Elk Rapids High School receives high ratings
Kiera Shipman ready for 2nd grade with little sister, Izzy, cheering her on. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography
By Mark McAlpine, Contributing Writer
As their doors open this week for another school year, Elk Rapids High School is glowing with the recent news that US News and World Report has ranked them as the #19 best public high school in the State of Michigan and the #591 best in the United States. The ranking followed an analysis of 26,000 high schools in the country.
According to the US News and World Report, schools were ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and how well schools are preparing their students for the future. Math proficiency at Elk Rapids High School is 48% against a national average of 35%. Reading proficiency is 66% against a national average of 46%. Graduation rate is near 100% with 50% of students participating in advanced placement courses.
Superintendent Bryan McKenna believes that a strong community effort is responsible for the school district’s success. “Elk Rapids Schools’’ recent recognition as the 19th Best High School in the State of Michigan, as recognized by the US News & World Report, is something the entire Elk Rapids Community should be proud of,” McKenna proclaimed. “Although this distinction is awarded to Elk Rapids High School, it is directly related to the success of our entire Elk Rapids Schools organization. This distinction highlights the combined efforts of our PK-12th grade instructional and support staff, our students and the endless support of our parents as well as community members.”
Public School Review, an online database established in 2003 that provides profiles and stats for all public K-12 school across the United States, agrees with the US News and Work ranking with their own 2026 top ten ranking. According to the Public School Review records, Elk Rapids High School ranks in the top 1% in science proficiency, top 5% in reading efficiency, top 20% in math proficiency, and overall testing scores in the top 10%.
As their doors open this week for another school year, Elk Rapids High School is glowing with the recent news that US News and World Report has ranked them as the #19 best public high school in the State of Michigan and the #591 best in the United States. The ranking followed an analysis of 26,000 high schools in the country.
According to the US News and World Report, schools were ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and how well schools are preparing their students for the future. Math proficiency at Elk Rapids High School is 48% against a national average of 35%. Reading proficiency is 66% against a national average of 46%. Graduation rate is near 100% with 50% of students participating in advanced placement courses.
Superintendent Bryan McKenna believes that a strong community effort is responsible for the school district’s success. “Elk Rapids Schools’’ recent recognition as the 19th Best High School in the State of Michigan, as recognized by the US News & World Report, is something the entire Elk Rapids Community should be proud of,” McKenna proclaimed. “Although this distinction is awarded to Elk Rapids High School, it is directly related to the success of our entire Elk Rapids Schools organization. This distinction highlights the combined efforts of our PK-12th grade instructional and support staff, our students and the endless support of our parents as well as community members.”
Public School Review, an online database established in 2003 that provides profiles and stats for all public K-12 school across the United States, agrees with the US News and Work ranking with their own 2026 top ten ranking. According to the Public School Review records, Elk Rapids High School ranks in the top 1% in science proficiency, top 5% in reading efficiency, top 20% in math proficiency, and overall testing scores in the top 10%.
| ern-2026_0903a01.pdf |