Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Bay County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 25 public elementary schools serving 8,638 students in Bay County, MI.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Bay County, MI are Pinconning Central Elementary School, Bangor West Central School and Mackensen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bay County, MI public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 44% statewide average). Elementary schools in Bay County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Bay County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinconning Central Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
609 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0502
Gr: PK-6 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Bangor West Central School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3175 Wilder Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-3373
Gr: K-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Mackensen Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5535 Dennis Dr
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-4941
Gr: PK-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Auburn Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 E Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4921
Gr: K-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Western Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
500 W Midland Rd
Auburn, MI 48611
(989) 662-4489
Gr: 6-8 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Kolb Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
305 W Crump St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 893-9518
Gr: PK-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Bangor Lincoln School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2771 N Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7639
Gr: PK-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Cramer Junior High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
313 Pine St
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9740
Gr: 5-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1908 W Youngs Ditch Rd
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 893-1100
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1010.
Verellen Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
612 Borton Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9770
Gr: 2-4 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1111.
Pinconning Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
605 W 5th St
Pinconning, MI 48650
(989) 308-0503
Gr: 6-8 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1212.
Bangor Central School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
208 State Park Dr
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-8891
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Linwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
517 W Center St
Linwood, MI 48634
(989) 697-5711
Gr: PK-6 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1414.
State Street Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1110 State St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-6484
Gr: PK-11 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1515.
Mcalearsawden Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 Midland Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-7702
Gr: PK-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1616.
Christa Mcauliffe Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3281 Kiesel Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 686-7640
Gr: 6-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
301 N Farragut St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 414-8254
Gr: PK-12 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1818.
Llcbay Campus
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1435 W Center Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 846-9510
Gr: PK-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1919.
Handy Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Blend St
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 684-1723
Gr: 6-8 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2020.
Isdlocal Programs
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4228 2 Mile Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 667-3276
Gr: PK-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
North Central Academy Campus
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5055 Corey Rd
Bay City, MI 48708
(231) 584-2080
Gr: K-12 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1821 Mckinley St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 894-2744
Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2323.
Macgregor Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1012 Fremont St
Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 892-1558
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
Detention Center
Special Education School
520 W Hampton Rd
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 667-3209
Gr: 4-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
Wr Bush Elementary School
800 Nebobish Ave
Essexville, MI 48732
(989) 894-9760
Gr: PK-1 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Bay County, MI?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Bay County, MI include Pinconning Central Elementary School, Bangor West Central School and Mackensen Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Bay County?
27 public elementary schools are located in Bay County.
What is the racial composition of students in Bay County?
Bay County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary schools average of 38% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Bay County are often viewed compared to one another?

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