For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public middle schools serving 7,453 students in Jackson County, MI.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, MI are Lyle A Torrant Center, Paragon Charter Academy and Western Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, MI public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Michigan public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 44% statewide average). Middle schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Michigan public middle school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Jackson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lyle A Torrant Center
Special Education School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1175 W Parnall Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 787-8910
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 787-8910
Gr: PK-12 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Paragon Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3750 Mccain Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 750-9500
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 750-9500
Gr: PK-8 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
Western Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1400 S Dearing Rd
Parma, MI 49269
(517) 841-8370
Parma, MI 49269
(517) 841-8370
Gr: 6-8 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Way East Jackson
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
345 N Dettman Rd
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 945-1335
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
930 Fleming Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-8088
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2111 Emmons Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 705-5732
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 705-5732
Gr: 6-12 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #77.
Hanoverhorton Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10000 Moscow Rd
Horton, MI 49246
(517) 563-0102
Horton, MI 49246
(517) 563-0102
Gr: 6-8 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Jackson Isd Local Based Special Education Programs
Special Education School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1226 S Wisner St
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-8088
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-8088
Gr: PK-12 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #99.
Columbia Central High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11775 Hewitt Rd
Brooklyn, MI 49230
(517) 592-6634
Brooklyn, MI 49230
(517) 592-6634
Gr: 7-12 | 637 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Napoleon Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
204 West
Napoleon, MI 49261
(517) 905-5718
Napoleon, MI 49261
(517) 905-5718
Gr: 6-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Grass Lake Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Grass Lake Rd
Grass Lake, MI 49240
(517) 867-5550
Grass Lake, MI 49240
(517) 867-5550
Gr: 6-8 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1212.
Vandercook Lake Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1000 E Golf Ave
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-9044
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-9044
Gr: 1-12 | 55 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1313.
Columbia Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4460 N Lake Rd
Clarklake, MI 49234
(517) 529-9400
Clarklake, MI 49234
(517) 529-9400
Gr: 6-12 | 78 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1414.
Michigan Center Jrsr High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 S State St
Michigan Center, MI 49254
(517) 764-1440
Michigan Center, MI 49254
(517) 764-1440
Gr: 7-12 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1515.
Northwest Connect
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6900 Rives Junction Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4702
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4702
Gr: 7-12 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1616.
Northwest Kidder Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6700 Rives Junction Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4703
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 817-4703
Gr: 6-8 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1717.
Concord Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
405 S Main St
Concord, MI 49237
(517) 524-8854
Concord, MI 49237
(517) 524-8854
Gr: 6-8 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1818.
Springport Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
300 W Main St
Springport, MI 49284
(517) 857-3445
Springport, MI 49284
(517) 857-3445
Gr: 6-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1919.
Middle School At Parkside
(Math: 12% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2400 4th St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2300
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2300
Gr: 6-8 | 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2020.
East Jackson Secondary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1566 N Sutton Rd
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 764-1700
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 764-1700
Gr: 7-12 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2121.
Vandercook Lake High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1000 E Golf Ave
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-8167
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-8167
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2222.
Da Vinci Schools
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2985 Springport Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 796-0031
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 796-0031
Gr: K-12 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2323.
South Central Michigan Virtual
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1060 Jackson Xing
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 841-2820
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 841-2820
Gr: K-12 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 80:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2424.
Fourth Street Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2400 4th St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2300
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 841-2300
Gr: 6-8 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, MI?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, MI include Lyle A Torrant Center, Paragon Charter Academy and Western Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Jackson County?
23 public middle schools are located in Jackson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public middle schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Michigan public middle schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Jackson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Jackson County include: Concord Middle School vs. Hanoverhorton Middle School, Northwest Connect vs. Columbia Alternative Education, Middle School At Parkside vs. Northwest Kidder Middle School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.