Michigan, August 20, 2025
News Summary
U.S. News & World Report has recognized four Michigan high schools as among the top 100 in the nation for educational excellence. The International Academy of Macomb leads Michigan at 1st place and 11th nationally. Other notable schools include the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills and City High Middle School. This acknowledgment highlights the commitment to academic standards and student success in Michigan’s education system, reinforcing the importance of SAT scores, college readiness, and graduation rates for ranking.
U.S. News & World Report has recognized four Michigan high schools among its top 100 in the nation for the 2025-26 school year, highlighting the state’s commitment to educational excellence. Among nearly 18,000 public high schools evaluated across the country, these institutions were recognized for their impressive performance in various areas such as state assessment proficiency, college readiness, and graduation rates.
The International Academy of Macomb leads the pack, securing the 1st position in Michigan and the 11th nationwide. Close behind are the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills at 2nd in the state and 21st nationally, followed by City High Middle School, which ranks 3rd in Michigan. The Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy and Washtenaw International High School round out the top five in Michigan but do not have a national ranking.
The rankings are based on multiple factors, including the performance of underserved students, the availability of college curriculum, and the successful completion of Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. This year’s evaluation shows that the top-performing schools in Michigan have maintained their rankings from the previous year, indicating consistent performance in educational standards.
Notably, Hartland High School made significant strides, climbing from 112th to 69th in Michigan, largely attributed to an 81% passing rate on AP exams. This improvement reflects a growing commitment to AP participation and academic rigor.
Several schools from the WHMI listening area also ranked, with Okemos High School in 18th place statewide and 703rd nationally, followed by Chelsea High School at 27th in Michigan and 859th nationally. Other notable mentions include Dexter High School at 37th, Charyl Stockwell Academy High School at 40th, and Brighton High School at 42nd. Lower-ranked schools include Milford High School at 101st, Fenton High School at 108th, and Howell High School at 273rd.
The U.S. News rankings provide a comprehensive look at high school performance based on data collected during the 2022-2023 school year. This analysis is critical for families and communities seeking to make informed decisions about education and investments in their local schools.
Top Michigan High Schools in 2025-26 Rankings
- 1. International Academy of Macomb – 1st in Michigan, 11th nationally
- 2. International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) – 2nd in Michigan, 21st nationally
- 3. City High Middle School – 3rd in Michigan, no national rank
- 4. Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy – 4th in Michigan, no national rank
- 5. Washtenaw International High School – 5th in Michigan, no national rank
Additional Rankings in WHMI Area
- Okemos High School: 18th in Michigan, 703rd nationally
- Chelsea High School: 27th in Michigan, 859th nationally
- Dexter High School: 37th in Michigan, 1311th nationally
- Charyl Stockwell Academy High School: 40th in Michigan, 1544th nationally
- Brighton High School: 42nd in Michigan, 1578th nationally
- South Lyon East High School: 57th in Michigan, 1985th nationally
- South Lyon High School: 68th in Michigan, 2195th nationally
Schools with Lower Rankings
- Milford High School: 101st in Michigan, 3244th nationally
- Fenton High School: 108th in Michigan, 3454th nationally
- Linden High School: 135th in Michigan, 4272nd nationally
- Mason High School: 138th in Michigan, 4330th nationally
- Howell High School: 273rd in Michigan, 7630th nationally
- Fowlerville High School: 358th in Michigan, 10348th nationally
FAQ Section
What criteria are used to rank the schools?
Schools are ranked based on several criteria including state assessment proficiency, performance of underserved students, college curriculum availability, graduation rates, and college readiness as measured by Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam results.
How many schools were evaluated for this ranking?
Nearly 18,000 out of over 24,000 public high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia were evaluated for the rankings.
What school is ranked the highest in Michigan?
The highest-ranked school in Michigan is the International Academy of Macomb, which is ranked 1st in the state and 11th nationally.
How does Hartland High School rank compared to last year?
Hartland High School improved significantly from 112th place in Michigan last year to 69th in the latest rankings.
Key Features of the Rankings
| School Name | State Rank | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| International Academy of Macomb | 1st | 11th |
| International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) | 2nd | 21st |
| City High Middle School | 3rd | No Ranking |
| Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy | 4th | No Ranking |
| Washtenaw International High School | 5th | No Ranking |
| Hartland High School | 69th | No Ranking |
| Okemos High School | 18th | 703rd |
| Chelsea High School | 27th | 859th |
| Brighton High School | 42nd | 1578th |
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Michigan’s Top High Schools 2025
- Wikipedia: High School
- Audacy: Michigan High Schools Ranked
- Google Search: Best High Schools in Michigan
- WHMI: U.S. News Best High School Rankings 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Patch: Top 25 High Schools in Michigan 2025
- Google News: Michigan High Schools 2025
- CBS News: Best High Schools in Michigan Ranking
- Google Scholar: Best High Schools in Michigan
- WKFR: Best High Schools in Michigan 2025
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