Mason County Schools & Education
Mason County, Michigan
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
32/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Lower Signal
Graduation Rate
84.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,131
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
32/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 35/100
State Score Position
#43
of 83 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Mason County
Measured School Summary
Mason County faces educational challenges with a school score of 32/100 and a graduation rate of 84.6%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,131 per pupil, Mason County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Mason 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
13 public schools and 5 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
32/100
Lower measured signal. Ranks #43 of 83 Michigan counties with school score data.
Completion
84.6%
2.1 pts above the state average
Funding context
$7,131
$263 below the state average
School coverage
13
5 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
Mason County has 13 public schools across 5 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 Mason 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
Mason 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
#43
of 83 Michigan counties with school score data. The county score is 3 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.
Ludington Area School District
Elementary to high school visible
2,072 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
Mason County Central Schools
Elementary to high school visible
1,260 students
5 listed schools in this county slice.
Mason County Eastern Schools
Elementary and high visible
382 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
Gateway To Success Academy
High school only in this slice
107 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Mason County Central Schools is the largest listed district slice, with 5 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 Mason County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Mason County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Mason 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.
Strategic Schooling Along the Lakeshore
Mason County's education system consists of 13 public schools serving 3,915 students across five districts. The county provides five elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools to meet local needs. This compact infrastructure ensures that most residents are just a short drive from their local campus.
Ludington Area Schools Anchor the County
Ludington Area School District is the largest provider, serving 2,072 students across three primary campuses. Mason County Central Schools follows with five schools and 1,260 students, offering more dispersed rural options. Charter schools have a small presence here, with only one institution serving the community.
Traditional Rural and Town Campus Life
The majority of schools (10) are located in rural settings, while 3 are situated in town centers like Ludington. The average enrollment of 326 students creates a manageable and friendly school atmosphere for most kids. Ludington Elementary is the largest single school with 900 students, providing a more comprehensive early-childhood experience.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Mason County
Reported Enrollment
3,915
13 schools reporting
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
1
8% of total
School Level Breakdown
5 School Districts in Mason County
Ludington Area School District
Mason County Central Schools
Mason County Eastern Schools
Gateway To Success Academy
West Shore Educational Service District
13 Public Schools in Mason 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 13 of 13 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludington Elementary School | Record | Ludington Area School District | LUDINGTON, 49431Town: Remote | PK–5 | Primary | 900 |
| Ludington High School | Record | Ludington Area School District | LUDINGTON, 49431Town: Remote | 9–12 | High | 695 |
| OJ DeJonge Middle School | Record | Ludington Area School District | LUDINGTON, 49431Town: Remote | 6–8 | Middle | 477 |
| Mason County Central HS | Record | Mason County Central Schools | SCOTTVILLE, 49454Rural: Distant | 9–12 | High | 407 |
| Mason County Central MS | Record | Mason County Central Schools | SCOTTVILLE, 49454Rural: Distant | 6–8 | Middle | 297 |
| Scottville Elementary School | Record | Mason County Central Schools | SCOTTVILLE, 49454Rural: Distant | KG–2 | Primary | 254 |
| Mason County Central Upper Elementary | Record | Mason County Central Schools | SCOTTVILLE, 49454Rural: Distant | 3–5 | Primary | 249 |
| Mason County Eastern Elem Sch | Record | Mason County Eastern Schools | CUSTER, 49405Rural: Distant | PK–6 | Primary | 211 |
| Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School | Record | Mason County Eastern Schools | CUSTER, 49405Rural: Distant | 7–12 | High | 171 |
| Gateway To Success Academy | Record | Gateway To Success Academy | SCOTTVILLE, 49454Rural: Distant | 6–12 | Charter | 107 |
| Developmental ClassroomsWSESD | Record | West Shore Educational Service District | LUDINGTON, 49431Rural: Fringe | KG–12 | Special Education | 94 |
| Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc | Record | Mason County Central Schools | Ludington, 49431Rural: Fringe | 11–12 | High | 53 |
| Early Childhood SEWSESD | Record | West Shore Educational Service District | LUDINGTON, 49431Rural: Fringe | PK–KG | Special Education | 0 |
Ludington Elementary School
Ludington Area School District
LUDINGTON, 49431 / Town: Remote
Ludington High School
Ludington Area School District
LUDINGTON, 49431 / Town: Remote
OJ DeJonge Middle School
Ludington Area School District
LUDINGTON, 49431 / Town: Remote
Mason County Central HS
Mason County Central Schools
SCOTTVILLE, 49454 / Rural: Distant
Mason County Central MS
Mason County Central Schools
SCOTTVILLE, 49454 / Rural: Distant
Scottville Elementary School
Mason County Central Schools
SCOTTVILLE, 49454 / Rural: Distant
Mason County Central Upper Elementary
Mason County Central Schools
SCOTTVILLE, 49454 / Rural: Distant
Mason County Eastern Elem Sch
Mason County Eastern Schools
CUSTER, 49405 / Rural: Distant
Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School
Mason County Eastern Schools
CUSTER, 49405 / Rural: Distant
Gateway To Success Academy
Gateway To Success Academy
SCOTTVILLE, 49454 / Rural: Distant
Developmental ClassroomsWSESD
West Shore Educational Service District
LUDINGTON, 49431 / Rural: Fringe
Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc
Mason County Central Schools
Ludington, 49431 / Rural: Fringe
Early Childhood SEWSESD
West Shore Educational Service District
LUDINGTON, 49431 / Rural: Fringe
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,131
State avg $7,394
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Mason 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 Mason County?
What is the graduation rate in Mason County?
How much does Mason County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Mason County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Mason County, Michigan?
Mason County's education system consists of 13 public schools serving 3,915 students across five districts. The county provides five elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools to meet local needs. This compact infrastructure ensures that most residents are just a short drive from their local campus.
What are the major school districts in Mason County, Michigan?
Ludington Area School District is the largest provider, serving 2,072 students across three primary campuses. Mason County Central Schools follows with five schools and 1,260 students, offering more dispersed rural options. Charter schools have a small presence here, with only one institution serving the community.
What is the school experience like in Mason County?
The majority of schools (10) are located in rural settings, while 3 are situated in town centers like Ludington. The average enrollment of 326 students creates a manageable and friendly school atmosphere for most kids. Ludington Elementary is the largest single school with 900 students, providing a more comprehensive early-childhood experience.
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.