For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 5,870 students in Manistee County, MI (there are 2 private schools, serving 260 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Manistee County, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Manistee County, MI are Manistee Isd Center Programs, Manistee Middle High School and Brethren Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Manistee County, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Manistee County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Manistee County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Manistee Isd Center Programs
Special Education School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
772 E Parkdale Ave
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-6205
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-6205
Gr: PK-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Manistee Middle High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
525 12th St
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-2547
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-2547
Gr: 6-12 | 685 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Brethren Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4400 N High Bridge Rd
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5353
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5353
Gr: 7-8 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Onekama Consolidated Schools
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5016 Main St
Onekama, MI 49675
(231) 889-5521
Onekama, MI 49675
(231) 889-5521
Gr: K-12 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
John F Kennedy Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1309 Madison Rd
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-3271
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-3271
Gr: 3-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Bear Lake Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7748 Cody St
Bear Lake, MI 49614
(231) 864-3133
Bear Lake, MI 49614
(231) 864-3133
Gr: PK-6 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Casman Alternative Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
225 9th St
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-4981
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-4981
Gr: 7-12 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
515 Bryant Ave
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-9285
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-9285
Gr: K-2 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
Bear Lake High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7748 Cody St
Bear Lake, MI 49614
(231) 864-3133
Bear Lake, MI 49614
(231) 864-3133
Gr: 7-12 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1010.
Brethren High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4400 N High Bridge Rd
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5353
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5353
Gr: 9-12 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Knd Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4400 Highbridge Rd
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5353
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5353
Gr: K-6 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1212.
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1309 Madison Rd
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 794-5999
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 794-5999
Gr: PK-12 | 3,934 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
Oaks Correctional Facility
Alternative School
1500 Caberfae Hwy
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-8272
Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-8272
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Manistee County, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Manistee County, MI include Manistee Isd Center Programs, Manistee Middle High School and Brethren Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Manistee County?
13 public schools are located in Manistee County.
What percentage of students in Manistee County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Manistee County are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Manistee County?
Manistee County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Manistee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Manistee County include: Manistee Middle High School vs. Onekama Consolidated Schools, Brethren Middle School vs. Onekama Consolidated Schools, Bear Lake High School vs. Onekama Consolidated Schools
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