Total enrollment
3,598
+53 (+1%) vs SY 2020-21
Alpena County
Michigan · Public K-12
From the largest high school to the smallest elementary school, Alpena County's 10 public schools collectively enroll about 3,598 K-12 students, with Alpena Public Schools the heaviest district by enrollment. By grade band, the county runs 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Alpena County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Alpena County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Michigan | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 38.4% | #20 of 25 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,598 | #53 of 73 | #1,654 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 10 | #56 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.4:1 | #34 of 73 | #2,157 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 61.6% | #12 of 73 | #1,035 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 16.4% | #61 of 73 | #2,292 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Alpena County school rankings
Residents
28,880
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
2 districts
Enrollment
3,598
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$53,950
Below Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
61.6%
Above Michigan avg
Elementary
6
1,609 students
Middle
1
796 students
High
2
1,148 students
Combined / other
1
45 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Alpena Public Schools
3,553 students · 2 districts in Alpena County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Alpena County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
18.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
12.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.2%
civilian labor
Median age
48
18.5% under 18
Test scores in Alpena County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Besser Elementary School· 48.9%
- Wilson Elementary· 39.5%
- Ella M White Elementary· 32.3%
- Thunder Bay Junior High School· 28.9%
- Sanborn Elementary· 27.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpena High School | Alpena | High | 08-12 | 1,091 | · |
| Thunder Bay Junior High School | Alpena | Middle | 06-08 | 796 | · |
| Besser Elementary School | Alpena | Elementary | KG-05 | 470 | · |
| Ella M White Elementary | Alpena | Elementary | KG-05 | 440 | · |
| Wilson Elementary | Herron | Elementary | KG-05 | 220 | · |
| Sanborn Elementary | Ossineke | Elementary | KG-05 | 201 | · |
| Lincoln Elementary | Alpena | Elementary | KG-05 | 146 | · |
| Hinks Elementary | Alpena | Elementary | KG-05 | 132 | · |
| ACES Academy | Alpena | High | 07-12 | 57 | · |
| Pied Piper School | Alpena | Combined | PK-12 | 45 | · |
Cities in Alpena County
About Alpena County
Alpena County is a rural-scale county of about 28,880 residents in Michigan. Its public-school system serves approximately 3,598 students across 10 schools.
Zooming out, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $53,950, about 18% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 13%. That income level is 18% below the Michigan median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Alpena County is built around 6 elementary schools (1,609 students), 1 middle school (796), 2 high schools (1,148), and 1 combined or other schools.
Alpena Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,553 students across Alpena County.
Trend over the past 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Alpena County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2020-21, moving from about 3,545 students to 3,598.
On allk12, the community for Alpena County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data