Wayne County Schools & Education
Wayne County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
31/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
81.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,351
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
31/100
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
#48
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Wayne County
School Verdict
Wayne County faces educational challenges with a school score of 31/100 and a graduation rate of 81.7%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,351 per pupil, Wayne County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Wayne County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 13% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Wayne County, Michigan
Michigan's Largest and Most Diverse School System
Wayne County operates a massive network of 566 public schools serving 257,765 students across 134 districts. The landscape is dominated by 319 elementary and 128 high schools, reflecting the high density of this metropolitan region.
Investing in Education Across the Metro Region
The county's graduation rate of 81.7% sits just below the state average of 82.5% and the national mark of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure matches the state closely at $7,351, though it trails the national median investment of $13,000.
Detroit Schools and a Strong Charter Presence
Detroit Public Schools Community District is the largest provider with 48,251 students, followed by Dearborn City Schools with nearly 20,000 students. Charter schools play a major role here, making up 27.0% of all schools with 153 individual campuses.
Large Urban Campuses and Suburban Centers
Education in Wayne County is split almost evenly between 283 city schools and 278 suburban campuses, with very few rural options. While the average school size is 471, flagship institutions like Northville High School serve nearly 2,500 students.
Find Your Ideal Neighborhood and School Match
With over 100 districts to choose from, Wayne County offers an unparalleled variety of educational paths for every family. Start your home search by comparing district performance and charter options to find the best fit for your student.
School Overview
Total Schools
566
in Wayne County
Total Enrollment
257,765
students
School Districts
134
districts
Charter Schools
153
27% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
134 School Districts in Wayne County
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Dearborn City School District
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Livonia Public Schools School District
Wayne-Westland Community School District
Grosse Pointe Public Schools
Taylor School District
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
Lincoln Park School District of the City of
Wyandotte School District of the City of
566 Public Schools in Wayne County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northville High School | Northville Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 2,499 |
| Cass Technical High School | Detroit Public Schools Community District | 9–12 | High | 2,395 |
| Fordson High School | Dearborn City School District | 9–12 | High | 2,339 |
| Western International High School | Detroit Public Schools Community District | 9–12 | High | 2,151 |
| Dearborn High School | Dearborn City School District | 9–12 | High | 1,969 |
| Plymouth High School | Plymouth-Canton Community Schools | 6–12 | High | 1,931 |
| Canton High School | Plymouth-Canton Community Schools | 6–12 | High | 1,890 |
| Salem High School | Plymouth-Canton Community Schools | 6–12 | High | 1,859 |
| Belleville High School | Van Buren Public Schools | 7–12 | High | 1,770 |
| Star International Academy | Star International Academy | PK–12 | Charter | 1,698 |
| Edsel Ford High School | Dearborn City School District | 9–12 | High | 1,639 |
| Stevenson High School | Livonia Public Schools School District | 9–12 | High | 1,636 |
| John Glenn High School | Wayne-Westland Community School District | 8–12 | High | 1,542 |
| Taylor High School | Taylor School District | 9–12 | High | 1,394 |
| Lincoln Park High School | Lincoln Park School District of the City of | 9–12 | High | 1,367 |
| Wayne Memorial High School | Wayne-Westland Community School District | 6–12 | High | 1,361 |
| Crestwood High School | Crestwood School District | 9–12 | High | 1,336 |
| Franklin High School | Livonia Public Schools School District | 9–12 | High | 1,327 |
| Churchill High School | Livonia Public Schools School District | 9–12 | High | 1,241 |
| Grosse Pointe South High School | Grosse Pointe Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,238 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,351
State avg $7,394
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Wayne County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Wayne County?
How much does Wayne County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Wayne County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Wayne County, Michigan?
Wayne County operates a massive network of 566 public schools serving 257,765 students across 134 districts. The landscape is dominated by 319 elementary and 128 high schools, reflecting the high density of this metropolitan region.
How do schools in Wayne County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 81.7% sits just below the state average of 82.5% and the national mark of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure matches the state closely at $7,351, though it trails the national median investment of $13,000.
What are the major school districts in Wayne County, Michigan?
Detroit Public Schools Community District is the largest provider with 48,251 students, followed by Dearborn City Schools with nearly 20,000 students. Charter schools play a major role here, making up 27.0% of all schools with 153 individual campuses.
What is the school experience like in Wayne County?
Education in Wayne County is split almost evenly between 283 city schools and 278 suburban campuses, with very few rural options. While the average school size is 471, flagship institutions like Northville High School serve nearly 2,500 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Wayne County, Michigan?
With over 100 districts to choose from, Wayne County offers an unparalleled variety of educational paths for every family. Start your home search by comparing district performance and charter options to find the best fit for your student.
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.