Planning on moving to the Oakland County region? Want to compare and contrast Oakland County public schools? This is the place to do it. This list gives point-by-point comparisons of some key data for all 27 districts in the county.
Interested in other school options in your area? Explore our roundups of charter schools in Oakland County (which are a different public school option) and Oakland County private schools. We’ve also got a finding-a-new-school checklist that offers some key questions to ask when making this big decision.
Note: Numbers of students are accurate for the 2017-18 school year, the latest available data on the from the online MI School Data portal. Pupil-to-teacher ratios are from the Michigan Department of Education and also accurate for the 2017-18 year. Per-pupil expenditures, also via the MDE, are accurate as of March 2018.
Avondale Schools
- Phone: 248-537-6000
- Number of students: 3,489
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 22:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,289
Diverse student population. From STEM classes to award-winning fine arts and athletic opportunities, students at every grade level can explore, discover and master the curriculum at this Oakland County public schools option.
Berkley Schools
- Phone: 248-837-8000
- Number of students: 4,376
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 18:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,123
Named best community for music ed by National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for six years. High school offers 24 AP classes. Focused on commitment to each learner in the quest to realize his or her full potential.
Birmingham Public Schools
- Phone: 248-203-3000
- Number of students: 8,158
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 18:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $12,044
Consistently ranks among the top schools in the county and state. Rigorous academic choices, myriad enrichment opportunities and language options including Spanish, French, Chinese and Japanese.
Bloomfield Hills Schools
- Phone: 248-341-5400
- Number of students: 5,647
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 19:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $12,124
Personalized instruction supports a meaningful learning process through hands-on and collaborative experiences. Critical thinking and creativity are encouraged in a supportive and caring environment. Largest robotics program in Michigan.
Brandon School District
- Phone: 248-627-1800
- Number of students: 2,479
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,631
All schools equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a 1-to-1 ratio of device to student. Individualized approach in class plus access to 21 AP classes, a STEM academy at the high school and virtual learning.
Clarenceville School District
- Phone: 248-919-0250
- Number of students: 1,765
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 23:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,289
Offers year-round athletics, extracurricular activities, dual enrollment, AP courses, career and technical education programs and early college.
Clarkston Community Schools
- Phone: 248-623-5400
- Number of students: 7,509
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 22:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,631
Limited open enrollment opportunities in Advanced Studies, IB Programme, career tech and Clarkston Science, Math & Technology, 2017-2018 MHSAA football and basketball state champions.
Clawson Public Schools
- Phone: 248-655-4400
- Number of students: 1,643
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 22:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,259
Small class sizes and supportive community with active parent participation. State-of-the art technology with iPads, Chromebrooks and computers in all classrooms. School of choice students accepted in developmental K-10.
Farmington Public Schools
- Phone: 248-489-3349
- Number of students: 9,659
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $10,165
Offers many opportunities to meet the needs and desires of all learners. AdvancED accredited district, robust accredited early childhood program, International Baccalaureate Programme, acclaimed art program, athletics, more.
Ferndale Schools
- Phone: 248-586-8651
- Number of students: 3,003
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,110
Internationally ranked robotics team; state-champ marching band. Over 20 Advanced Placement courses, 17 free varsity sports and a growth curriculum that teaches the whole child every day.
Hazel Park Schools
- Phone: 248-658-5200
- Number of students: 3,523
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,834
A turn-around district. Over 80 percent of grads go on to college/vocational school. Touts after-school activities, free athletics and the Promise Zone, a tuition-free path to an associate degree. Open enrollment for tri-county area.
Holly Area Schools
- Phone: 248-328-3100
- Number of students: 3,332
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 25:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,631
Free preschool for ages 3-4 (determined through application process). Has award-winning math/science and robotics teams. All of these Oakland County public schools are fully accredited. Extensive selection of athletics.
Huron Valley Schools
- Phone: 248-684-8000
- Number of students: 9,162
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,631
Dedicated preschool team, differentiated instruction/talent development in all grades, award-winning arts and athletics, community education. Aims to provide excellence in learning for all students to achieve their best.
