Michigan Education: Comprehensive Guide to MI Schools & Resources

Michigan serves over 1.2 million students through 530+ traditional public school districts plus 368 charter schools (Public School Academies), achieving historic highs with an 82.8% graduation rate while investing $448 million annually to address teacher shortages. The state features the nation's #1-ranked Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for pre-K, Schools of Choice since 1996, and a $9,608 foundation allowance per pupil, though persistent achievement gaps remain a critical challenge particularly in Detroit and high-poverty districts.

1.2M

Public School Students

530+ Districts

82.8%

Graduation Rate

Historic High (2024)

$9,608

Foundation Allowance

Per Pupil (FY25)

368

Charter Schools

150K Students

📚 Table of Contents

🏛️ Michigan Education System Overview

Key Statistics & National Context

  • Public School Enrollment: 1,204,887 students in traditional districts (Fall 2024), down 0.8% from prior year
  • Traditional Districts: 530+ public school districts
  • Charter Schools: 368 Public School Academies serving ~150,000 students
  • Graduation Rate: 82.8% (2024) - highest in Michigan history
  • Foundation Allowance: $9,608 per pupil (FY 2024-25)
  • Total Education Budget: $23.4 billion (FY2025), up from $23 billion (FY2024)

Michigan Department of Education

Leadership: Interim Superintendent Sue C. Carnell (until Glenn Maleyko assumes role December 8, 2025)

Structure: The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) oversees K-12 public education while maintaining significant local control

Website: Michigan Department of Education

Recent Achievements

FY25 Education Budget Highlights

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a historic $23 billion education budget including:

  • Free Pre-K for All: Access to universal pre-K
  • Free School Meals: For all students
  • Mental Health Resources: On-campus support
  • Tuition-Free Community College: For every high school graduate
  • Teacher Support: $589 million to offset retirement system payments (~$400/student equivalent)

🏫 School Districts & Enrollment Trends

Traditional Public School Districts

Fall 2024 Enrollment: 1,204,887 students, a drop of 0.8% (about 10,100 fewer students) from 2023-24

Notable Enrollment Changes

Largest Gains:

  • Detroit Public Schools Community District: 48,117 students (+536), biggest jump of any traditional district
  • Virtual Schools: Highpoint Virtual Academy + Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy added 1,100 students combined (17% increase)

Enrollment Growth Areas

  • Pre-K: 53,882 students (up from 48,993 in 2023-24)
  • Early Middle College: Nearly 15,900 students (up from 14,854 in 2023)
  • Advanced Placement: 78,275 students (+8,544 over two years, +12.3%)

Demographic Shifts

  • White students: Down 10,600
  • Hispanic, Black, Asian students: Up 6,047 combined

Data Resources: MI School Data Portal provides district-by-district enrollment, assessment, and financial data

📊 Academic Performance, NAEP Results & Achievement Gaps

2024 NAEP Rankings: Significant Challenges

Grade & SubjectMichigan ProficientNational AverageState Ranking
4th Grade Reading25%30%#44 (down from #43 in 2022)
4th Grade MathematicsImprovedNational averagePositive trend
8th Grade ReadingNo significant changeSimilar to national#33
8th Grade MathematicsDecliningBelow national#31 (down from #26 in 2022)

Score Trends Since COVID

  • 4th Grade Reading: 218 before COVID → 209 in 2024 (9-point decline, 5 points below national average)
  • 8th Grade Math: 10-point decline from 2019 to 2024
  • No Significant Improvement: Since 2022, when scores hit historic lows

Critical Achievement Gaps

Detroit Public Schools Performance

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) shows both challenges and improvements:

Challenges

  • 3rd Grade Reading: Only 13% proficient (vs. 39% statewide)
  • 4th Grade Math: 7% proficient (vs. 37% Michigan, 39% nationally)
  • NAEP 4th Grade Math: Average score 200 (up from 194 in 2022, but still bottom among large districts)
  • Historical Context: At bottom since 2009

Positive Signs

  • 11-Year High: Third grade reading proficiency on M-STEP (2025)
  • Steady Incremental Improvement: Across all grade levels in most subject areas
  • Enrollment Growth: 536-student increase (Fall 2024), largest gain of any traditional district

Graduation Rates

  • 2024: 82.8% (highest in Michigan history)
  • 2018-19: 81.41% (up from 80.64% in 2017-18)
  • Four-Year Trend (2014-2019): Increased 1.62 percentage points (79.79% → 81.41%)

🎯 Charter Schools (Public School Academies)

What are Public School Academies (PSAs)?

