For the 2026 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 12,828 students in Bay County, MI (there are 18 private schools, serving 1,858 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Bay County, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Bay County, MI are Pinconning Central Elementary School, Bangor West Central School and Mackensen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bay County, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Bay County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Bay County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinconning Central Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
609 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0502
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0502
Gr: PK-6 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Bangor West Central School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3175 Wilder Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-3373
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-3373
Gr: K-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Mackensen Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5535 Dennis Dr
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-4941
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-4941
Gr: PK-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Pinconning High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
605 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0531
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0531
Gr: 9-12 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Auburn Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 E Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Gr: K-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Bay City Western High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 W Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4481
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4481
Gr: 9-12 | 1,009 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Western Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 W Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Gr: 6-8 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Garber High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
213 Pine St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9710
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9710
Gr: 9-12 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
Kolb Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
305 W Crump St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-9518
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-9518
Gr: PK-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
Bangor Lincoln School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2771 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Gr: PK-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Cramer Junior High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
313 Pine St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9740
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9740
Gr: 5-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1212.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1908 W Youngs Ditch Rd
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 893-1100
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 893-1100
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1313.
Verellen Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
612 Borton Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Gr: 2-4 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1414.
Pinconning Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
605 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Gr: 6-8 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1515.
John Glenn High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3201 Kiesel Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7510
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7510
Gr: 9-12 | 864 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1616.
Bangor Central School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
208 State Park Dr
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1717.
Linwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
517 W Center St
Linwood, MI 48634
(989) 697-5711
Linwood, MI 48634
(989) 697-5711
Gr: PK-6 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1818.
State Street Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1110 State St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-6484
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-6484
Gr: PK-11 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1919.
Mcalearsawden Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Midland Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Gr: PK-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2020.
Bay City Central High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1624 Columbus Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 893-9541
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 893-9541
Gr: 9-12 | 921 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2121.
Christa Mcauliffe Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3281 Kiesel Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7640
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7640
Gr: 6-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2222.
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 N Farragut St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Gr: PK-12 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2323.
Bangor Township Virtual School
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4091 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8121
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8121
Gr: K-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2424.
Llcbay Campus
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1435 W Center Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 846-9510
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 846-9510
Gr: PK-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2525.
Handy Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
601 Blend St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-1723
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-1723
Gr: 6-8 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2626.
Isdlocal Programs
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4228 2 Mile Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 667-3276
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 667-3276
Gr: PK-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2727.
Bay City Eastern High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
201 Woodside Ln
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-5550
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-5550
Gr: 9-12 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
North Central Academy Campus
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5055 Corey Rd
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 584-2080
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 584-2080
Gr: K-12 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1821 Mckinley St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3030.
Macgregor Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1012 Fremont St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-1558
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-1558
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #3131.
Bayarenac Community High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
805 Langstaff St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 893-8811
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 893-8811
Gr: 9-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Bay City Adult Educationctp
Alternative School
4155 Monitor Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-4770
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-4770
Gr: 9-12 | 65 students Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Detention Center
Special Education School
520 W Hampton Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 667-3209
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 667-3209
Gr: 4-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
800 Nebobish Ave
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Gr: PK-1 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Bay County, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Bay County, MI include Pinconning Central Elementary School, Bangor West Central School and Mackensen Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Bay County?
35 public schools are located in Bay County.
What percentage of students in Bay County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Bay County are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bay County?
Bay County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Bay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Bay County include: Handy Middle School vs. Cramer Junior High School, Christa Mcauliffe Middle School vs. Cramer Junior High School, John Glenn High School vs. Bay City Western High School
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