Lake Orion Community Schools
- Phone: 248-693-5400
- Number of students: 7,466
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 23:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,212
Michigan Blue Ribbon schools, award-winning early literacy program, M-STEP scores in grades 3-8 top 10 in county, high school pre-engineering, National Honor Roll AP, recognized special education, student mental health initiative.
Novi Community School District
- Phone: 248-449-1200
- Number of students: 6,599
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 19:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,599
Has 24 preschool classes, early childhood special education, five foreign languages, an IB high school diploma program with 29 classes, 60 AP classes, a TV studio, radio station, Wildcat sports options and fine arts.
Oak Park Schools
- Phone: 248-336-7700
- Number of students: 5,160
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 27:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,145
Find robotics competitions, champion athletics, multilingual studies and co-op opportunities. Special facilities include a planetarium, TV studio and computer labs. Before/after-school latchkey. Dual enrollment. Virtual school offerings grades 3-12.
Oxford Community Schools
- Phone: 248-969-5000
- Number of students: 5,337
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 25:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,631
World-class education including IB programming, K-12 virtual education; early college program, pre-K-12 orchestra, world languages, engineering, biomedical sciences and automotive technology. No participation fees for clubs/athletics.
Rochester Community Schools
- Phone: 248-726-3000
- Number of students: 15,361
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,251
Ranks top three in county for math, science, social studies and writing. Graduation rate is 96 percent. Ninety-five percent of students attend post-secondary schools. SAT scores 18 percent higher than national average at this Oakland County public schools option.
Royal Oak Schools
- Phone: 248-435-8400
- Number of students: 5,018
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 23:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,878
All schools are officially Green Schools and AdvancED accredited. Strong academics with AP and IB offerings, award-winning clubs and athletics.
School District of the City of Pontiac
- Phone: 248-451-6800
- Number of students: 4,262
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,631
Its “balanced calendar” spans early August to mid-June. International Technology Academy combines STEM-rich learning with project-based methods. Prides itself on community support from 40-plus partners.
Southfield Public Schools
- Phone: 248-746-8500
- Number of students: 6,228
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $11,091
Thirteen uniquely focused schools, robust college prep curricula and a wide range of exceptional programs to meet your child’s needs. “More choices. More learning.”
South Lyon Community Schools
- Phone: 248-573-8127
- Number of students: 8,346
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 23:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,511
A growing, thriving community opening an eighth elementary school for 2017-18. Offers Kids Club care for K-5 and Little Kids Club for ages 3-4. High school’s robotics team competing at states for the fifth year.
The Lamphere Schools
- Phone: 248-589-1990
- Number of students: 2,566
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 23:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $10,549
Includes four elementary schools, advanced curriculum in middle and high school, early childhood and special education centers, award-winning performing and fine arts programs, teachers and support staff.
Troy School District
- Phone: 248-823-4000
- Number of students: 13,176
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $9,075
All are Michigan Blue Ribbon schools. All schools are Green Schools. NAMM Foundation Best Community for Music Education for more than a decade. Larson Middle School received State School of Character Award from Character.org.
Walled Lake Consolidated School District
- Phone: 248-956-2000
- Number of students: 13,955
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 26:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,435
Lauded music program; Northern High’s marching band appeared in London New Year’s Day Parade in 2018. Western High offers IB. Limited schools of choice.
Waterford School District
- Phone: 248-682-7800
- Number of students: 9,045
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 26:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $7,659
MDE Reward Schools, junior kindergarten, STEM academy, arts, robotics, aquaponics, orchestra, computer coding at all levels. Updated performing arts and pool/fitness centers, science and computer labs and athletic complexes.
West Bloomfield School District
- Phone: 248-865-6420
- Number of students: 5,496
- Pupil-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Per-pupil expenditure: $8,916
Offers STEAM instructional initiatives for grades K-12. Incorporates district-wide instructional technology; 24 AP classes; 31 varsity sports in high school. Oakland Early College provides an integrated dual-enrollment program.
This post is updated annually.
