Best Schools in Waterford, Michigan
21 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 5 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $77,026
- Median home value
- $232,733
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waterford compares
Michigan rank
#197 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Michigan avg (6.3)
Median household income
$77k
105% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
20
About Schools in Waterford, Michigan
Waterford's public school landscape spans 19 ranked schools with a city average of 6.1 out of 10. That average signals a district where most schools land in functional middle-ground performance, but with real spread between the top options and the rest. Three schools — 16 percent of the ranked total — cross the 7.0 threshold, marking a defined tier of stronger performers above the city norm.
The elementary level leads Waterford's performance picture. Cooley Elementary School scores 8.0 out of 10, the highest-rated school in the city. Waterford Montessori Academy follows at 7.6, landing in the top tier alongside Cooley. Both sit well above the 6.1 city average. Schoolcraft Elementary rounds out the group at 6.7 — above average and a solid mid-range option. Two of Waterford's three top-tier schools are at the elementary level, giving families with younger children the widest set of strong choices.
The secondary picture offers at least one clear standout. Mason Middle School scores 6.8, just above the city average, providing a reasonable transition between the stronger elementary options and high school. Waterford Durant High School scores 7.8 — second-highest in the city overall and well above the 6.1 average. Parents planning ahead for high school have a concrete top option to anchor their search.
For parents comparing schools in Waterford, the data tells a specific story: the strongest schools cluster at the elementary and high school ends, while the middle school tier sits near the city average. Performance varies enough across all 19 ranked schools that address-level research matters. Families closest to Cooley or Waterford Montessori Academy are in the district's strongest zone. Those elsewhere should weigh all ranked options carefully — the gap between the city's top score of 8.0 and its average of 6.1 is wide enough to make school selection consequential.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 371 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 204 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 411 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 |
| 4 | 243 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.6 |
| 5 | 306 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 459 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 |
| 7 | 212 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.6 |
| 8 | 284 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 9 | 217 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.4 |
| 10 | 350 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 |
| 11 | 351 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.9 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 729 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 742 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 1,076 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 3 | 902 students · 7th–12th | 5.1 |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 1,362 students · Kindergarten–11th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 290 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 24 students · 15–15 | — | ||
| 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 | 328 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Waterford
Waterford, Michigan · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$77,026
Median Home Value
$232,733
Median Rent
$1,141/mo
Population
70,274
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Community Profile
Waterford has a median household income of $77,026. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,733, with a median rent of $1,141/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Michigan
- Total Schools
- 21
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 5
- Avg Rating
- 6.2/10
Resources
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 Waterford, Michigan
How many schools are in Waterford, Michigan?
Waterford has 21 schools, including 20 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waterford, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waterford is 6.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Waterford, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Cooley Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waterford, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Cooley Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Waterford, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Mason Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Waterford, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Waterford Durant High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Waterford, Michigan?
Waterford is served by 5 school districts: Momentum Academy, Waterford Montessori Academy, Oakside Prep Academy, Waterford School District, Oakland Schools.
What is the education level in Waterford, Michigan?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Waterford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waterford, Michigan?
The median household income in Waterford is approximately $77,026 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waterford, Michigan?
Yes, Waterford has 1 private school alongside 20 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waterford, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waterford is 15.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waterford, 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.