For the 2025 school year, there are 35 public schools serving 12,828 students in Bay County, MI (there are 18 private schools, serving 2,058 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Bay County, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Bay County, MI are Bangor West Central School, Pinconning High School and Pinconning Central 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 27% (versus the Michigan public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Bay County have an average ranking of 4/10, 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bangor West Central School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Grades: K-5
| 352 students
Rank: #22.
Pinconning High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
605 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0531
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0531
Grades: 9-12
| 385 students
Rank: #33.
Pinconning Central Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | 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
Grades: PK-6
| 382 students
Rank: #44.
Bay City Western High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 W Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4481
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4481
Grades: 9-12
| 1,033 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 248 students
Rank: #66.
Western Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 W Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Grades: 6-8
| 714 students
Rank: #77.
Garber High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
213 Pine St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9710
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9710
Grades: 9-12
| 511 students
Rank: #88.
Auburn Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 E Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Grades: K-5
| 478 students
Rank: #99.
Kolb Elementary School
(Math: 37% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 454 students
Rank: #1010.
Bangor Lincoln School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2771 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Rank: #1111.
Mcalearsawden Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Midland Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Grades: PK-5
| 359 students
Rank: #1212.
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
Grades: 5-8
| 456 students
Rank: #1313.
John Glenn High School
(Math: 20-24% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 893 students
Rank: #1414.
Bangor Township Virtual School
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4091 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8121
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8121
Grades: K-12
| 156 students
Rank: #1515.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 29% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 415 students
Rank: #1616.
Pinconning Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
605 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Grades: 6-8
| 280 students
Rank: #1717.
Verellen Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
612 Borton Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Grades: 2-4
| 293 students
Rank: #1818.
Bay City Central High School
(Math: 20-24% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 989 students
Rank: #1919.
Linwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | 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
Grades: PK-6
| 109 students
Rank: #2020.
Christa Mcauliffe Middle School
(Math: 21% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 650 students
Rank: #2121.
State Street Academy
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | 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
Grades: PK-10
| 259 students
Rank: #2222.
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
Grades: PK-12
| 50 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Bangor Central School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
208 State Park Dr
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Grades: PK-5
| 336 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 N Farragut St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Grades: PK-12
| 363 students
Rank: #2525.
Handy Middle School
(Math: 16% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 618 students
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
Grades: PK-12
| 95 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 131 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Bayarenac Community High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
805 Langstaff St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 893-8811
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 893-8811
Grades: 9-12
| 188 students
Rank: #2929.
North Central Academy Campus
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | 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
Grades: K-12
| 176 students
Rank: #3030.
Linsday
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
607 Lasalle St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-0692
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-0692
Grades: PK-5
| 125 students
Rank: #3131.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 291 students
Rank: #3232.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1821 Mckinley St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Grades: PK-5
| 390 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 60 students
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
Grades: 3-12
| 10 students
Rank: n/an/a
800 Nebobish Ave
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Grades: PK-1
| 242 students
Bay County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
504 Revilo Drive
Bay City, MI 48706
(517) 684-4890
Bay City, MI 48706
(517) 684-4890
Grades: Inquire with school
| 18 students
311 Germania St
Bay City, MI 48706
(231) 218-4746
Bay City, MI 48706
(231) 218-4746
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
400 N. Madison Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-5480
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-5480
Grades: 6-9
| 66 students
120 N Jackson St
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 631-4746
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 631-4746
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
111 N Madison Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 631-4746
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 631-4746
Grades: PK-K
| 33 students
Bay City Virtual School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
201 Woodside Ln
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-5550
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-5550
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
4228 2 Mile Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-4410
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-4410
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
4228 2 Mile Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 667-3208
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 667-3208
Grades: PK
| n/a students
201 Woodside Lane
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-7515
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-7515
Grades: Inquire with school
| 188 students
2169 West Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 496-3430
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 496-3430
Grades: PK
| n/a students
805 Langstaff St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9750
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9750
Grades: 4-5
| 248 students
Jefferson Center (Closed 2010)
Special Education School
325 Park Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Grades: K
| 1 students
4197 North 11 Mile Rd
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-2798
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-2798
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
Pinconning Advancement Academy (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
415 Arthur St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-3251
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-3251
Grades: PK
| n/a students
1805 S. Raymond Street
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-3611
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-3611
Grades: K-5
| 132 students
325 Park Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Grades: Inquire with school
| 171 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Bay County, MI?
The top ranked public schools in Bay County, MI include Bangor West Central School, Pinconning High School and Pinconning Central 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?
86% of all K-12 students in Bay County are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 90%).
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: John Glenn High School vs. Bay City Western High School, Handy Middle School vs. Cramer Junior High School, Bay City Central High School vs. Bay City Western High School
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