Average
#1850 of 3,190 schools in MI
Bay City Western High School
High School · Bay City School District
500 WEST MIDLAND RD, Auburn, MI 48611
Enrollment
1,033
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,033
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Auburn
#1 of 3
public schools
Michigan high schools
#412 of 812
In district
#5 of 13
Bay City School District
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Bay City Western High School
Bay City Western High School serves 1,033 students in grades 9-12 in Auburn, Michigan, operating as a regular public school with 45 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23:1. The school currently ranks #2913 out of 3204 high schools statewide, placing it in the 9th percentile, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. Located at 500 West Midland Road, the school serves a community where families demonstrate strong economic stability, with a median household income of $78,488 and a relatively low poverty rate of 6.6%.
The surrounding ZIP code of 48611 is home to approximately 6,135 residents, with 36% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a moderately educated community that values learning. Despite the current academic challenges, Bay City Western High School operates in an environment with solid community resources and family support systems. The school's substantial enrollment of over 1,000 students suggests it plays a central role in the local educational landscape.
Bay City Western High School is situated in Auburn's small suburban setting within Bay County, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining the resources of a larger high school.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bay City Western High School is 23:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Bay City Western High School — Students at Bay City Western High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 3.9/10.
How Bay City Western High School Compares
See how Bay City Western High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 35% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 61% (2021).
Location
500 WEST MIDLAND RD, Auburn, MI 48611
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bay City Western High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Midland High School (rated 6.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Midland), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Great Lakes Bay Early College (rated 6.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Saginaw), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bay City Adult EducationCTP (rated 5.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Bay City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Auburn, see our Auburn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Western Middle School Auburn | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| AUBURN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Auburn Elementary School Auburn | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL, MONITOR Bay City | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Freeland Middle SchoolHigh School Freeland | 5.5 mi | 5.3 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Auburn | 5.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Freeland Learning Center Freeland | 6.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Freeland Elementary School Freeland | 6.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Great Lakes Bay Early College Saginaw | 5.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Saginaw Correctional Facility Freeland | 7.0 mi | — |
| Juvenile Justice Center Midland | 5.4 mi | — |
| McAlearSawden Elem School Bay City | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Chestnut Hill Elementary School Midland | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Midland High School Midland | 6.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Bay City Adult EducationCTP Bay City | 6.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Northeast Middle School Midland | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Plymouth Elementary School Midland | 7.1 mi | 8.3 |
| TRI-CITY SDA SCHOOL Saginaw | 8.8 mi | — |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 7.3 mi | 4.8 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Midland | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,511
Median Home Value
$166,500
Median Rent
$901/mo
Population
6,013
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
84.5%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
45.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bay City Western High School has a median household income of $80,511. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,500, with a median rent of $901/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Corunna High School Corunna, MI | 6.0 |
| Grand River Preparatory High School Grand Rapids, MI | 6.0 |
| John Glenn High School Bay City, MI | 6.0 |
| Monroe High School Monroe, MI | 6.0 |
| Thornapple Kellogg High School Middleville, MI | 6.0 |
| Westfield Preparatory High School Redford, MI | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bay City Western High School
What grades does Bay City Western High School serve?
Bay City Western High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bay City Western High School?
Bay City Western High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,033 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bay City Western High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bay City Western High School is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bay City Western High School rank in MI?
Bay City Western High School is ranked #1850 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Bay City Western High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bay City Western High School has a composite rating of 6.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bay City Western High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bay City Western High School has 38.5% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bay City Western High School a charter school?
No, Bay City Western High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bay City Western High School a Title I school?
No, Bay City Western High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bay City Western High School?
32.9% of students at Bay City Western 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,033
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Bay County
- Phone
- (989) 662-4481
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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