Total enrollment
1,896
+35 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Arenac County
Michigan · Public K-12
Arenac County's public-school footprint spans 6 K-12 schools with combined enrollment of about 1,896, the largest district being Standish-Sterling Community Schools. By level, that breaks down as 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Arenac County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Arenac County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Michigan | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 48.4% | #6 of 25 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,896 | #65 of 73 | #2,264 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #68 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 18.8:1 | #72 of 73 | #2,515 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 57.3% | #22 of 73 | #1,227 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 13.7% | #69 of 73 | #2,397 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.
Residents
15,077
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
1,896
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$58,811
Below Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
57.3%
Above Michigan avg
Elementary
3
989 students
Middle
1
104 students
High
2
803 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Standish-Sterling Community Schools
1,482 students · 2 districts in Arenac County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Arenac 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+
16.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.0%
civilian labor
Median age
50
18.5% under 18
Test scores in Arenac County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StandishSterling Central JrSr High School | Standish | High | 07-12 | 660 | · |
| StandishSterling Central Elementary School | Standish | Elementary | PK-06 | 654 | · |
| Sterling Elementary School | Sterling | Elementary | PK-05 | 168 | · |
| Au GresSims Elementary School | Au Gres | Elementary | PK-05 | 167 | · |
| Au GresSims High School | Au Gres | High | 09-12 | 143 | · |
| Au GresSims Middle School | Au Gres | Middle | 06-08 | 104 | · |
Cities in Arenac County
About Arenac County
In Michigan, Arenac County is a small county of about 15,077 residents. 6 public schools across the county teaches about 1,896 students between them.
Zooming out, census numbers show the median household earns about $58,811 a year, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 8%. That income level is 11% below the Michigan median.
On the school-mix side, Arenac County covers 3 elementary schools (989 students), 1 middle school (104), and 2 high schools (803).
Standish-Sterling Community Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,482 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,896 students, remained close to its prior level from the 1,861 reported in SY 2020-21.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Arenac County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data