2026 data 27 schools MI

Best Schools in JACKSON, MI

27 public K-12 schools in JACKSON from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

27 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in JACKSON, MI using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

27
Schools
9,969
Students
Avg Quality
20.2:1
Avg Class Size

How the JACKSON Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

JACKSON, MI enrolls 9,969 students across 27 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, 3 are charter schools, giving families genuine alternatives to the traditional neighbourhood assignment model. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 20.2:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in JACKSON is Jackson High School, scoring 21/100 (F) with 989 enrolled students at the high level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

JACKSON schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect JACKSON housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

JACKSON school enrollment varies 141× across entities

JACKSON school enrollment ranges from 7 students (lowest) to 989 students (highest), a spread of 982 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme heterogeneity inside a single city — small specialty programs sit alongside large comprehensive campuses, often serving very different family demographics inside walking distance. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

JACKSON has higher-than-average Title I eligibility — 70.3% of the population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch

free or reduced-price lunch eligibility is the federal threshold for Title I funding allocations, established under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). Areas above 75% eligibility receive concentration grants on top of the basic Title I formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: ESSA Title I Part A; ED EDFacts file system ESSA Title I Part A; ED EDFacts file system

JACKSON operates 12 school districts — among the most fragmented governance structures in the country

Each school district has independent budgeting, hiring, and service delivery authority. The fragmentation reflects historical patterns of inter-municipal boundary lines that pre-date modern city growth — students in different parts of the same city can attend different districts with different per-pupil spending, calendars, and graduation requirements. Per-region variation is largest in fragmented systems because each school district sets its own budget, contracts, and priorities without higher-level coordination above the regulatory floor.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

JACKSON student-teacher ratio is 20.2:1 — high (typically associated with larger urban scale or staffing constraints that have widened the headcount gap)

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Higher values may reflect larger urban scale or recent resource constraints that have widened the gap.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

JACKSON has higher-than-average charter school authorisation eligibility — 11.1% of the population qualifies for charter-school enrollment options

charter-school enrollment options eligibility is the federal threshold for charter school authorisation funding allocations, established under the state-specific charter law. Areas above 30% eligibility receive concentration grants on top of the basic charter school authorisation formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

# School Score
1. Jackson High School 21 F
2. Northwest High School 23 F
3. Northwest Early Elementary School 13 F
4. Northwest Kidder Middle School 23 F
5. Northwest Elementary School 16 F
6. Middle School at Parkside 23 F
7. Paragon Charter Academy 21 F
8. South Central Michigan Virtual 12 F
9. Cascades Elementary School 20 F
10. Northeast Elementary School 21 F
11. Hunt Elementary School 23 F
12. East Jackson Secondary School 22 F
13. East Jackson Elementary 25 F
14. Sharp Park Academy 27 F
15. Da Vinci Institute 612 33 F
16. Townsend Elementary School 24 F
17. Dibble Elementary School 20 F
18. Jackson Preparatory Early College 21 F
19. Vandercook Lake High School 28 F
20. Jackson Isd Local Based Special Education Programs 38 F
21. Lyle a Torrant Center 43 D
22. Northwest Connect 10 F
23. Jps Montessori Center 20 F
24. John R Lewis Elementary 22 F
25. Da Vinci Institute K5 23 F
26. Woodville Community Center 10 F
27. Ackerson Lake Community Education 37 F
28. Jackson Pathways 25 F
29. Vandercook Lake Virtual Academy 15 F
30. Francis Street Primary School 44 D
31. Fourth Street Learning Center 32 F
32. Youth Home Jackson Isd 61 C+
33. Way East Jackson 15 F
34. Cotton Correctional Facility
35. Parnall Correctional Facility

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in JACKSON, MI?

The top-rated school in JACKSON is Jackson High School with a quality score of 21/100. There are 27 public schools in JACKSON with 9,969 total students.

How many schools are in JACKSON, MI?

JACKSON has 27 public schools with a total enrollment of 9,969 students. 3 are charter schools. Average student-teacher ratio: 20.2:1.

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Related Guides

Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.