Wayland Union Schools

The Wayland Union Schools district in Michigan consists of 7 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools (1 alternative). The district serves a predominantly white student population, with high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Overall, the district is performing at an average level compared to other districts in the state, with some standout schools and areas of concern.

Among the standout schools, Dorr School stands out with the lowest student-teacher ratio and the highest state-wide ranking among the district's elementary schools. Wayland Union Middle School consistently ranks in the top 25% of Michigan middle schools, with strong academic performance. The district's main high school, Wayland High School, has a high four-year graduation rate of 96%, significantly outperforming the district's alternative high school, Career Connections Academy.

However, the district faces challenges, particularly with the alternative high school, Career Connections Academy, which has significantly lower graduation rates, higher dropout rates, and lower academic performance compared to Wayland High School. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is a concern across the district, ranging from 19.3% to 64% at the alternative high school. The district may need to evaluate the effectiveness of the alternative school and explore ways to improve student attendance to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for all students.