News Summary
City High Middle School in Grand Rapids has been ranked as the 48th best high school in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. The school, which serves grades 7 through 12, achieved an impressive overall score of 99.73 out of 100. With a commitment to academic excellence, 99% of students participated in International Baccalaureate coursework, and the school boasts a 100% graduation rate. Additionally, it is recognized as the 3rd best high school in Michigan, showcasing its strong performance and dedication to providing quality education.
Grand Rapids – City High Middle School has secured a prestigious ranking as the 48th best high school in the United States according to the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best High Schools” rankings for the 2025-26 academic year. This evaluation assessed nearly 18,000 public high schools from a total of over 24,000 across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The rankings are determined by several key factors, including proficiency in state assessments, performance of underserved students, availability of college-level curricula, and overall graduation rates. City High Middle School achieved an impressive overall score of 99.73 out of 100, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.
Remarkably, 99% of students at City High participated in International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework and exams, with a commendable 88% passing at least one IB exam. The school also demonstrated excellent college readiness among its 12th graders, with the following percentages of students meeting proficiency standards in key academic areas: 88% in mathematics, 93% in reading, and 83% in science. Additionally, City High Middle School boasts a remarkable 100% graduation rate.
City High Middle School serves grades 7 through 12 and has a student enrollment of 955 students as of the 2024-25 school year, including 573 high school students who were part of the U.S. News rankings. The school features a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, allowing for a more personalized educational experience.
The demographic composition of City High is diverse, with 44% of the student body identified as minority students and 41% categorized as economically disadvantaged. Such statistics underline the school’s commitment to providing inclusive education for all students.
In addition to its national ranking, City High was recognized as the 3rd best high school in Michigan, following Chippewa Valley Schools’ International Academy of Macomb and Oakland Schools’ International Academy. The ranking highlights the school’s consistent performance, having maintained its 3rd position within the state and 44th nationally over the last three academic years (2022-23 and 2023-24).
A total of 12 schools from Kent and Ottawa counties have secured a place in the top 50 list for Michigan, showcasing the region’s high educational standards. Among the other notable West Michigan schools listed in the top 50 rankings are Lowell Senior High School (49th), Saugatuck High School (46th), and Hudsonville High School (41st), reflecting a broad spectrum of excellence within the area.
The top five Michigan high schools in 2025-26 also ranked in the top five in 2024, indicating a trend of sustained academic performance among these institutions. As schools across the state continue to push for excellence in education, City High Middle School’s achievements serve as a benchmark for success in the community.
The Superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools expressed pride in the school’s ranking, noting that this recognition from U.S. News reflects the diligence and dedication of the entire school community and its commitment to academic excellence.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Grand Rapids High School Ranking
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan High School Football Rankings
- Holland Sentinel: Cross Country Rankings
- Petoskey News: Michigan High School Football Polls
- Patch: Best Public High Schools in Michigan
- Google Search: High School Education Ranking
- Wikipedia: High School
- Google Scholar: High School Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Google News: High School Rankings
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
