Best Schools in West Branch, Michigan
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in West Branch?
Use this page to compare every school in West Branch 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.
Rose City School
Elementary · West Branch-rose City Area Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ogemaw Heights High School
High · West Branch-rose City Area Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Surline Elementary School
Elementary · West Branch-rose City Area Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in West Branch for 2026 are Rose City School (9.5/10), Ogemaw Heights High School (7.0/10), and Surline Elementary School (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$166,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$166,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in West Branch
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose City School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Ogemaw Heights High School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Surline Elementary School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Surline Middle School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | St Joseph Elementary School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County | 4.6 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $58,767
- Median home value
- $166,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 78%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How West Branch compares
Michigan rank
#122 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$59k
80% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in West Branch, Michigan
West Branch, Michigan is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in West Branch 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 West Branch is Rose City School with a composite score of 9.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
West Branch is served by 2 school districts: Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County, West Branch-Rose City Area Schools. These districts collectively serve 1,971 students.
West Branch's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $58,767. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 106 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.5 | ||
| 2 | 594 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.7 | ||
| 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 | St Joseph Elementary School
Private
69 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.4 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 583 students · 5th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 556 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 130 students · 6th–12th | 4.6 |
Schools in West Branch
West Branch, Michigan · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,767
Median Home Value
$166,500
Median Rent
$839/mo
Population
10,744
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
78%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
West Branch has a median household income of $58,767. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,500, with a median rent of $839/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
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 West Branch, Michigan
How many schools are in West Branch, Michigan?
West Branch has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in West Branch, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in West Branch is 6.6 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 West Branch, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Rose City School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in West Branch, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Rose City School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in West Branch, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Surline Middle School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in West Branch, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Ogemaw Heights High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve West Branch, Michigan?
West Branch is served by 2 school districts: Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County, West Branch-rose City Area Schools.
What is the education level in West Branch, Michigan?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in West Branch have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in West Branch, Michigan?
The median household income in West Branch is approximately $58,767 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in West Branch, Michigan?
Yes, West Branch has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Joseph Elementary School with a score of 5.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Branch, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in West Branch is 19.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in West Branch, 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.