For the 2025 school year, there are 27 public elementary schools serving 8,638 students in Bay County, MI.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Bay County, MI are Pinconning Central Elementary School, Bangor West Central School and Mackensen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bay County, MI public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 44% statewide average). Elementary schools in Bay County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Bay County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinconning Central Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Bangor West Central School
(Math: 40-44% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Auburn Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 E Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Gr: K-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Western Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 W Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Gr: 6-8 | 714 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Kolb Elementary School
(Math: 36% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #77.
Bangor Lincoln School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2771 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: 5-8 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 34% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Verellen Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
612 Borton Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Gr: 2-4 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Pinconning Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
605 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Gr: 6-8 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Bangor Central School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
208 State Park Dr
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1313.
Linwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1414.
State Street Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | 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
Gr: PK-10 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1515.
Mcalearsawden Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Midland Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Gr: PK-5 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1616.
Christa Mcauliffe Middle School
(Math: 23% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 N Farragut St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Gr: PK-12 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1818.
Bangor Township Virtual School
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4091 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8121
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8121
Gr: K-12 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1919.
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
Gr: PK-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2020.
Handy Middle School
(Math: 13% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2121.
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
Gr: PK-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2222.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
North Central Academy Campus
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | 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
Gr: K-12 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1821 Mckinley St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2525.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
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
Gr: 3-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
800 Nebobish Ave
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Gr: PK-1 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Bay County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
504 Revilo Drive
Bay City, MI 48706
(517) 684-4890
Bay City, MI 48706
(517) 684-4890
Gr: Inquire with school | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
400 N. Madison Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-5480
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-5480
Gr: 6-9 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
111 N Madison Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 631-4746
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 631-4746
Gr: PK-K | 33 students Minority enrollment: 27%
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
Gr: 9-12
201 Woodside Lane
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-7515
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-7515
Gr: Inquire with school | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
805 Langstaff St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9750
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9750
Gr: 4-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Jefferson Center (Closed 2010)
Special Education School
325 Park Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Gr: K | 1 student
4197 North 11 Mile Rd
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-2798
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-2798
Gr: K-6
Pinconning Advancement Academy (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
415 Arthur St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-3251
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 879-3251
Gr: PK
1805 S. Raymond Street
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-3611
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-3611
Gr: K-5 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
325 Park Avenue
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 895-6595
Gr: Inquire with school | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Bay County, MI?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Bay County, MI include Pinconning Central Elementary School, Bangor West Central School and Mackensen Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Bay County?
27 public elementary schools are located in Bay County.
What is the racial composition of students in Bay County?
Bay County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary schools average of 38% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Bay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Bay County include: Handy Middle School vs. Cramer Junior High School, Christa Mcauliffe Middle School vs. Cramer Junior High School, Pinconning Middle School vs. Cramer Junior High School
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.