Skip to main content

Average

#1625 of 3,192 schools in MI

Pontiac High School

High School · Pontiac City School District

1051 ARLENE AVE, Pontiac, MI 48340

Enrollment

942

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,625 of 3,192

In Pontiac

#4 of 13

public schools

In district

#2 of 8

Pontiac City School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Pontiac High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Pontiac High School

6.3/10

High School in Pontiac · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pontiac Academy for Student Success

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pontiac Middle School

4.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pontiac High School

Pontiac High School is a public high school in Pontiac, MI, part of Pontiac City School District. Pontiac High School serves approximately 942 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Pontiac High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,625 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Pontiac High School show 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with MI schools
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Pontiac High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

63% of students at Pontiac 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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate62%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,914
Chronic Absenteeism63.4%

Pontiac High School — Students at Pontiac High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 6.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
6%
ELA
22%
2010
Math
7%
ELA
20%
2011
Math
7%
ELA
19%
2012
Math
7%
ELA
17%
2013
Math
3%
ELA
18%
2014
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
3%
ELA
4%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Pontiac High School Compares

See how Pontiac High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in MI
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Sports
6
4 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
63.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics6sports offered
4 boys'·2 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1051 ARLENE AVE, Pontiac, MI 48340

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pontiac High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Avondale High School (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Auburn Hills), which scores notably higher. Another option is Flex High School of Pontiac (rated 6.0/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HAVENWYCK SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Auburn Hills), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pontiac, see our Pontiac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Pontiac Academy for Student Success Pontiac 0.0 mi
Pontiac Middle School Pontiac 0.2 mi 4.9
Walton Charter Academy Pontiac 0.6 mi 4.9
NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND MARIST ACADEMY Pontiac 0.7 mi 6.6
Herrington School Pontiac 1.2 mi 2.6
HAVENWYCK SCHOOL Auburn Hills 1.2 mi 5.9
Kennedy Center Pontiac 1.9 mi 7.3
Owen Elementary School Pontiac 1.9 mi 5.3
Whitman Elementary School Pontiac 1.9 mi 3.2
Pontiac Academy for Excellence Pontiac 2.2 mi 6.3
Flex High School of Pontiac Pontiac 2.5 mi 6.0
Great Lakes Academy Pontiac 2.6 mi 3.0
Rogers School Auburn Hills 2.2 mi 3.2
OAKLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn Hills 2.4 mi 7.2
SAVE OUR COMMUNITY KORPORATION Pontiac 2.4 mi 7.7
Alcott School Pontiac 2.5 mi 2.4
Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac Pontiac 3.4 mi 4.3
R Grant Graham Elem School Auburn Hills 3.2 mi 5.1
Avondale High School Auburn Hills 3.3 mi 7.5
Auburn Elementary School Auburn Hills 3.4 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48340 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,474

Median Home Value

$105,800

Median Rent

$1,096/mo

Population

25,696

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

43.4%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

22.8%

Median Age

35.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Lapeer High School Lapeer, MI 6.3
Lincoln Senior High School Ypsilanti, MI 6.3
Marshall High School Marshall, MI 6.3
Swartz Creek High School Swartz Creek, MI 6.3
Waterford Kettering High School Waterford, MI 6.3
Clio Area High School Clio, MI 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pontiac High School

What grades does Pontiac High School serve?

Pontiac High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pontiac High School?

Pontiac High School has an enrollment of approximately 942 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pontiac High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pontiac High School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pontiac High School rank in MI?

Pontiac High School ranks #1,625 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Pontiac High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pontiac High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Pontiac High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pontiac High School has 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Pontiac High School a charter school?

No, Pontiac High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pontiac High School a Title I school?

No, Pontiac High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pontiac High School?

77.5% of students at Pontiac 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
942
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Oakland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
63.4%
4-Year Graduation
62.0%

District

Pontiac City School District
District Enrollment
3,659
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,914
District Rank
#2 of 8

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.