WAY Watervliet High School

Summary:

WAY Watervliet High School is a small public high school in Watervliet, Michigan, serving around 95 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Watervliet School District, which is ranked 356 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Compared to nearby schools like Watervliet Senior High School, WAY Watervliet High School has significantly lower 4-year graduation rates (30.6% vs. 91.4%), much higher dropout rates (38.7% vs. 4.2%), and alarmingly high chronic absenteeism (88.7% vs. 24.3%). Students at WAY Watervliet also perform poorly on state assessments, with only 17.39% of 11th graders proficient or better in M-Step/Science, compared to 22.9% for the district and 37.5% for the state. Additionally, WAY Watervliet serves a higher percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 72.63% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 61.32% at Watervliet Senior High.

These significant differences in performance suggest that WAY Watervliet High School is struggling to provide a quality education for its students. The school may face challenges in engaging and supporting its students, which could be contributing to the poor academic outcomes. The high percentage of low-income students at the school may also be a contributing factor, and the school may require targeted interventions and additional resources to address the unique needs of its student population and improve overall outcomes.

Detail:

Public 9-12

450 E Saint Joseph St
Watervliet, MI 49098-9300

(269) 463-0897

District: Watervliet School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
635^th of 743 Michigan High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,657

Student/teacher ratio: 52.1

Number of students: 99

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.7%

Hispanic:

13.1%

Two or more races:

13.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 68.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details WAY Watervliet High School ranks worse than 85.5% of high schools in Michigan. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.42. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at WAY Watervliet High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a 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

Compare Details Student population at WAY Watervliet High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (66.7%), Hispanic (13.1%), two or more races (13.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 68.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at WAY Watervliet High School is 52.1. (See more...)

Compare WAY Watervliet High School employs 1.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at WAY Watervliet High School is $10,657.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

WAY Watervliet High School:

SchoolDigger ranks WAY Watervliet High School 635^th of 743 Michigan public high schools. (See WAY Watervliet High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Male students:

Watervliet School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Watervliet School District 356^th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for WAY Watervliet High School

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Rank History for all students at WAY Watervliet High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MI State Percentile
2014	6.18	762^nd	799	4.6%
2016	31.34	556^th	852	34.7%
2017	17.65	601^st	835	28.0%
2018	15.25	644^th	824	21.8%
2019	12.69	575^th	666	13.7%
2024	14.42	635^th	743	14.5%

See the entire list of Michigan High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at WAY Watervliet High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	24.83	508^th	654	22.3%

See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at WAY Watervliet High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	14.25	572^nd	710	19.4%

See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at WAY Watervliet High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	17.01	543^rd	633	14.2%

See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at WAY Watervliet High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	7.55	627^th	708	11.4%

See the entire list of Best Michigan High 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.

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for WAY Watervliet High School

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Year	White	African American	Hispanic	American Indian	Two or More Races	Total
2012	37	3	2	1	1	44
2013	62	1	3	0	1	67
2014	79	2	3	2	2	88
2015	80	4	2	3	1	90
2016	78	1	3	2	3	87
2017	66	1	4	0	4	75
2018	68	1	8	0	1	78
2019	70	1	5	1	5	82
2020	74	1	8	0	6	89
2021	76	2	6	0	7	91
2022	74	4	9	0	6	93
2023	69	5	14	3	4	95
2024	66	4	13	3	13	99

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 WAY Watervliet High School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	44	1.0	44.0	63.6
2013	67	2.0	33.5	58.2
2014	88	6.8	12.9	54.5
2015	90	5.0	18.0	61.1
2016	87	5.0	17.4	55.2
2017	75	3.0	25.0	48
2018	78	2.1	35.9	62.8
2019	82	3.1	25.9	62.2
2020	89	2.5	35.6	50.6
2021	91	2.5	36.4	62.6
2022	93	1.0	93.0	72
2023	95	2.0	47.5	72.6
2024	99	1.9	52.1	68.7

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 WAY Watervliet High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	44	1.0	44.0	63.6
2013	67	2.0	33.5	58.2
2014	88	6.8	12.9	54.5
2015	90	5.0	18.0	61.1
2016	87	5.0	17.4	55.2
2017	75	3.0	25.0	48
2018	78	2.1	35.9	62.8
2019	82	3.1	25.9	62.2
2020	89	2.5	35.6	50.6
2021	91	2.5	36.4	62.6
2022	93	1.0	93.0	72
2023	95	2.0	47.5	72.6
2024	99	1.9	52.1	68.7

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 WAY Watervliet High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$439 (5.5%)	$7,538 (94.5%)	$7,977
2020	$668 (8.6%)	$7,061 (91.4%)	$7,728
2021	$854 (10.7%)	$7,138 (89.3%)	$7,992
2022	$1,451 (17.3%)	$6,927 (82.7%)	$8,378
2023	$1,548 (14.5%)	$9,109 (85.5%)	$10,657

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on WAY Watervliet High School

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.

