Best Traverse City Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public preschools serving 4,724 students in Traverse City, MI.
The top-ranked public preschools in Traverse City, MI are Tcaps Montessori School, Courtade Elementary School and Willow Hill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Traverse City, MI public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Michigan public pre school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 40% statewide average). Pre schools in Traverse City have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Michigan public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Michigan public preschool average of 41% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Traverse City, MI (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tcaps Montessori School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4053 Franke Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-6420
Gr: PK-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Courtade Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1111 Rasho Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Willow Hill Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1250 Hill St
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-8540
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
North Ednew Horizons
Special Education School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
933 Rose St
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5685
Gr: PK-12 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Central Grade School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 W Seventh St
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-5910
Gr: PK-7 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Grand Traverse Academy
Charter School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1245 Hammond Rd E
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 932-6008
Gr: PK-12 | 824 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Eastern Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1600 Eastern Ave
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
North Edbridgeway
Special Education School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
301 S Garfield Ave
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-5683
Gr: PK-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #99.
Westwoods Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1500 Fisher Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7900
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Cherry Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1800 3 Mile Rd N
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 933-8940
Gr: PK-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Long Lake Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7600 N Long Lake Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-7800
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1212.
Blair Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1625 Sawyer Rd
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 933-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1313.
Silver Lake Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5858 Culver Rd
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 933-3580
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1414.
Traverse Heights Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
933 Rose St
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 933-3500
Gr: PK-5 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Traverse City, MI?
The top-ranked public preschools in Traverse City, MI include Tcaps Montessori School, Courtade Elementary School and Willow Hill Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Traverse City?
14 public preschools are located in Traverse City.
What is the racial composition of students in Traverse City?
Traverse City public preschools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Michigan public preschools average of 41% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Traverse City are often viewed compared to one another?

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