Best Public Schools in Wayland, MI

The city of Wayland, Michigan, is served by the Wayland Union Schools district, which operates six schools—three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools—serving approximately 2,397 students across grades PK-12.

For parents, the standout option is Wayland High School, which has shown dramatic improvement, jumping from the 55th to the 74th percentile in state rankings and earning a 4-star rating. It outperforms state averages in nearly every subject, particularly in 9th-grade ELA (70.6% proficient vs. 60.2% statewide) and 10th-grade math (45.9% vs. 31.5%). Its graduation rate is an impressive 95.5%, and chronic absenteeism is low at 18.6%. At the elementary level, Pine Street Elementary excels in math, with 57.6% of 4th graders proficient compared to 39.4% statewide, though it saw year-over-year declines in most subjects. Wayland Union Middle School performs near or above state averages, with strong 7th-grade ELA results (+8.4 points) but weaker 8th-grade math (-4.8 points). The elementary schools—Bessie B Baker School (PK-1), RJ Steeby School (2-3), and Pine Street (4-5)—use a grade-banded structure that requires three transitions before middle school, which may contribute to higher chronic absenteeism in younger grades (26.2% at Bessie B Baker).

The most concerning school is Career Connections Academy, an alternative high school with only 37 students. It has a 56.2% chronic absenteeism rate, a 16.6% dropout rate, and a 66.6% graduation rate—well below the state average of 84%. Despite a high-need population (54% free/reduced lunch), per-student spending is just $3,890, compared to $20,708 at Wayland High School. District-wide, math is a relative strength, but there is a noticeable "math slide" in 8th grade. Chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with outcomes, suggesting attendance initiatives could be a high-impact focus. Overall, Wayland offers strong traditional schools, especially at the high school level, but families should be aware of the stark contrast with the alternative program.