Grand Traverse County Schools & Education
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
43/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
89.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,962
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
43/100
Higher = better
State avg 35/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#21
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Grand Traverse County
School Verdict
Grand Traverse County performs at an average level with a school score of 43/100 and a solid graduation rate of 89.9%.
Funding Context
At $6,962 per pupil, Grand Traverse County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Grand Traverse County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 23% above the Michigan average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 7.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Grand Traverse County, Michigan
Robust Infrastructure in Traverse City
Grand Traverse County features a well-developed system of 31 public schools serving 12,234 students across 7 districts. The landscape is diverse, including 16 elementary schools and 8 high schools to support a growing population.
Exceptional Graduation and School Scores
The county excels with an 89.9% graduation rate, nearly 3 percentage points higher than the national average. Despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,962, the composite school score of 53.4 is one of the highest in the region.
Traverse City Area Public Schools
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) dominates the region, managing 16 schools and 8,689 students. Charter schools also play a significant role, with 5 campuses like Grand Traverse Academy making up 16.1% of all schools.
Large Town Schools Meet Rural Options
The county is split between 16 town-based and 15 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 408 students. West Senior High is the largest facility with 1,509 students, offering a comprehensive high school experience.
Home Buying in a Top-Tier District
Grand Traverse County is a premier destination for families prioritizing school performance and high graduation rates. Researching homes within the TCAPS or Kingsley Area boundaries can provide long-term value for your household.
School Overview
Total Schools
31
in Grand Traverse County
Total Enrollment
12,234
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
5
16% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Grand Traverse County
Traverse City Area Public Schools
Kingsley Area Schools
Grand Traverse Academy
Northwest Education Services
The Greenspire School
Woodland School
Old Mission Peninsula School
31 Public Schools in Grand Traverse County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Senior High | Traverse City Area Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,509 |
| Central High School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | 8–12 | High | 1,387 |
| West Middle School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 1,081 |
| Grand Traverse Academy | Grand Traverse Academy | PK–12 | Charter | 787 |
| East Middle School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 786 |
| Kingsley Area Elementary School | Kingsley Area Schools | PK–4 | Primary | 571 |
| Central Grade School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 516 |
| Kingsley Area High School | Kingsley Area Schools | 9–12 | High | 457 |
| Kingsley Area Middle School | Kingsley Area Schools | 5–8 | Middle | 457 |
| Eastern Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 454 |
| Willow Hill Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 421 |
| Westwoods Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 368 |
| Cherry Knoll Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 357 |
| Long Lake Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 352 |
| TCAPS Montessori School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–8 | Primary | 307 |
| Silver Lake Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 306 |
| Traverse Heights Elem School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 257 |
| Mill Creek Elementary School | Elk Rapids Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 249 |
| Courtade Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 218 |
| Blair Elementary School | Traverse City Area Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 212 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,962
State avg $7,394
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Grand Traverse County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Grand Traverse County?
How much does Grand Traverse County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Grand Traverse County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Grand Traverse County, Michigan?
Grand Traverse County features a well-developed system of 31 public schools serving 12,234 students across 7 districts. The landscape is diverse, including 16 elementary schools and 8 high schools to support a growing population.
How do schools in Grand Traverse County perform academically?
The county excels with an 89.9% graduation rate, nearly 3 percentage points higher than the national average. Despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,962, the composite school score of 53.4 is one of the highest in the region.
What are the major school districts in Grand Traverse County, Michigan?
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) dominates the region, managing 16 schools and 8,689 students. Charter schools also play a significant role, with 5 campuses like Grand Traverse Academy making up 16.1% of all schools.
What is the school experience like in Grand Traverse County?
The county is split between 16 town-based and 15 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 408 students. West Senior High is the largest facility with 1,509 students, offering a comprehensive high school experience.
How can I find homes near good schools in Grand Traverse County, Michigan?
Grand Traverse County is a premier destination for families prioritizing school performance and high graduation rates. Researching homes within the TCAPS or Kingsley Area boundaries can provide long-term value for your household.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.