Summary:
Vanderbilt Charter Academy is a single K-8 charter school in Holland, Michigan, serving 401 students within the Vanderbilt Charter Academy district.
This school stands out for its exceptional English Language Arts (ELA) instruction, especially given that 81% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the most recent school year, 3rd, 5th, and 6th graders outperformed the state average in ELA by double digits, and 8th graders scored remarkably well on the PSAT, with 80% proficient in ELA and 52% in math compared to state averages of 64.8% and 33.2%, respectively. However, performance is uneven across subjects. While early elementary math is strong (3rd grade is 12 points above the state), the school experiences an "upper elementary slump," with 5th and 6th grade math falling slightly below state averages. The most significant weakness is 8th grade social studies, where only 36% of students are proficient versus 50.3% statewide—a 14-point gap. Science in 8th grade also trails the state.
Year-to-year results are volatile, with 7th grade ELA dropping from 78.6% proficiency to 41.0% between school years, suggesting that cohort changes or instructional consistency may be challenges. Chronic absenteeism sits at 28.3%, just above the state average, which is a concern given the high poverty rate. The school maintains a favorable 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio and spends $15,833 per student, indicating solid resources. Its state ranking has slipped from the 71st percentile (4 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 67th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026. For parents, this school offers a clear strength in literacy that is rare for a high-poverty school, but they should be aware of the inconsistent math and social studies outcomes in upper grades. The strong PSAT results suggest students are building critical thinking skills that may not always show up on state tests, making this a school with genuine potential but a need for more consistent subject-area support.
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