Best Schools in Ypsilanti, Michigan
30 schools · 17 Elementary · 3 Middle · 9 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Ypsilanti?
Use this page to compare every school in Ypsilanti 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.
Ypsilanti Stemm Middle College
High · Ypsilanti Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Washtenaw International High School
High · Washtenaw ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
South Arbor Charter Academy
Elementary · South Arbor Charter Academy. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ypsilanti for 2026 are Ypsilanti Stemm Middle College (8.0/10), Washtenaw International High School (7.9/10), and South Arbor Charter Academy (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 24 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
30
29 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$226,200
home value · ACS
Districts
12
serving the city
Schools
30
29 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$226,200
home value · ACS
Districts
12
serving the city
Rates 7.7/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 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 Ypsilanti schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Ypsilanti
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 24 rated schools; 30 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ypsilanti Stemm Middle College | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Washtenaw International High School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | South Arbor Charter Academy | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Global Tech Academy | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Early College Alliance | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Ypsilanti International Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 7 | South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | East Arbor Charter Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Holmes Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Washtenaw International Middle Academy | 6.8 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $67,296
- Median home value
- $226,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
31% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ypsilanti compares
Michigan rank
#249 of 376
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
92% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
29
12 districts draw attendance lines through Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti is not one school system. 12 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 41% of the public campuses.
Ypsilanti Community Schools is the largest slice at 12 of 29 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Ypsilanti address is choosing a district first.
Among 24 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.3 to 8.0 — the spread is inside Ypsilanti, not a citywide average.
7 of the 29 public schools are charters (24%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Ypsilanti Community Schools12 public · 41%
- Lincoln Consolidated School District6 public · 21%
- Washtenaw ISD2 public · 7%
- Arbor Preparatory High School1 public · 3%
- East Arbor Charter Academy1 public · 3%
About Schools in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti's public school landscape spans 28 ranked schools with an average score of 6.2 out of 10 — a competitive baseline that leaves real room to find high performers if parents know where to look. Eight schools, or 29% of the ranked total, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, giving families a meaningful set of strong options across grade levels.
The top of that list is led by Arbor Preparatory High School, the city's highest-rated school at 8.5 out of 10. It's joined near the top by Washtenaw International High School (8.3) and Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College (7.8), making Ypsilanti notably strong at the high school level for a city its size. On the elementary side, Ypsilanti International Elementary School (8.0) and East Arbor Charter Academy (7.9) both crack the top five, so younger students have high-quality options before reaching the secondary years.
A pattern worth noting: several of Ypsilanti's strongest schools carry an international or STEMM focus. Families who value academic depth, project-based learning, or college-prep rigor should look closely at this cluster. The word "international" appearing in three of the top five schools signals a deliberate academic identity — these are not default-enrollment neighborhood schools but selective or themed programs that draw students from across the area.
The 6.2 average also means families should research individual schools carefully rather than assuming neighborhood assignment will land a child in a top performer. With 72% of ranked schools below the 7-point mark, there's meaningful variation across the city. Checking each school's specific score, enrollment process, and whether it requires an application or lottery is a practical first step. Parents zoned to a lower-rated school often find that an Ypsilanti-based charter or magnet program is accessible without relocating. Start with Arbor Prep, Washtenaw International, and Ypsilanti International Elementary as anchors, then work outward based on grade level and commute.
Elementary Schools
17 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 802 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 199 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 381 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 604 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 473 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.0 |
| 6 | 246 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.0 |
| 7 | 64 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.4 |
| 8 | 258 students · Pre-K–1st | 5.6 |
| 9 | 102 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.4 |
| 10 | 195 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.3 |
Show all 17 elementary schools in Ypsilanti
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 207 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 419 students · 5th–8th | 5.7 |
| 3 | 687 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 118 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 537 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | 442 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 4 | 157 students · 6th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 5 | 289 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 6 | 888 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 7 | 469 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 8 | 3 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Arbor Valley AcademyPrivate 266 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 128 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.8 |
Schools in Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti, Michigan · 30 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$67,296
Median Home Value
$226,200
Median Rent
$1,200/mo
Population
105,418
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Community Profile
Ypsilanti has a median household income of $67,296. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,200, with a median rent of $1,200/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 17
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 9
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (12)
Michigan Department of Corrections
25 schools · 49 students
South Arbor Charter Academy
1 school · 802 students
Fortis Academy
1 school · 639 students
Arbor Preparatory High School
1 school · 289 students
East Arbor Charter Academy
1 school · 473 students
South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy
1 school · 604 students
Global Tech Academy
1 school · 199 students
Lincoln Consolidated School District
6 schools · 3,483 students
Van Buren Public Schools
8 schools · 4,293 students
Ypsilanti Community Schools
12 schools · 3,747 students
Washtenaw ISD
9 schools · 1,028 students
Pittsfield Acres Academy
1 school · 64 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 Ypsilanti, Michigan
How many schools are in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
Ypsilanti has 30 schools, including 29 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ypsilanti is 5.9 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 Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Ypsilanti on MySchoolScout is Ypsilanti Stemm Middle College with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ypsilanti on MySchoolScout is South Arbor Charter Academy with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Ypsilanti on MySchoolScout is Washtenaw International Middle Academy with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Ypsilanti on MySchoolScout is Ypsilanti Stemm Middle College with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Ypsilanti, Michigan?
Ypsilanti is served by 12 school districts: Michigan Department of Corrections, South Arbor Charter Academy, Fortis Academy, Arbor Preparatory High School, East Arbor Charter Academy, South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy, Global Tech Academy, Lincoln Consolidated School District, Van Buren Public Schools, Ypsilanti Community Schools, Washtenaw ISD, Pittsfield Acres Academy.
What is the education level in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Ypsilanti have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The median household income in Ypsilanti is approximately $67,296 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
Yes, Ypsilanti has 1 private school alongside 29 public schools. The top-rated private school is Arbor Valley Academy with a score of 4.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ypsilanti is 17.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ypsilanti, 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.