Charter schools in Michigan are called Public School Academies (PSAs) and are public schools operating under a charter contract issued by a public authorizing body, usually a state university. They are state-supported public schools under the Revised School Code.

Key Statistics

  • 368 Charter Schools across Michigan
  • 295 Charter School Districts
  • ~150,000 Students attend charter schools
  • ~50% in Detroit: About half of charter students are in Detroit

Charter School Governance & Transparency

Charter School Authorization

Charter contracts typically issued by:

  • State universities
  • Community colleges
  • Intermediate school districts
  • Local school districts (in some cases)

Enrollment & Accessibility

  • Tuition-Free: Charter schools are public schools with no tuition
  • Open Enrollment: Must admit all students who apply (if space available)
  • Lottery System: Used when applications exceed capacity
  • Transportation: Varies by charter; not always provided

Resources:

🏠 Homeschooling in Michigan

Legal Framework: Two Options

Option 1: Homeschool as Nonpublic School (Most Common)

Operate home education as a nonpublic school under Michigan law:

Age Requirements
  • Ages 6-16: Children must attend school
  • No specific homeschool age exemptions
Required Subjects

Homeschools must teach:

  • Reading
  • Spelling
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • History
  • Civics
  • Literature
  • Writing
  • Grammar
Parent Qualifications
  • No education requirements for homeschooling parents
  • No teaching certificate required
  • No formal education standards
Testing & Record-Keeping
  • No required tests for homeschool students
  • No specific record-keeping requirements (though recommended)
  • No portfolio or progress reports to submit

Option 2: Homeschool Under Michigan Exemption

Alternative option with similar requirements but different legal framework.

Enrollment/Notification

  • NOT REQUIRED: Parents are not required to inform anyone of decision to homeschool
  • Recommended: Letting local school district know can help avoid confusion
  • If withdrawing from public school: Notify district of withdrawal to avoid truancy concerns

Support Organizations

Several organizations support Michigan homeschooling families:

  • Regional homeschool co-ops
  • Curriculum fairs and conferences
  • Online support groups
  • Field trip organizations

Resources:

🎓 Higher Education in Michigan

Major Public Universities

Michigan State University (MSU)

Location: East Lansing

Enrollment: 52,089 students (Fall 2024, record high)

Undergraduates: 41,415 (largest number to date)

Status: R1 land-grant research university

Diversity: Most diverse student body in MSU history (28.8% students of color)

University of Michigan (U-M)

Locations: Ann Arbor (main), Dearborn, Flint

Status: R1 flagship public research university

Notable: One of top public universities nationally

Wayne State University

Location: Detroit

Status: R1 research university

Notable: Urban research institution serving diverse population

Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)

GSRP Eligibility

  • Income Priority: At or below 400% of federal poverty limit (~$128,000 for family of four)
  • Age: Four-year-olds
  • Cost: Free for eligible families

Other Pre-K Programs

  • Head Start: Priority for families at/below federal poverty level ($32,150 for family of four) or receiving TANF, SSI, SNAP
  • Strong Beginnings: State-funded pilot for three-year-olds (178 participants, $2.2M funding, 2022-23)

PreK for All Initiative

Michigan's bold goal: Deliver access to high-quality pre-K to all 4-year-olds in the state. The PreK for All Roadmap charts the path forward with input from families, providers, and partners.

