Walker Charter Academy

Summary:

Walker Charter Academy is a public charter elementary and middle school in Grand Rapids, Michigan that serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is part of the Grand Rapids Public Schools district, which is ranked 57th out of 610 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Walker Charter Academy consistently outperforms the state average on standardized tests, with 72.6% of 7th-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts compared to the state average of 37.9%, and 67.1% of 3rd-grade students proficient or better in math compared to the state average of 43.4%. The school also performs exceptionally well for certain student subgroups, ranking 2nd out of 348 Michigan elementary schools for its African American students and 108th out of 1,204 schools for its white students. However, the school has seen a gradual decrease in racial diversity, with the percentage of white students increasing from 63.14% in 2020-2021 to 55.01% in 2022-2023.

While Walker Charter Academy has seen an increase in chronic absenteeism, reaching 21.3% in 2022-2023, it still performs better than nearby Stocking Elementary (37.5% chronic absenteeism) and Shawmut Hills School (42.5% chronic absenteeism). Additionally, Walker Charter Academy spends more per student ($11,637 in 2022-2023) compared to Stocking Elementary ($17,605) and Shawmut Hills School ($17,605), which may contribute to its stronger academic performance.


Detail:

Public, Charter K-8

 1801 3 Mile Rd NW
       Grand Rapids, MI  49544-1445


(616) 785-2700

District: Walker Charter Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
277th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,637 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  18.1 Help
Number of students:  698

Racial breakdown:

White:
55.0%
Hispanic:
20.6%
African American:
9.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  53.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Walker Charter Academy ranks better than 81.4% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 78.42. (See more...)
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Compare Details Walker Charter Academy ranks better than 89% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.56. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (55%), Hispanic (20.6%), African American (9.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 53.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Walker Charter Academy is 18.1. (See more...)
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Compare Walker Charter Academy employs 38.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Walker Charter Academy is $11,637.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Walker Charter Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Walker Charter Academy 277th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Walker Charter Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Walker Charter Academy 99th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Walker Charter Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Walker Charter Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Walker Charter Academy 57th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Walker Charter Academy?

