Total enrollment
6,511
+814 (+14%) vs SY 2017-18
Manistee County
Michigan · Public K-12
Manistee County's school count of 14 reflects a public K-12 system serving about 6,511 students inside Michigan, around 26% of the county population. That works out to 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Manistee County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
13
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
66%
was 76%
% Hispanic
9%
was 6%
% Black
16%
was 9%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
14
9 districts
Enrollment
6,511
NCES CCD
Median income
$63,516
Below Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
67.1%
Above Michigan avg
Elementary
5
1,129 students
Middle
1
85 students
High
5
1,023 students
Combined / other
3
4,274 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy
3,934 students · 9 districts in Manistee County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Manistee 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+
24.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.4%
civilian labor
Median age
50
16.6% under 18
Test scores in Manistee County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Onekama Consolidated Schools· 63.6%
- Bear Lake Elementary School· 55.3%
- John F Kennedy Elem School· 39.8%
- Manistee Middle High School· 33.7%
- KND Elementary· 20.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy· 20.1%
- KND Elementary· 20.4%
- Manistee Middle High School· 33.7%
- John F Kennedy Elem School· 39.8%
- Bear Lake Elementary School· 55.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy | Manistee | Combined | PK-12 | 3,934 | · |
| Manistee Middle High School | Manistee | High | 06-12 | 685 | · |
| Onekama Consolidated Schools | Onekama | Combined | KG-12 | 294 | · |
| Thomas Jefferson Elem School | Manistee | Elementary | KG-02 | 292 | · |
| KND Elementary | Brethren | Elementary | KG-06 | 289 | · |
| John F Kennedy Elem School | Manistee | Elementary | 03-05 | 270 | · |
| Bear Lake Elementary School | Bear Lake | Elementary | PK-06 | 147 | · |
| Brethren High School | Brethren | High | 09-12 | 140 | · |
| Bear Lake High School | Bear Lake | High | 07-12 | 133 | · |
| Betsie Valley School | Thompsonville | Elementary | PK-05 | 131 | · |
| Brethren Middle School | Brethren | Middle | 07-08 | 85 | · |
| Casman Alternative Academy | Manistee | High | 07-12 | 65 | · |
| Manistee ISD Center Programs | Manistee | Combined | PK-12 | 46 | · |
| Oaks Correctional Facility | Manistee | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Manistee County
About Manistee County
Across the small Michigan county of Manistee County of about 25,350 residents, the public-school footprint covers 14 schools and about 6,511 students.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $63,516, about 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 8%.
On the school-mix side, Manistee County comprises 5 elementary schools (1,129 students), 1 middle school (85), 5 high schools (1,023), and 3 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Manistee County is Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, which alone enrolls about 3,934 students.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Manistee County has rose 14% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 5,697 students to 6,511. The White share of public-school enrollment contracted from 76% to 66%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Manistee County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Manistee County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data