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
11th Grade Social Studies (WAY Watervliet High School)	21.1	22.2	1.1%
11th Grade Social Studies (Watervliet School District)	54.1	39	15.1%
11th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)	46.6	36.1	10.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	82	95	15.9%
African American	1	5	400%
American Indian	1	3	200%
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	5	14	180%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	70	69	1.4%
Two or More Races	5	4	20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	62.2%	72.6%	10.4%

Schools Near WAY Watervliet High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				PSAT English Language Arts (2024)	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2024)	SAT Mathematics (2024)	M-Step Math (2024)	M-Step Science (2024)		M-Step Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
WAY Watervliet High School	Public	9-12	450 E Saint Joseph St	Watervliet	49098	Berrien County	Watervliet School District	No	No	No	No	(269) 463-0897	99	2	52.1	68.7%	66 (66.7%)	4 (4.0%)	13 (13.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (13.1%)	14.4	635^th of 743 public high schools	14.5%					(n/a)		21.7				17.4	21.7	$10,657	$1,548	$9,109
Watervliet Senior High School	Public	9-12	450 E Saint Joseph St	Watervliet	49098	Berrien County	Watervliet School District	No	No	No	No	(269) 463-0734	376	19	19.6	61.4%	279 (74.2%)	10 (2.7%)	61 (16.2%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.9%)	52.1	327^th of 743 public high schools	56.0%		61.8	242^nd of 735 public high schools	67.1%	85		57.5	24.7			24.7	43.8	$13,951	$1,531	$12,420
Coloma High School	Public	9-12	300 W Saint Joseph St	Coloma	49038	Berrien County	Coloma Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(269) 468-2400	366	20	17.9	57.1%	242 (66.1%)	35 (9.6%)	61 (16.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (7.4%)	33.1	485^th of 743 public high schools	34.7%		21.2	578^th of 735 public high schools	21.4%	93		51.2	15.9			25.6	23.2	$14,937	$1,936	$13,001
Hartford Alternative Education	Public	6-12	115 School St	Hartford	49057	Van Buren County	Hartford Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(269) 621-7143	121	0	98.0	93.4%	70 (57.9%)	6 (5.0%)	38 (31.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.8%)								(n/a)								$6,376	$893	$5,483
Hartford High School	Public	9-12	121 School St	Hartford	49057	Van Buren County	Hartford Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(269) 621-7100	385	23	17.0	80.5%	155 (40.3%)	6 (1.6%)	204 (53.0%)	1 (0.3%)	6 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.4%)	35.8	461^st of 743 public high schools	38.0%		20.4	585^th of 735 public high schools	20.4%	124		39.8	19.3			26.7	35.3	$12,276	$3,795	$8,481
Covert High School	Public	9-12	35323 M 140 Hwy	Covert	49043	Van Buren County	Covert Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(269) 764-3711	116	9	12.6	94.8%	14 (12.1%)	24 (20.7%)	71 (61.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.2%)	13.2	645^th of 743 public high schools	13.2%		36.5	463^rd of 735 public high schools	37.0%	182		27.3				13.6	18.2	$17,616	$5,582	$12,034
Lawrence JrSr High School	Public	7-12	650 W Saint Joseph St	Lawrence	49064	Van Buren County	Lawrence Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(269) 674-8232	190	14	13.5	71.1%	103 (54.2%)	3 (1.6%)	80 (42.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.1%)	30.6	509^th of 743 public high schools	31.5%		13.5	639^th of 735 public high schools	13.1%	130	66.7	52.0		11.5	16.1	16.0	20.0	$15,781	$2,873	$12,908
Van Buren Technical	Public	11-12	250 South St	Lawrence	49064	Van Buren County	Van Buren Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(269) 674-8091	0	34	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Bangor High School	Public	9-12	801 W Arlington St	Bangor	49013	Van Buren County	Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)	No	No	No	No	(269) 427-6844	277	18	15.2	67.5%	125 (45.1%)	17 (6.1%)	119 (43.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.8%)	49.4	342^nd of 743 public high schools	54.0%		56.6	295^th of 735 public high schools	59.9%	47		44.4				33.3	38.9	$18,262	$5,722	$12,539
Benton Harbor High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	870 Colfax Ave	Benton Harbor	49022	Berrien County	Benton Harbor Area Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 605-1200	506	33	15.1	95.3%	6 (1.2%)	479 (94.7%)	10 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.6%)								(n/a)							3.8	$20,136	$12,464	$7,672

Frequently Asked Questions about WAY Watervliet High School

What district is WAY Watervliet High School in?

Watervliet School District

How many students attend WAY Watervliet High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 99 students attended WAY Watervliet High School.

What is the racial makeup of WAY Watervliet High School?

Students at WAY Watervliet High School are 67% White, 13% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% American Indian.

Is WAY Watervliet High School a good school?

WAY Watervliet High School ranks in the bottom 14.5% of Michigan high schools.

Rate WAY Watervliet High School!

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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.