Summary:
West Michigan Aviation Academy is a single public charter high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving grades 9 through 12 with about 600 students, and it operates as its own district, West Michigan Aviation Academy.
This school is a standout performer, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 98th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year (20th out of 800 schools). Its graduation rate is an impressive 96%, far above the state average of 84%, and its dropout rate is just 1.3% compared to 7.1% statewide. Academically, students dramatically outpace Michigan averages across every subject. For example, 11th graders score 78.9% proficient in SAT Reading/Writing versus 52.1% statewide, and 55.9% proficient in SAT Math versus 26.5% statewide. Even stronger results appear in younger grades: 10th graders hit 88.6% proficiency in PSAT English Language Arts, while 9th graders reach 87.3%. The school also excels in science (59.9% vs. 35.2% state) and social studies (73% vs. 43.2% state). Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 9.0%, less than a third of the state’s 27.9%, indicating strong student engagement.
One key trend to watch is a notable decline in SAT Math scores, dropping from 70.2% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 55.9% in 2025-2026—a 14.3-point fall—though the school still more than doubles the state average. Conversely, social studies proficiency jumped 13.6 points in the same period. With per-student spending of $11,503 and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, the school achieves top-tier results efficiently. About 19% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, and the school’s aviation-focused STEM mission aligns with its strong math and science outcomes. While year-to-year volatility exists, likely due to its small cohort size, the school’s consistent top-20 rankings over three years confirm its status as one of Michigan’s premier high schools.
Thank you for your feedback!