For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 8,461 students in Waterford, MI (there are 6 private schools, serving 716 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Waterford, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Waterford, MI are Cooley Elementary School, Schoolcraft Elementary School and Virtual Learning Academy Consortium. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Waterford, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Waterford have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Waterford, MI (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cooley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2000 Highfield Rd
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 673-0300
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 673-0300
Gr: K-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Schoolcraft Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6400 Maceday Dr
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 623-6211
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 623-6211
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Virtual Learning Academy Consortium
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2111 Pontiac Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 209-2037
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 209-2037
Gr: K-12 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #44.
Beaumont Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6532 Elizabeth Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 682-6822
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 682-6822
Gr: PK-5 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #55.
Grayson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3800 W Walton Blvd
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-0200
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-0200
Gr: K-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #66.
Waterford Kettering High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2800 Kettering Dr
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 673-1261
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 673-1261
Gr: 7-12 | 909 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Waterford Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4860 Midland Ave
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-2400
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-2400
Gr: PK-5 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #88.
Pierce Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5145 Hatchery Rd
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-0331
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-0331
Gr: 6-8 | 733 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Haviland Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5305 Cass Elizabeth Rd
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 682-2620
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 682-2620
Gr: PK-5 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5280 Farm Rd
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 674-0805
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 674-0805
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Knudsen Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5449 Crescent Rd
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 682-7300
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 682-7300
Gr: K-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1212.
Mason Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3835 W Walton Blvd
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-2281
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 674-2281
Gr: 6-8 | 731 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1313.
Waterford Mott High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1151 Scott Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 674-4134
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 674-4134
Gr: 9-12 | 963 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1414.
Donelson Hills Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2690 Wewoka Rd
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-9530
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-9530
Gr: K-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1515.
Oakside Prep Academy
Charter School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
355 Summit Dr
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 706-2000
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 706-2000
Gr: K-12 | 1,424 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1616.
Kingsley Montgomery School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4265 Halkirk Dr
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 623-9660
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 623-9660
Gr: PK-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1717.
Momentum Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
60 S Lynn Ave
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-5000
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-5000
Gr: PK-8 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1818.
Waterford Durant High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 N Cass Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 674-6347
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 674-6347
Gr: 9-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
Waterford Lifetracks Program Crary Campus
Special Education School
501 N Cass Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-3242
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-3242
Gr: Inquire with school | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Waterford, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Waterford, MI include Cooley Elementary School, Schoolcraft Elementary School and Virtual Learning Academy Consortium.
How many public schools are located in Waterford?
19 public schools are located in Waterford.
What percentage of students in Waterford go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Waterford are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Waterford?
Waterford public schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Waterford are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Waterford include: Mason Middle School vs. Pierce Middle School, Waterford Mott High School vs. Waterford Kettering High School, Pierce Middle School vs. Mason Middle School
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