Rank History for Walker Charter Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 74.77 296th 1545 80.8%
2007 78.50 226th 1565 85.6%
2008 81.80 147th 1577 90.7%
2009 77.40 286th 1589 82.0%
2010 69.22 549th 1552 64.6%
2011 71.91 438th 1552 71.8%
2012 71.14 420th 1566 73.2%
2013 75.71 330th 1563 78.9%
2014 77.18 309th 1533 79.8%
2015 83.95 190th 1580 88.0%
2016 81.39 229th 1548 85.2%
2017 77.68 253rd 1466 82.7%
2018 83.59 205th 1448 85.8%
2019 81.43 202nd 1408 85.7%
2021 80.74 173rd 1153 85.0%
2022 82.98 184th 1344 86.3%
2023 83.46 205th 1470 86.1%
2024 78.42 277th 1486 81.4%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.29 77th 270 71.5%
2023 58.54 65th 180 63.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.98 8th 403 98.0%
2024 65.12 63rd 225 72.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.99 200th 1397 85.7%
2019 75.67 162nd 1134 85.7%
2021 80.04 73rd 749 90.3%
2022 78.69 125th 1099 88.6%
2023 82.51 132nd 1350 90.2%
2024 72.40 272nd 1381 80.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.46 316th 1443 78.1%
2019 75.65 214th 1171 81.7%
2021 73.15 171st 902 81.0%
2022 75.51 207th 1106 81.3%
2023 71.43 289th 1321 78.1%
2024 69.14 328th 1342 75.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.23 152nd 1446 89.5%
2019 80.30 175th 1196 85.4%
2021 77.97 142nd 915 84.5%
2022 84.44 130th 1139 88.6%
2023 86.99 115th 1334 91.4%
2024 76.41 257th 1347 80.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 99.39 2nd 348 99.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.17 53rd 222 76.1%
2023 61.83 59th 188 68.6%
2024 46.42 84th 201 58.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.18 120th 1253 90.4%
2019 89.11 75th 1128 93.4%
2021 82.86 120th 1005 88.1%
2022 88.91 77th 1102 93.0%
2023 90.03 72nd 1198 94.0%
2024 87.02 108th 1204 91.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Walker Charter Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 71.59 236th 806 70.7%
2007 75.00 194th 823 76.4%
2008 82.24 92nd 839 89.0%
2009 86.62 40th 847 95.3%
2010 79.44 125th 851 85.3%
2011 80.57 106th 858 87.6%
2012 74.05 198th 900 78.0%
2013 68.41 244th 919 73.4%
2014 76.31 170th 921 81.5%
2015 89.72 61st 919 93.4%
2016 77.01 159th 894 82.2%
2017 81.91 109th 821 86.7%
2018 85.48 103rd 838 87.7%
2019 85.23 90th 792 88.6%
2021 89.25 51st 675 92.4%
2022 84.22 87th 776 88.8%
2023 91.97 57th 883 93.5%
2024 84.56 99th 897 89.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.53 117th 815 85.6%
2019 66.68 155th 672 76.9%
2021 81.14 43rd 523 91.8%
2022 83.76 57th 691 91.8%
2023 92.68 21st 825 97.5%
2024 77.57 96th 836 88.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.66 134th 794 83.1%
2019 74.99 131st 658 80.1%
2021 78.64 72nd 521 86.2%
2022 76.18 104th 657 84.2%
2023 83.26 90th 770 88.3%
2024 81.24 92nd 771 88.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.06 83rd 797 89.6%
2019 84.08 81st 639 87.3%
2021 92.29 33rd 540 93.9%
2022 85.69 73rd 658 88.9%
2023 94.37 31st 776 96.0%
2024 80.83 111th 786 85.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.49 145th 266 45.5%
2023 69.72 59th 246 76.0%
2024 43.93 141st 257 45.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Walker Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.55 70th 678 89.7%
2019 91.79 40th 624 93.6%
2021 93.10 30th 577 94.8%
2022 92.85 30th 638 95.3%
2023 96.85 9th 688 98.7%
2024 94.35 24th 701 96.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Walker Charter Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Open Quote this school has very bad principals. they like to pick on certain kids just because of there skin. I had two kids go there and the older one left the school just because they tried keeping his phone over the summer and they also tried cutting his hair at school. They never gave me a refund after my kid got sick before going to the movies. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Walker Charter Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 175 6 0 6 1 n/a n/a 0 188
1999 342 10 5 8 1 n/a n/a 0 366
2000 460 18 5 10 2 n/a n/a 0 495
2001 543 19 4 18 2 n/a n/a 0 586
2002 566 19 6 25 0 n/a n/a 0 616
2003 566 19 6 25 0 n/a n/a 0 616
2004 565 22 12 27 1 n/a n/a 0 627
2005 526 22 8 35 1 n/a n/a 26 618
2006 572 33 11 43 3 n/a n/a 0 662
2007 553 31 15 51 4 n/a n/a 0 654
2008 581 30 16 51 5 n/a n/a 0 683
2009 588 32 16 43 5 n/a n/a 0 684
2010 603 38 14 33 4 n/a n/a 0 692
2011 599 30 10 38 5 0 22 0 704
2012 589 36 9 57 4 0 20 0 715
2013 606 28 17 71 3 0 18 0 743
2014 599 25 18 93 1 0 21 0 757
2015 588 31 16 92 0 0 33 0 760
2016 582 35 18 99 1 0 33 0 768
2017 518 44 22 102 1 0 32 0 719
2018 531 38 21 123 0 0 31 0 744
2019 510 33 29 126 0 0 41 0 739
2020 490 32 30 147 0 0 48 0 747
2021 459 40 39 136 0 0 53 0 727
2022 429 46 36 140 0 0 60 0 711
2023 384 64 41 144 1 0 64 0 698

