For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 3,880 students in Clare County, MI (there are , serving 46 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Clare County, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Clare County, MI are Claregladwin Area School, Clare Pioneer High School and Farwell Timberland Alternative High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clare County, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Michigan public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Clare County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Clare County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Claregladwin Area School
Special Education School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4041 E Mannsiding Rd
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3682
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3682
Grades: PK-12
| 43 students
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Clare Pioneer High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
670 Ann Arbor Trl
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3067
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3067
Grades: 9-12
| 32 students
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Farwell Timberland Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2655 W Ludington Dr
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-7219
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-7219
Grades: 8-12
| 52 students
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Harrison Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
420 W Spruce St
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7417
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7417
Grades: 8-11
| 37 students
Rank: #55.
Clare High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
306 Schoolcrest Ave
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-7789
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-7789
Grades: 9-12
| 482 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Clare Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
209 E State St
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-9979
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-9979
Grades: 5-8
| 482 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Farwell High School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
480 E Ohio St
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9913
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9913
Grades: 8-12
| 339 students
Rank: #88.
Farwell Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
268 E Ohio St
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9916
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9916
Grades: PK-3
| 314 students
Rank: #99.
Harrison Community High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
700 S 5th St
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7417
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7417
Grades: 9-12
| 334 students
Rank: #1010.
Clare Primary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 E Wheaton Ave
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3438
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3438
Grades: PK-4
| 579 students
Rank: #1111.
Farwell Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 E Ohio St
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9915
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9915
Grades: 4-7
| 306 students
Rank: #1212.
Harrison Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
710 S 5th St
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7194
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-7194
Grades: 6-8
| 282 students
Rank: #1313.
Robert M Larson Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
455 W Spruce St
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-3259
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-3259
Grades: K-5
| 598 students
Clare County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
P.o. Box 529
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-6051
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-6051
Grades: K-5
| 144 students
4041 East Mannsiding Rd
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3851
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3851
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Community Based Early Childhood (Closed 2012)
Special Education School
4041 East Mannsiding Rd
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-8616
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-8616
Grades: PK
| n/a students
420 W. Spruce Street
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-3259
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-3259
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
399 E Michigan St
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9913
Farwell, MI 48622
(989) 588-9913
Grades: 10-12
| 64 students
201 North 4th St
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-6902
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-6902
Grades: 3-5
| 293 students
John C Magnus Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
3200a S Clare Ave
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3851
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3851
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1006 North Mcewan St
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3067
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3067
Grades: PK
| n/a students
2050 West Cadillac Dr
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3805
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3805
Grades: PK
| n/a students
3200b S Clare Ave
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3851
Clare, MI 48617
(989) 386-3851
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Clare County, MI?
The top ranked public schools in Clare County, MI include Claregladwin Area School, Clare Pioneer High School and Farwell Timberland Alternative High School.
How many public schools are located in Clare County?
13 public schools are located in Clare County.
What percentage of students in Clare County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Clare County are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clare County?
Clare County public schools minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Clare County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Clare County include: Farwell High School vs. Clare High School, Clare Middle School vs. Farwell Middle School, Farwell Middle School vs. Clare Middle School
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.