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Michigan's CTE system prepares students for college and careers through:

  • 27 Perkins Regions
  • 53 Career Education Planning Districts
  • Numerous Area Technical Centers throughout Michigan
  • Industry Certifications: Students can earn college credit and certifications
  • Delivery Settings: Comprehensive high schools, CTE-dedicated high schools, magnet schools, area technical centers, community colleges

Resources:

👨‍🏫 Teachers, Compensation & Shortage Crisis

Teacher Compensation

Salary Statistics

MetricAmountContext
Average Starting Salary$41,645Rank among lowest in nation
Average Teacher Salary (NEA)$69,067Higher than some sources
Average Salary (2021-22)$64,884$2,000 below national average ($66,745)
Wage Penalty: Michigan teachers earn 20.7% less than college graduates with similar education/experience
Real Wage Deficit: Teacher salaries lagged inflation by ~$17,000 over past 20 years

Benefits Package

  • MPSERS Retirement: Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System - hybrid plan (defined-benefit + defined-contribution)
    • Teachers contribute 7% of salary
  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage
  • Paid Leave: Sick days, personal leave, professional development time

Teacher Shortage: Severity & Impact

Key Statistics

  • Vacancies: Almost doubled since pandemic
  • Applications: Declined by 50% compared to pre-pandemic
  • Geographic Disparity: High-poverty districts receive 4x fewer applicants than wealthier districts

State Investments to Address Shortage

Fiscal Year 2024 Funding: $448 Million

(Down from $575 million in FY2023; note: FY2020 and earlier included $0 for teacher shortage)

ProgramAmountDescription
Michigan Educator Fellowships$330M (combined FY23-24)$10,000 college scholarships
MI Future Educator Stipends$100M$9,600 stipends to student teachers
Student Loan Repayment$225M (FY24)Help certified teachers pay down student loans
Talent Together Program$76MTeacher recruitment and retention initiatives
Direct Compensation Increase$63.8M$50 per pupil to directly increase educator compensation

Progress & Positive Signs

Growth in Certified Teachers

  • Early Childhood: +171% from 2017-18 to 2023-24
  • Mathematics: +60%
  • English as Second Language/Bilingual: +53%
  • Science: +31%

Teacher Preparation Enrollment Recovery

After decreasing 59% from 2011-12 to 2016-17, enrollment in Michigan teacher preparation programs rebounded with a 56% increase from 2016-17 to 2021-22.

Resources:

💰 Education Funding & Foundation Allowance

Foundation Allowance System

FY 2024-25 (Current)

  • Foundation Allowance: $9,608 per student (unchanged from FY24)
  • Total Education Budget: $23.4 billion
  • Note: First time in over a decade without direct foundation allowance increase

Alternative Support Mechanism (FY25)

Instead of increasing foundation allowance directly:

  • Retirement System Offset: $589 million to offset districts' payments into Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System
  • Equivalent: Approximately $400 per student
  • Variable Impact: Per-pupil amounts vary considerably across 530+ districts (unlike uniform foundation allowance increase)

FY 2023-24 Foundation Allowance

  • Amount: $9,608 per student
  • Increase: +$458 per student (largest ever per-pupil allocation)
  • Total Budget: $24.3 billion

Special Education Funding

Funding Structure

  • Federal IDEA Funding (FY24): $475 million
  • Primary Source: Intermediate school districts fund services primarily with dedicated local property tax revenues (amounts vary considerably)
  • State Aid: Michigan provides financial aid to low-wealth districts to help equalize tax base

Reform Efforts

MI Blueprint: Proposal to be delivered to Michigan Legislature in October 2025, recommending improved funding model for special education. Lawmakers will review and consider for future legislation.

Resources:

🔀 Schools of Choice Program

Overview

Michigan's Schools of Choice programs, introduced in 1996, provide students with additional enrollment opportunities beyond their resident district. Participation is optional for districts, with details determined at the local level.

Two Main Programs

Section 105: Within Same ISD

Districts can accept students who live in other districts, but within the same intermediate school district (ISD).

  • Geographic Scope: Same ISD boundary
  • District Decision: Participation optional
  • Tuition: No tuition charged
  • Transportation: Not required

Section 105c: Bordering ISDs

Students from another ISD can enroll in a school sharing a border with their district's ISD.

