For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 10,270 students in Traverse City, MI (there are 12 private schools, serving 3,340 private students). 75% of all K-12 students in Traverse City, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Traverse City, MI are Tcaps Montessori School, Courtade Elementary School and Willow Hill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Traverse City, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Traverse City have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Traverse City, MI (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tcaps Montessori School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4053 Franke Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-6420
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-6420
Gr: PK-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Courtade Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1111 Rasho Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5800
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Willow Hill Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1250 Hill St
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-8540
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-8540
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Central High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1150 Milliken Dr
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-6500
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-6500
Gr: 8-12 | 1,326 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Old Mission Peninsula School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2699 Island View Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 225-0225
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 225-0225
Gr: K-6 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
North Ednew Horizons
Special Education School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
933 Rose St
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5685
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5685
Gr: PK-12 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Central Grade School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 W Seventh St
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-5910
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-5910
Gr: PK-7 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Grand Traverse Academy
Charter School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1245 Hammond Rd E
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 932-6008
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 932-6008
Gr: PK-12 | 824 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
West Senior High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5376 N Long Lake Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7502
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7502
Gr: 9-12 | 1,384 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Eastern Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1600 Eastern Ave
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5600
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Woodland School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7224 Supply Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 947-7474
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 947-7474
Gr: K-8 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1212.
West Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3950 Silver Lake Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-8200
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-8200
Gr: 6-8 | 1,081 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
East Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1776 3 Mile Rd N
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-7300
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
North Edbridgeway
Special Education School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
301 S Garfield Ave
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5683
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5683
Gr: PK-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1515.
Traverse City High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3962 3 Mile Rd N
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5860
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5860
Gr: 9-12 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1616.
Life Skills Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
880 Parsons Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-6357
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-6357
Gr: Inquire with school | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1717.
Westwoods Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1500 Fisher Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7900
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7900
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Cherry Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1800 3 Mile Rd N
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 933-8940
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 933-8940
Gr: PK-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Long Lake Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7600 N Long Lake Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7800
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7800
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2020.
The Greenspire School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1026 Red Dr
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 421-5905
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 421-5905
Gr: 6-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2121.
Blair Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1625 Sawyer Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-5700
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2222.
Silver Lake Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5858 Culver Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-3580
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-3580
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2323.
North Edcreekside School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Silver Dr
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-6375
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-6375
Gr: K-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2424.
Traverse Heights Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
933 Rose St
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-3500
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-3500
Gr: PK-5 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
The Greenspire High School
Charter School
2200 Dendrinos Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 421-5905
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 421-5905
Gr: 9-12 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
North Edcareer Technical
Vocational School
880 Parsons Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-6260
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-6260
Gr: 11-12
Traverse City, Michigan Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
3723 Shore Road
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-6420
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-6420
Gr: K-6 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
301 West Seventh St
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-5600
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-5600
Gr: 4-5 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Cherry Knoll Children's Center (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
91800 N. Three Mile Road
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-625
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-625
Gr: Inquire with school | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
1009 S. Oak Street
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7860
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7860
Gr: K-6 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
3113 J Maddy Pkwy
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-1780
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-1780
Gr: PK-12
Montessori At Courtade (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
1111 Rasho Rd
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 933-5800
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 933-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
10781 East Cherry Bend Road
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-8660
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-8660
Gr: K-6 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
P.o. Box 32
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-6570
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-6570
Gr: PK-6 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
2699 Island View Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-7420
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-7420
Gr: PK-5 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
P.o. Box 32
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7910
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7910
Gr: PK-6 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Tba Central Elementary School (Closed 2010)
Special Education School
301 West 7th
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-6244
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-6244
Gr: Inquire with school | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
1101 Red Drive
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 922-7863
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 922-7863
Gr: Inquire with school | 20 students
Tba Se Early Childhood (Closed 2012)
Special Education School
1101 Red Dr
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-6200
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-6200
Gr: PK
Traverse Bay Area Early College High School (Closed 2015)
Vocational School
880 Parsons Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-6262
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 922-6262
Gr: 9-12 | 43 students Minority enrollment: 4%
1402 Carlisle Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 929-4539
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 929-4539
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Traverse City, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Traverse City, MI include Tcaps Montessori School, Courtade Elementary School and Willow Hill Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Traverse City?
26 public schools are located in Traverse City.
What percentage of students in Traverse City go to public school?
75% of all K-12 students in Traverse City are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Traverse City?
Traverse City public schools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Traverse City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Traverse City include: The Greenspire School vs. West Middle School, East Middle School vs. West Middle School, Traverse Heights Elementary School vs. Westwoods Elementary School
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