Jackson County Schools & Education
Jackson County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
23/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
78.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
78.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,966
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
23/100
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
#67
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jackson County
School Verdict
Jackson County faces educational challenges with a school score of 23/100 and a graduation rate of 78.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,966 per pupil, Jackson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Jackson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 35% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 4.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jackson County, Michigan
A Large Scale Education Network
Jackson County supports 68 public schools and 22,237 students within its 17 school districts. The system is well-distributed with 27 elementary and 27 high schools, plus 9 middle schools.
Investing in Countywide Achievement
Jackson's graduation rate is 78.0%, supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $6,966. While these figures fall below national averages, the county’s scale allows for 16 alternative schools and 3 specialized education facilities.
Public and Charter Diversity
Jackson Public Schools is the largest district with 4,486 students, followed closely by Northwest Community Schools. Five charter schools operate here, representing about 7.4% of the county's educational landscape.
From Suburbs to Rural Landscapes
The locale mix is balanced, featuring 28 rural schools and 26 suburban campuses. Most students attend schools with an average size of 359, though Jackson High School serves over 1,000 learners.
Choosing Your Ideal School Zone
With 17 districts to choose from, families can find a home that perfectly matches their educational preferences, from suburban Northwest to the urban center of Jackson. Explore the variety of alternative and traditional schools as you plan your move.
School Overview
Total Schools
68
in Jackson County
Total Enrollment
22,237
students
School Districts
17
districts
Charter Schools
5
7% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
17 School Districts in Jackson County
Jackson Public Schools
Northwest Community Schools
Western School District
Columbia School District
Napoleon Community Schools
Michigan Center School District
Grass Lake Community Schools
Hanover-Horton School District
Springport Public Schools
East Jackson Community Schools
68 Public Schools in Jackson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson High School | Jackson Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,056 |
| Northwest High School | Northwest Community Schools | 9–12 | High | 972 |
| Northwest Early Elementary School | Northwest Community Schools | KG–2 | Primary | 869 |
| Western High School | Western School District | 9–12 | High | 846 |
| Northwest Kidder Middle School | Northwest Community Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 790 |
| Northwest Elementary School | Northwest Community Schools | 3–5 | Primary | 778 |
| Middle School at Parkside | Jackson Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 766 |
| Columbia Central High School | Columbia School District | 7–12 | High | 654 |
| George Long Elementary School | Grass Lake Community Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 638 |
| Paragon Charter Academy | Paragon Charter Academy | PK–8 | Charter | 620 |
| Western Middle School | Western School District | 6–8 | Middle | 586 |
| Michigan Center JrSr High School | Michigan Center School District | 7–12 | High | 580 |
| Ezra Eby Elementary School | Napoleon Community Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 559 |
| HanoverHorton Elementary School | Hanover-Horton School District | PK–5 | Primary | 498 |
| Northeast Elementary School | Jackson Public Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 481 |
| Springport Elementary School | Springport Public Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 476 |
| Cascades Elementary School | Jackson Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 447 |
| Columbia Upper Elementary School | Columbia School District | 3–6 | Primary | 420 |
| South Central Michigan Virtual | Jackson Public Schools | KG–12 | Other | 411 |
| Keicher Elementary School | Michigan Center School District | 3–6 | Primary | 402 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,966
State avg $7,394
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jackson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jackson County?
How much does Jackson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jackson County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jackson County, Michigan?
Jackson County supports 68 public schools and 22,237 students within its 17 school districts. The system is well-distributed with 27 elementary and 27 high schools, plus 9 middle schools.
How do schools in Jackson County perform academically?
Jackson's graduation rate is 78.0%, supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $6,966. While these figures fall below national averages, the county’s scale allows for 16 alternative schools and 3 specialized education facilities.
What are the major school districts in Jackson County, Michigan?
Jackson Public Schools is the largest district with 4,486 students, followed closely by Northwest Community Schools. Five charter schools operate here, representing about 7.4% of the county's educational landscape.
What is the school experience like in Jackson County?
The locale mix is balanced, featuring 28 rural schools and 26 suburban campuses. Most students attend schools with an average size of 359, though Jackson High School serves over 1,000 learners.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jackson County, Michigan?
With 17 districts to choose from, families can find a home that perfectly matches their educational preferences, from suburban Northwest to the urban center of Jackson. Explore the variety of alternative and traditional schools as you plan your move.
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.