Traverse City Area Public Schools

The Traverse City Area Public Schools district encompasses 16 schools, including 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools, serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district as a whole is ranked 168 out of 610 in Traverse City Area Public Schools and is rated 4 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Several schools stand out in the district, including TCAPS Montessori School, which consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in the state, and Willow Hill Elementary School, which also performs very well. At the high school level, Central High School is the highest ranked in the district, ranking 136th out of 743 Michigan high schools in 2023-2024.

However, the data reveals significant disparities in performance and outcomes across the schools in the district. While some schools are excelling, others, such as Traverse Heights Elementary and Traverse City High School, are struggling with very low test scores, high chronic absenteeism, and poor graduation rates. These disparities appear to be correlated with the socioeconomic status of the student population, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, suggesting the district may need to focus on targeted interventions and support to address these challenges.