Ann Arbor Schools: A Parent's Guide for 2026

By Eric Meldrum, Tru Living Group at Real Broker, LLC · Updated October 2026

How Ann Arbor Public Schools is organized

Most students go from a neighborhood K-5 elementary to a 6-8 middle school to one of the three comprehensive high schools. The district publishes a feeder chart showing which elementary schools send students to which middle school, and a few elementary areas have a choice between two middle schools. The district is also in the middle of a long-term, voter-approved building program, so some schools are being renovated or replaced over the next several years.

Ann Arbor high schools

Ann Arbor middle and K-8 schools

Each middle school has roughly 600 to 750 students. The two K-8 schools take students from across the district by application, so they're worth a look if you want a different model than the neighborhood school.

Private schools in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor has more private school options than most Michigan cities its size. A few that relocating families ask us about:

• Greenhills School: an independent school for grades 6 to 12, adding lower grades.
• Father Gabriel Richard High School: a Catholic high school for grades 9 to 12.
• Emerson School: a nonsectarian K-8 school.
• Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor: a Waldorf school with lower, middle and high school campuses.

Tuition, admissions timelines and financial aid change every year, so check with each school directly.

When an Ann Arbor address isn't in Ann Arbor schools

"Ann Arbor, MI" is a mailing address that reaches well past the city limits into the surrounding townships. Depending on the street, a home with an Ann Arbor address can be in a neighboring district instead:

Many families choose these districts on purpose. Just make sure it's a decision you make before you buy, not something you find out after closing. We confirm the district for every home we show.

How Schools of Choice works in Washtenaw County

• You can apply to a district you don't live in. Under Michigan's Section 105, a district can accept students from other districts in the same county education agency, which here is the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Section 105c extends that to bordering counties such as Livingston.
• Each district decides. Districts choose whether to take part, how many seats to open and when to accept applications.
• Plan on driving. Districts don't have to provide a bus for students who live outside the district.

Questions parents ask us

How do I know which Ann Arbor elementary school a home is zoned for?

Use the district's school locator with the exact address, then check the feeder chart to see the middle and high school that follow. Attendance areas can change, so confirm before you buy. We check this for every home we show.

Which Ann Arbor high school is best?

Look, there isn't one right answer. Huron, Pioneer and Skyline are all large comprehensive high schools with strong academics, and Community High offers a smaller downtown option by lottery. The better question is which one fits your kid and your commute.

Can we get into Ann Arbor Public Schools if we live outside the district?

Sometimes, through Schools of Choice, when the district opens seats. Availability varies by grade and year, so if Ann Arbor schools are a must, buy inside the district lines.

How do the K-8 schools work?

Ann Arbor STEAM and Ann Arbor Open are district schools that enroll by application rather than by neighborhood. Check the district's enrollment calendar for application windows.

When should we start looking at schools if we're relocating?

As early as you can. If you want a specific elementary or high school, narrow your home search to its attendance area from the start, and check application deadlines for any lottery or application-based schools.

School information comes from Ann Arbor Public Schools, Niche and published fall 2024 enrollment counts, which change every year. Always confirm current details with the district.