Gogebic County Schools & Education
Gogebic County, Michigan
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
34/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Lower Signal
Graduation Rate
83.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,372
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
34/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 35/100
State Score Position
#39
of 83 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Gogebic County
Measured School Summary
Gogebic County faces educational challenges with a school score of 34/100 and a graduation rate of 83.8%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,372 per pupil, Gogebic County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Gogebic County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
6 public schools and 4 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
34/100
Lower measured signal. Ranks #39 of 83 Michigan counties with school score data.
Completion
83.8%
1.3 pts above the state average
Funding context
$7,372
roughly matches the state average
School coverage
6
4 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
The county-level signal is lower, so review individual schools and local records before interpreting the score. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Gogebic County has 6 public schools across 4 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Gogebic County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Review-carefully county
Gogebic County has a lower measured county-level school signal. Use the school table to look for specific districts or grade bands that may differ from the county average.
State position
#39
of 83 Michigan counties with school score data. The county score is 1 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County
High school only in this slice
728 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
Bessemer Area School District
Elementary and high visible
359 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
Wakefield-Marenisco School District
Other grade structure
252 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
Watersmeet Township School District
Other grade structure
150 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Bessemer Area School District is the largest listed district slice, with 2 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Gogebic County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Gogebic County district systems?
Where do students transition after the visible grade band, and is that next school inside the same district path?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Gogebic County, Michigan
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Traditional Schooling in the Upper Peninsula
Gogebic County's education infrastructure serves 1,489 students through 6 public schools and 4 districts. The county relies heavily on 'Other' school configurations, with three schools offering combined K-12 or similar broad grade ranges.
Ironwood Area and Bessemer Districts
Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County is the largest provider, serving 728 students, while Bessemer Area School District follows with 359 students. The county does not host any charter schools, maintaining a traditional public district model.
A Rural and Small-School Feel
With five of the six schools located in rural areas, students experience a small-town atmosphere and an average school size of 248. The Luther L Wright K12 School is the largest campus with 700 students, while Watersmeet Township School serves just 150.
School Overview
Total Schools
6
in Gogebic County
Reported Enrollment
1,489
6 schools reporting
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
4 School Districts in Gogebic County
Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County
Bessemer Area School District
Wakefield-Marenisco School District
Watersmeet Township School District
6 Public Schools in Gogebic County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 6 of 6 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luther L Wright K12 School | Record | Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County | IRONWOOD, 49938Town: Remote | PK–12 | Other | 700 |
| WakefieldMarenisco School | Record | Wakefield-Marenisco School District | WAKEFIELD, 49968Rural: Distant | PK–12 | Other | 252 |
| Washington School | Record | Bessemer Area School District | BESSEMER, 49911Rural: Distant | KG–6 | Primary | 190 |
| AD Johnston JrSr High School | Record | Bessemer Area School District | BESSEMER, 49911Rural: Distant | 7–12 | High | 169 |
| Watersmeet Township School | Record | Watersmeet Township School District | Watersmeet, 49969Rural: Remote | KG–12 | Other | 150 |
| Gogebic Co Community Education | Record | Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County | IRONWOOD, 49938Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | Alternative | 28 |
Luther L Wright K12 School
Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County
IRONWOOD, 49938 / Town: Remote
WakefieldMarenisco School
Wakefield-Marenisco School District
WAKEFIELD, 49968 / Rural: Distant
Washington School
Bessemer Area School District
BESSEMER, 49911 / Rural: Distant
AD Johnston JrSr High School
Bessemer Area School District
BESSEMER, 49911 / Rural: Distant
Watersmeet Township School
Watersmeet Township School District
Watersmeet, 49969 / Rural: Remote
Gogebic Co Community Education
Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County
IRONWOOD, 49938 / Rural: Fringe
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,372
State avg $7,394
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Gogebic County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Michigan counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Michigan?
How should I read the school score in Gogebic County?
What is the graduation rate in Gogebic County?
How much does Gogebic County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Gogebic County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Gogebic County, Michigan?
Gogebic County's education infrastructure serves 1,489 students through 6 public schools and 4 districts. The county relies heavily on 'Other' school configurations, with three schools offering combined K-12 or similar broad grade ranges.
What are the major school districts in Gogebic County, Michigan?
Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County is the largest provider, serving 728 students, while Bessemer Area School District follows with 359 students. The county does not host any charter schools, maintaining a traditional public district model.
What is the school experience like in Gogebic County?
With five of the six schools located in rural areas, students experience a small-town atmosphere and an average school size of 248. The Luther L Wright K12 School is the largest campus with 700 students, while Watersmeet Township School serves just 150.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.