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Ann Arbor Area High School Guide - Group of diverse teens sitting on steps of. school studying

Ann Arbor High School Guide for 2026-2027

When my daughter was in 8th grade, I realized that I had as many questions about finding a high school as I did for Kindergarten. There are even differences among the 3 Ann Arbor Public Schools comprehensive high schools. Ann Arbor Public Schools enrollment for 2026-2027 High Schools has moved a month earlier than the traditional January-February timeline.

Lotteries, In-District Transfer & School of Choice

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Lotteries are used for Ann Arbor Open (K-8) and Community High School. Both schools are in high demand. In-District Transfer allows district residents to apply to a school other than their home school. School of choice allows non-district residents to attend Ann Arbor Public Schools.

For the 2026-2027 School Year, AAPS has moved the dates for the first window of In District Transfer (Young 5s, and High School) up by a month. I do like the new dates because it will hopefully minimize the impact of weather canceling information sessions.

There are typically several windows for In-District Transfer and School of Choice. At the close of each window, applicants are notified of their assignment. It is always best to apply in the early rounds. I know my daughter’s guidance counselor said that in 2019-2020 Pioneer was the only one of the 3 comprehensive high schools to close to transfers. COVID did change the procedures for IDT and School of Choice, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

AAPS Only accepts applications for IDT & School of Choice in the spring for the following year.

  • In District Transfer Only
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) November 18, 2025-January 6, 2026 – Young Fives Kindergarten, 9th & 10th at Pioneer, Skyline, & Huron, and IB-11th grade at Huron
    • (Anticipated 2026-2027 dates) March 3-31, 2026. (Dates for 2025-2026 school year) February 25-March 31, 2025 – Definitely grades K-8, Likely Y5s & grades 9-11
  • School of Choice Only
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) April 14-May 13 – Last year In-District Transfers were also accepted at this window. No announcement on IDT for this window in 2026-2027
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) June 2-July 1
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) July 23-August 6

Other Public School Districts

Updates below are as of January 8, 2025 for the 25-26 school year.

  • Dexter (Dates for 2025-2026) February 17-28 & July 14-28, 2025 – Young 5-8th grade, high school only for IB program
  • Whitmore Lake – (Dates for 2025-2026) School of choice opened on February 17. Second semester dates should open up (TBD as of 11/9)
  • Saline – (Dates for 2025-2026) April 7-May 6, 2025 .
  • Ypsilanti – (Dates for 2025-2026) February 13-September 30, 2025. October 2, 2025-February 10, 2026
  • Lincoln – (Dates for 2025-2026) School of Choice open April 1, 2025-February 11, 2026
  • Milan – (Dates for 2025-2026) April 1-Oct0ber 1 for first semester.. December 1-January 16 for second semester

Many of the local school districts offer School of Choice. School of Choice allows students living outside the district to enroll.

In District Transfers are only offered at Ann Arbor Public Schools. The other local districts only have a single high school.

High School Information Sessions

Attending an Open House or Information Session is one of the best ways to learn about a high school. Several high schools also offer the opportunity for an 8th grader to shadow a freshman. My friends whose kids have shadowed a student highly recommend it.

Upcoming Sessions:

πŸŽ“ November 11, 2025 5:00pm-8:00pm Pioneer High School Information Session at Pioneer High School
πŸŽ“ December 3, 2025 7:00pm-8:30pm Community High School Information Session at Community High School
πŸŽ“ December 7, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm Community High School Information Session at Community High School
πŸŽ“ December 9, 2025 7:00pm-8:30pm Community High School Information Session at Community High School

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Ann Arbor High School Listings

Did we miss your school or would you like to upgrade to a full listing? Check out more information and submit your listing.


Washtenaw Technical Middle College

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Central Academy

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Ann Arbor Public Schools

Locations

Get more information on Ann Arbor Public Schools

  • School Type: Public School District
  • School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs: International Baccalaureate, Virtual


Rudolph Steiner School of Ann Arbor

Locations

No locations listed

Get more information on Rudolph Steiner School of Ann Arbor

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Whitmore Lake Public Schools

  • School Type: Public School District
  • School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs: Montessori


Washtenaw International High School (WIHI) & Middle Academy (WIMA)

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs: International Baccalaureate


WSC Academy

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Greenhills School

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Father Gabriel Richard Catholic High School

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs: Religious


Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education

Locations

No locations listed

Get more information on Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Michigan Islamic Academy

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs: Religious


Clonlara School

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Global Tech Academy

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Washtenaw Christian Academy

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs: Homeschool Partnership, Religious


Early College Alliance at EMU

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor

  • School Type: Private School
  • School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:


Arbor Preparatory High School

  • School Type: Public Charter School
  • School Levels: High School (9-12)
  • Special Programs:

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Ann Arbor K-12 Guide

Where you looking for an elementary or middle school? Check out our K-12 Guide.

Ann Arbor K-12 School Guide for 2026-2027

Whether you have a child starting Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, are new to the area or just looking for a change, our 2025-2026 Ann Arbor K-12 School Guide will help you find the right fit. Thank you to the Schools who purchased upgraded listings. Elementary School Information Sessions Attending an Open House is one of […]

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