Average
#1506 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 47% in state
Bay City Central High School
High School · Bay City School District
1624 COLUMBUS AVE, Bay City, MI 48708
Enrollment
989
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
989
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#1,506 of 3,192
In Bay City
#8 of 20
public schools
In district
#5 of 13
Bay City School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Bay City Central High School
High School in Bay City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Immanuel Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Washington Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bay City Central High School
Bay City Central High School is a public high school in Bay City, MI, part of Bay City School District. Bay City Central High School serves approximately 989 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Bay City Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,506 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Bay City Central High School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- MI avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
53% of students at Bay City Central High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Bay City Central High School — Students at Bay City Central High School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Bay City Central High School Compares
See how Bay City Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1624 COLUMBUS AVE, Bay City, MI 48708
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bay City Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ALL SAINTS CENTRAL MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garber High School (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Essexville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bay City Eastern High School (rated 6.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bay City, see our Bay City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Washington Elementary School Bay City | 0.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Bay City Academy Farragut Campus Bay City | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| ALL SAINTS CENTRAL MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Bay City | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY Bay City | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Hampton Elementary School Bay City | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Bay City Eastern High School Bay City | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| MacGregor Elementary School Bay City | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| WR Bush Elementary School Essexville | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Kolb Elementary School Bay City | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| State Street Academy Bay City | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| BETHEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| LLCBay Campus Essexville | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Handy Middle School Bay City | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| BayArenac Community High School Essexville | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Cramer Junior High School Essexville | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Garber High School Essexville | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48708 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,216
Median Home Value
$98,500
Median Rent
$703/mo
Population
25,751
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
69.2%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Median Age
41.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adrian High School Adrian, MI | 6.4 |
| Cadillac Senior High School Cadillac, MI | 6.4 |
| Flushing High School Flushing, MI | 6.4 |
| Manistee Middle High School Manistee, MI | 6.4 |
| North Branch High School North Branch, MI | 6.4 |
| Reuther Middle School Rochester Hills, MI | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bay City Central High School
What grades does Bay City Central High School serve?
Bay City Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bay City Central High School?
Bay City Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 989 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bay City Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bay City Central High School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bay City Central High School rank in MI?
Bay City Central High School ranks #1,506 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Bay City Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bay City Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bay City Central High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bay City Central High School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
Is Bay City Central High School a charter school?
No, Bay City Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bay City Central High School a Title I school?
No, Bay City Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bay City Central High School?
68.5% of students at Bay City Central High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 989
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Bay County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.8%
- Phone
- (989) 893-9541
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.0%
Resources & Links
District
Bay City School District- District Enrollment
- 6,180
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,093
- District Rank
- #5 of 13
How we rate schools
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