Brighton, MI Schools: A Parent's Guide for 2026
The short answer: Most of Brighton is served by Brighton Area Schools, which earns an overall A on Niche and ranks #22 among Michigan school districts for 2026. Kids attend one of four K-4 elementary schools, then Maltby Intermediate, Scranton Middle School and Brighton High School. But a "Brighton, MI" mailing address doesn't guarantee Brighton schools. Some homes fall in the Hartland, Pinckney, Howell or South Lyon districts, so check the district for the exact address before you make an offer.
Brighton Area Schools at a glance
Brighton Area Schools serves the City of Brighton and much of the surrounding townships, an area of about 39,000 residents. The path through the district is simple: a K-4 neighborhood elementary, Maltby Intermediate for grades 5 and 6, Scranton Middle School for grades 7 and 8, then Brighton High School.
| School | Grades | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Hawkins Elementary | K-4 | 8900 Lee Rd., Brighton |
| Hilton Road Elementary | K-4 | 9600 Hilton Rd., Brighton |
| Hornung Elementary | K-4 | 4680 Bauer Rd., Brighton |
| Spencer Road Elementary | K-4 | 10639 Spencer Rd., Brighton |
| Maltby Intermediate School | 5-6 | 4740 Bauer Rd., Brighton |
| Scranton Middle School | 7-8 | 8415 Maltby Rd., Brighton |
| Brighton High School | 9-12 | 7878 Brighton Rd., Brighton |
Brighton High School has about 1,900 students and also earns an A on Niche. Elementary attendance areas follow the home's address, so ask which elementary a specific home feeds into. Since every student in the district attends the same intermediate, middle and high school, the elementary is the only school that changes from one Brighton Area Schools neighborhood to the next.
Private and charter schools in Brighton
- St. Patrick Catholic School
- Livingston Christian School
- Holy Spirit Academy
- Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School
- Charyl Stockwell Academy, a tuition-free public charter school
Charter schools have their own enrollment process and often a waitlist, so contact them early if you're relocating.
When a Brighton address isn't in Brighton schools
This is the one that catches the most out-of-state buyers. "Brighton, MI" is a mailing address, and it covers parts of Brighton, Genoa, Green Oak and Hamburg Townships. Depending on the street, a home can be in:
| District | Where it can overlap Brighton addresses | More on the area |
|---|---|---|
| Hartland Consolidated Schools | Northern parts of the Brighton area | Hartland guide |
| Pinckney Community Schools | Southwestern parts, including some lake areas in Hamburg Township | Pinckney guide |
| Howell Public Schools | Western edges toward Howell | Howell guide |
| South Lyon Community Schools | Southeastern parts in Green Oak Township | South Lyon guide |
All of these are well-regarded districts, so ending up in one isn't a problem. It just needs to be a choice you make on purpose, not a surprise after closing. We confirm the district for every home we show.
How Schools of Choice works in Livingston County
- You can apply to a district you don't live in. Under Michigan's Section 105, a district can accept students who live in other districts within the same county education agency, which for Brighton is the Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA). Section 105c extends that to bordering counties, such as Washtenaw and Oakland.
- Each district decides. Districts choose whether to take part, how many seats to open by grade, and when to accept applications, usually in the spring or summer before the school year.
- 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 find out which school district a home is in?
Don't rely on the mailing address or the listing alone. Check the address with the district's boundary lookup or enrollment office, and look at the school district on the property tax record. When you work with us, we confirm the district and the elementary attendance area before you write an offer.
Which Brighton elementary school is best?
All four are part of the same A-rated district and feed into the same intermediate, middle and high school. Families usually decide based on the neighborhood and commute rather than the elementary alone. Niche and the state's MI School Data site are good places to compare test scores and class sizes if you want to dig in.
Can my kids attend Brighton Area Schools if we buy outside the district?
Possibly, through Schools of Choice, if the district opens seats for your child's grade that year. Seats aren't guaranteed, so if Brighton schools are a must, buy inside the district lines.
Are there charter schools near Brighton?
Yes. Charyl Stockwell Academy serves students in Brighton, and Livingston County has a few other public charter schools. They're tuition-free but have their own enrollment process and waitlists.
When should we start looking at schools if we're relocating?
As early as you can. If you want a specific district, narrow your home search to it from the start. If you plan to use Schools of Choice, check application deadlines before you set your move date.
Moving to Brighton with kids? Tell us your must-haves and we'll show you homes inside the district lines you want. Talk to Eric and the Tru Living Group team. Want the bigger picture first? Read our guide to living in Brighton, MI, or compare with Ann Arbor schools.
School information comes from district websites, Niche (2026 rankings) and published enrollment counts, which change every year. Always confirm current details with the district.