11 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$101,763

Median Home Value

$287,300

Median Rent

$1,099/mo

Population

23,575

College Educated

49%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

17 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Community Profile

Saint Joseph has a median household income of $101,763. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,300, with a median rent of $1,099/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Saint Joseph, Michigan

How many schools are in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

Saint Joseph has 11 schools, including 7 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Saint Joseph is 6.8 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 Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The top-ranked school in Saint Joseph on MySchoolScout is Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School with a composite score of 7.9/10.

What is the best elementary school in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The top-ranked elementary school in Saint Joseph on MySchoolScout is Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School with a composite score of 7.6/10.

What is the best middle school in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The top-ranked middle school in Saint Joseph on MySchoolScout is Upton Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.

What is the best high school in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The top-ranked high school in Saint Joseph on MySchoolScout is Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School with a composite score of 7.9/10.

How many school districts serve Saint Joseph, Michigan?

Saint Joseph is served by 2 school districts: St. Joseph Public Schools, Berrien Resa.

What is the education level in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

According to Census data, 49% of adults in Saint Joseph have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The median household income in Saint Joseph is approximately $101,763 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

Yes, Saint Joseph has 4 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Lake Michigan Catholic Middle and High School with a score of 7.9/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Saint Joseph, Michigan?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Saint Joseph is 24.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Saint Joseph, 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.

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

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.