  • Geographic Scope: Adjacent ISDs
  • District Decision: Participation optional
  • Tuition: No tuition charged
  • Transportation: Not required

Key Features

  • Voluntary Participation: Districts not required to participate
  • Local Control: Districts determine:
    • Application and enrollment dates
    • Which buildings, grades, or programs accept enrollment
    • Number of openings available
  • No Tuition: Districts cannot charge tuition for non-resident students under Sections 105 or 105c
  • No Transportation Requirement: Districts not required to provide transportation

Application Process

Families interested in Schools of Choice should:

  1. Contact local school districts or intermediate school district for participation details
  2. Verify application timelines (vary by district)
  3. Understand which buildings, grades, or programs are available
  4. Arrange own transportation

Data: The MI School Data portal tracks Schools of Choice and non-resident enrollments.

Resources:

📚 Additional Michigan Education Resources

Official State Resources

Advocacy Organizations

Related Directories

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Michigan's foundation allowance for FY 2024-25 is $9,608 per student, unchanged from FY 2023-24. This represents the first time in over a decade without a direct foundation allowance increase. However, the FY25 budget included $589 million to offset districts' payments into the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System, equivalent to approximately $400 per student, though this amount varies across Michigan's 530+ districts. The FY 2023-24 foundation allowance of $9,608 represented an increase of $458 per student, the largest ever per-pupil allocation at that time. The total education budget for FY 2024-25 is $23.4 billion.
Public School Academies (PSAs) are Michigan's term for charter schools—public schools operating under a charter contract issued by a public authorizing body, usually a state university. Michigan has 368 charter schools across the state organized into 295 charter school districts, serving approximately 150,000 students, with about half of those in Detroit. Charter schools are tuition-free and must admit all students who apply if space is available, using a lottery system when applications exceed capacity. In April 2024, the State Board of Education approved a resolution calling for greater financial transparency, noting that many Michigan charters are run by private management companies (81% are for-profit) and often aggregate expenditures into a single "purchased services" line item, making spending tracking difficult.
Michigan is a homeschool-friendly state with minimal oversight. Parents are NOT required to inform anyone of their decision to homeschool, though voluntary notification to the local district can avoid confusion. Homeschools must teach reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and grammar for children ages 6-16. There are NO education requirements for homeschooling parents—no teaching certificate, no formal education standards. There are NO required tests for homeschool students and NO specific record-keeping requirements (though recommended). Michigan offers two legal frameworks: homeschooling as a nonpublic school (most common) or homeschooling under Michigan's exemption. Both provide substantial flexibility and minimal state oversight.
Michigan's Schools of Choice program, introduced in 1996, allows students to attend schools outside their resident district through two main provisions: Section 105 allows districts to accept students from other districts within the same intermediate school district (ISD), while Section 105c allows students from an adjacent ISD to enroll in schools near ISD borders. Participation is VOLUNTARY for districts—they are not required to participate and determine their own application timelines, which buildings/grades/programs accept enrollment, and how many openings are available. Districts cannot charge tuition for non-resident students under Sections 105 or 105c and are not required to provide transportation. Families should contact local school districts or intermediate school districts for specific participation details and application timelines, as these vary by district.
Michigan faces a severe teacher shortage with vacancies almost doubling and educator applications declining by 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels. High-poverty districts receive four times fewer applicants than wealthier districts. Contributing factors include starting salaries ranking among the lowest in the nation ($41,645), average salaries below the national average ($64,884 vs. $66,745), a 20.7% wage penalty compared to college graduates with similar education, and teacher salaries lagging inflation by approximately $17,000 over the past 20 years. Michigan invested $448 million in FY2024 to address the shortage (down from $575 million in FY2023), including $330 million for Michigan Educator Fellowships ($10,000 scholarships), $100 million for MI Future Educator Stipends ($9,600 to student teachers), $225 million for student loan repayment for certified teachers, $76 million for the Talent Together program, and $63.8 million ($50 per pupil) for direct compensation increases. Positive signs include teacher preparation program enrollment rebounding 56% from 2016-17 to 2021-22 after a 59% decline, and significant increases in certified teachers for early childhood (+171%), mathematics (+60%), ESL/bilingual (+53%), and science (+31%).
Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is ranked #1 in the United States and provides free, high-quality pre-K for eligible four-year-olds. GSRP is a safe environment where children learn social skills, cooperation, sharing, turn-taking, and friendship while preparing for kindergarten success. Enrollment priority is given to families at or below 400% of the federal poverty limit, approximately $128,000 for a family of four. The program is completely free for eligible families. Michigan also offers Head Start (priority for families at/below federal poverty level or receiving TANF, SSI, SNAP) and Strong Beginnings (state-funded pilot for three-year-olds serving 178 children with $2.2 million funding in 2022-23). Michigan's PreK for All initiative sets a bold goal to deliver access to high-quality pre-K to ALL 4-year-olds in the state, with the PreK for All Roadmap developed with input from families, providers, and partners charting the path forward.
Michigan faces significant challenges on national assessments. On the 2024 NAEP, Michigan ranked 44th nationally in 4th grade reading (down from 43rd in 2022), with only 25% proficient compared to 30% nationally. Fourth grade reading scores declined from 218 before COVID to 209 in 2024, five points below the national average. In 8th grade mathematics, Michigan ranks 31st (down from 26th in 2022), with scores decreasing 10 points from 2019 to 2024. Achievement gaps are particularly severe: Michigan's African-American fourth graders rank LAST in the nation in reading, with only 9% proficient compared to 32% of white students—a 23 percentage point gap. In Detroit Public Schools, just 13% of third graders are proficient in reading compared to 39% statewide, and only 7% of 4th graders are proficient in math compared to 37% statewide and 39% nationally. However, Michigan reached its highest graduation rate in history at 82.8% in 2024 and has raised state test results in 14 of 20 categories (spring 2025), 13 of 20 (spring 2024), and 15 of 20 (spring 2023).
Michigan offers extensive higher education options. Major public research universities include Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing with record enrollment of 52,089 students in Fall 2024 (including 41,415 undergraduates, the largest number to date) and the most diverse student body in MSU history (28.8% students of color); University of Michigan with campuses in Ann Arbor (flagship), Dearborn, and Flint, ranked among top public universities nationally; and Wayne State University in Detroit, an R1 urban research institution. Michigan's FY25 education budget includes tuition-free community college for every high school graduate. The state offers comprehensive Career & Technical Education (CTE) through 27 Perkins regions, 53 Career Education Planning Districts, and numerous area technical centers, with students able to earn industry certifications and college credit through programs delivered at comprehensive high schools, CTE-dedicated high schools, magnet schools, area technical centers, and community colleges.
Michigan's special education funding faces significant challenges. The state covers just 28.6% of special education costs, among the lowest in the country, with the system described as overly complex, underfunded, and inequitable, not keeping up with today's realities. Special education services are funded by intermediate school districts primarily with dedicated local property tax revenues, the amounts of which vary considerably across the state. Michigan provides financial aid to low-wealth districts to help equalize their tax base and augment revenue. Federal IDEA funding provided $475 million in FY2024. The MI Blueprint proposal will be delivered to the Michigan Legislature in October 2025, with lawmakers then reviewing the recommended funding model and considering it for future legislation to improve how the state funds special education. Program Finance provides oversight for state aid and federal funding structures, ensuring that federal grants and state aid reimbursements are effectively administered.
Michigan achieved its highest four-year graduation rate in history at 82.8% in 2024, marking continued improvement from 81.41% (2018-19), 80.64% (2017-18), and 79.79% (2014-15), representing a 1.62 percentage point increase over four years. However, enrollment in traditional public school districts has been declining—Fall 2024 enrollment was 1,204,887 students, down 0.8% (about 10,100 fewer students) from 2023-24. Notable exceptions to the declining trend include Detroit Public Schools Community District with 48,117 students (+536, the biggest jump of any traditional district), and virtual schools (Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan and Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy) which added 1,100 students combined, a 17% increase. Growth areas include Pre-K (53,882 students, up from 48,993), Early Middle College (nearly 15,900 students, up from 14,854), and Advanced Placement (78,275 students, +12.3% over two years). Demographically, white students decreased by 10,600 while Hispanic, Black, and Asian students increased by 6,047 combined.

Last updated on November 24, 2025