📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
10 Rated Districts in the Traverse City, MI Metro Area
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among Michigan districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kingsley Area Schools | Kingsley | 10/10 Excellent | 93rd |
| #2 | Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools | Frankfort | 9/10 Excellent | 89th |
| #3 | Leland Public School District | Leland | 9/10 Excellent | 84th |
| #4 | Glen Lake Community Schools | Maple City | 9/10 Excellent | 83rd |
| #5 | Traverse City Area Public Schools | Traverse City | 9/10 Excellent | 81st |
| #6 | Northport Public School District | Northport | 8/10 Good | 77th |
| #7 | Benzie County Central School | Benzonia | 5/10 Average | 45th |
| #8 | Kalkaska Public Schools | Kalkaska | 3/10 Below Average | 28th |
| #9 | Suttons Bay Public Schools | Suttons Bay | 3/10 Below Average | 20th |
| #10 | Forest Area Community Schools | Fife Lake | 2/10 Poor | 11th |
Best School Districts in the Traverse City, MI Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from EDFacts 2021–22 (Michigan) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Traverse City, MI metro area? ▼
Among the 10 rated districts in the Traverse City, MI metro area, the highest-rated is Kingsley Area Schools (Kingsley), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 93rd percentile of Michigan districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.