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Walker Charter Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 188 10.0 18.8 5.3
1999 366 19.0 19.3 3.3
2000 495 25.8 19.2 6.7
2001 586 31.0 18.9 9.9
2002 616 n/a n/a 14.9
2003 616 n/a n/a 14.9
2004 627 34.1 18.4 19
2005 618 33.5 18.4 18.2
2006 662 29.6 22.4 26
2007 654 34.7 18.8 27.1
2008 683 35.3 19.3 29.3
2009 684 34.6 19.8 31.1
2010 692 31.5 21.9 37
2011 704 35.9 19.5 37.8
2012 715 34.8 20.4 38.2
2013 743 36.8 20.1 39.6
2014 757 35.9 21.0 36.1
2015 760 36.0 21.1 37.5
2016 768 36.0 21.3 41.1
2017 719 35.5 20.2 38.1
2018 744 35.5 20.9 42.2
2019 739 37.6 19.6 45.2
2020 747 37.2 20.0 45.2
2021 727 38.2 19.0 47.5
2022 711 39.2 18.1 48.1
2023 698 38.3 18.1 53.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Walker Charter Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 188 10.0 18.8 5.3
1999 366 19.0 19.3 3.3
2000 495 25.8 19.2 6.7
2001 586 31.0 18.9 9.9
2002 616 n/a n/a 14.9
2003 616 n/a n/a 14.9
2004 627 34.1 18.4 19
2005 618 33.5 18.4 18.2
2006 662 29.6 22.4 26
2007 654 34.7 18.8 27.1
2008 683 35.3 19.3 29.3
2009 684 34.6 19.8 31.1
2010 692 31.5 21.9 37
2011 704 35.9 19.5 37.8
2012 715 34.8 20.4 38.2
2013 743 36.8 20.1 39.6
2014 757 35.9 21.0 36.1
2015 760 36.0 21.1 37.5
2016 768 36.0 21.3 41.1
2017 719 35.5 20.2 38.1
2018 744 35.5 20.9 42.2
2019 739 37.6 19.6 45.2
2020 747 37.2 20.0 45.2
2021 727 38.2 19.0 47.5
2022 711 39.2 18.1 48.1
2023 698 38.3 18.1 53.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Walker Charter Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $566 (6.1%) $8,733 (93.9%) $9,299
2020 $554 (6.0%) $8,632 (94.0%) $9,187
2021 $1,445 (13.2%) $9,518 (86.8%) $10,964
2022 $1,584 (14.0%) $9,743 (86.0%) $11,327
2023 $1,198 (10.3%) $10,440 (89.7%) $11,637

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Walker Charter Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 202nd of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 205th of 1470 Elementary schools
 0.4%
Ranks 90th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 57th of 883 Middle schools
 4.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)63.646.1
 17.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)63.646.1
 17.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)57.153.9
 3.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)57.153.9
 3.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)61.353.3
 8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)61.353.3
 8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)6054.1
 5.9%
   4th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)6054.1
 5.9%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)63.966.2
 2.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)63.966.2
 2.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)66.754.5
 12.2%
   5th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)66.754.5
 12.2%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Walker Charter Academy)58.351.9
 6.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Walker Charter Academy)58.351.9
 6.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)42.966.2
 23.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)42.966.2
 23.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)56.458.9
 2.5%
   6th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)56.458.9
 2.5%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)7755.9
 21.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)7755.9
 21.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)74.745.6
 29.1%
   7th Grade Math (Walker Charter Academy)74.745.6
 29.1%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Walker Charter Academy)42.755.4
 12.7%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Walker Charter Academy)42.755.4
 12.7%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)75.676.1
 0.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Walker Charter Academy)75.676.1
 0.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Walker Charter Academy)6161.2
 0.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Walker Charter Academy)6161.2
 0.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students739698
 5.5%
African American3364
 93.9%
American Indian01
Asian2941
 41.4%
Hispanic126144
 14.3%
Pacific Islander00
White510384
 24.7%
Two or More Races4164
 56.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients45.2%53.2%
 8%


Schools Near Walker Charter Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Walker Charter Academy

Students at Walker Charter Academy are 55% White, 21% Hispanic, 9% African American, 9% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 698 students attended Walker Charter Academy.

Walker Charter Academy ranks 277th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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