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Best Public Schools in Jackson, MI (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Jackson Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 39 public schools serving 11,065 students in Jackson, MI (there are 10 private schools, serving 2,274 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Jackson, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson, MI are Sharp Park Academy, Lyle A Torrant Center and Paragon Charter Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Jackson have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Jackson, MI (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sharp Park Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
766 Park Rd
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2860
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #22.
Lyle A Torrant Center
Special Education School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1175 W Parnall Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 787-8910
Gr: PK-12 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Paragon Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3750 Mccain Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 750-9500
Gr: PK-8 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Way East Jackson
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
345 N Dettman Rd
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 945-1335
Gr: 6-12 | 16 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Youth Home Jackson Isd
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
930 Fleming Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-8088
Gr: 3-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Jackson Preparatory Early College
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2111 Emmons Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 705-5732
Gr: 6-12 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #77.
Jackson Isd Local Based Special Education Programs
Special Education School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1226 S Wisner St
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-8088
Gr: PK-12 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
Dibble Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3450 Kibby Rd
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-3970
Gr: K-5 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Jackson Pathways
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
544 Wildwood Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 841-3729
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Vandercook Lake Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 E Golf Ave
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-9044
Gr: 1-12 | 55 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
Northwest Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3757 Lansing Ave
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 817-4704
Gr: 3-5 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1212.
Northwest Connect
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6900 Rives Junction Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4702
Gr: 7-12 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1313.
Northwest High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4200 Van Horn Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4702
Gr: 9-12 | 958 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
Northwest Kidder Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6700 Rives Junction Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4703
Gr: 6-8 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1515.
Jackson High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
544 Wildwood Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 841-3700
Gr: 9-12 | 989 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1616.
Woodville Community Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3950 Catherine St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-8770
Gr: 9-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1717.
Jps Montessori Center
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
820 Bennett St
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 841-3870
Gr: K-5 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1818.
Townsend Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1005 Floyd Ave
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-9044
Gr: PK-6 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1919.
Middle School At Parkside
(Math: 12% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2400 4th St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2300
Gr: 6-8 | 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
East Jackson Secondary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1566 N Sutton Rd
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 764-1700
Gr: 7-12 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Hunt Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1143 N Brown St
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 841-2610
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2222.
Vandercook Lake High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 E Golf Ave
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-8167
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2323.
Da Vinci Schools
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2985 Springport Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 796-0031
Gr: K-12 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2424.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1024 Fleming Ave
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 841-2501
Gr: K-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2525.
South Central Michigan Virtual
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1060 Jackson Xing
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 841-2820
Gr: K-12 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 80:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2626.
Fourth Street Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2400 4th St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2300
Gr: 6-8 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2727.
Cascades Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 S Wisner St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-3900
Gr: K-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2828.
East Jackson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4340 Walz Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 764-1810
Gr: K-6 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2929.
Da Vinci Schools K5
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
559 Murphy St
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 780-9980
Gr: PK-5 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #3030.
John R Lewis Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
154 W Clark St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2600
Gr: K-5 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
Cooper Correctional Facility
Alternative School
3100 Cooper St
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 780-6175
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Cotton Correctional Facility
Alternative School
3500 N Elm Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 780-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: n/an/a
Egeler Correctional Facility
Alternative School
3855 Cooper St
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 780-5600
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Jackson Area Career Center
Vocational School
6800 Browns Lake Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 768-5163
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Jackson County Jail
Alternative School
212 W Wesley St
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 841-2208
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jackson, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson, MI include Sharp Park Academy, Lyle A Torrant Center and Paragon Charter Academy.
How many public schools are located in Jackson?
39 public schools are located in Jackson.
What percentage of students in Jackson go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Jackson are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson?
Jackson public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Jackson are often viewed compared to one another?

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