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West MI Academy of Environmental Science

Q: Is West MI Academy of Environmental Science a good school?

West MI Academy of Environmental Science ranks 486 th of 1488 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

486^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,488 Michigan Alternative Schools

Better than 67% of Michigan alternative schools

Summary

West MI Academy of Environmental Science is a public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan that serves 669 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school has a focus on environmental science and is considered an alternative school within the state's education system.

West MI Academy performs well above the state average on several standardized tests, particularly in science and social studies. For example, in 2024-2025, 59.4% of 11th graders were proficient or better in M-Step Science compared to the state average of 34.9%. The school also maintains a relatively high 4-year graduation rate, ranging from 81.7% to 85.3% over the past few years, which is higher than the state average. However, the school has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 29.5% to 33.4% in recent years, and dropout rates in the 4.8% to 8.1% range, which are areas of concern.

Compared to nearby alternative schools like Excel Charter Academy, Lincoln School, and Pine Grove Learning Center, West MI Academy generally performs better on test scores and graduation rates, but has similar challenges with chronic absenteeism and dropout rates. As an environmental science-focused school, West MI Academy likely provides unique learning opportunities for students that are not available at the nearby traditional public schools.

666

Students ?

13.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,719

Per pupil spending ?

46.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4463 Leonard St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534-2138

(616) 791-7454

District: West MI Academy of Environmental Science

Racial breakdown:

White:

59.2%

Hispanic:

27.2%

African American:

9.5%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare West MI Academy of Environmental Science to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 99th percentile in 2024 → 91st in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (47% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Above the Michigan median (67th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 99th-percentile peak (2024) to 91st (2025)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Mathematics scores 11 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school47%

District avg47%

Michigan avg40%

Elementary school

486^th of 1,488

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 33%▲ up 8 pts since 2015

From top 41% (2015) to top 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

358^th of 890

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 40%▼ down 6 pts since 2015

From top 35% (2015) to top 40% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

70^th of 739

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 9%▼ down 2 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	65.5	486 of 1488	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.0	715 of 1486	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.8	525 of 1470	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.9	546 of 1344	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.8	546 of 1153	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.3	679 of 1408	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.1	663 of 1448	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	64.2	429 of 1466	70.7%	★★★★☆
2016	68.7	429 of 1548	72.3%	★★★★☆
2015	59.2	640 of 1580	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	70.3	414 of 1533	73.0%	★★★★☆
2013	70.2	435 of 1563	72.2%	★★★★☆
2012	55.4	724 of 1566	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	53.7	927 of 1552	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	56.0	937 of 1552	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	42.2	1191 of 1589	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	34.4	1277 of 1577	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	25.9	1361 of 1565	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	27.2	1338 of 1545	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	58.7	498 of 1338	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.4	700 of 1342	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.4	533 of 1321	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.2	482 of 1106	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.1	446 of 902	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	38.2	737 of 1171	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.6	668 of 1443	53.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	50.0	91 of 209	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.4	76 of 201	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.2	85 of 188	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.0	95 of 222	57.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	55.5	537 of 1346	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.2	695 of 1381	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	66.3	339 of 1350	74.9%	★★★★☆
2022	67.4	270 of 1099	75.4%	★★★★☆
2021	52.3	319 of 749	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.2	416 of 1134	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.0	431 of 1397	69.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	63.1	469 of 1366	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.8	693 of 1347	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.1	508 of 1334	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.3	546 of 1139	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.3	475 of 915	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	50.2	579 of 1196	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.8	646 of 1446	55.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	64.0	68 of 252	73.0%	★★★★☆
2023	33.4	142 of 195	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	65.3	95 of 403	76.4%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	70.6	317 of 1206	73.7%	★★★★☆
2024	44.3	662 of 1204	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	61.7	422 of 1198	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.3	489 of 1102	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.3	478 of 1005	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.5	654 of 1128	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.1	696 of 1253	44.5%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	54.4	358 of 890	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.5	216 of 897	75.9%	★★★★☆
2023	70.0	210 of 883	76.2%	★★★★☆
2022	46.9	380 of 776	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.7	223 of 675	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.4	314 of 792	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.4	372 of 838	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.7	268 of 821	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	66.6	253 of 894	71.7%	★★★★☆
2015	62.0	319 of 919	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	63.8	311 of 921	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	52.4	449 of 919	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	52.1	440 of 900	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	53.3	526 of 858	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2010	60.6	455 of 851	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	40.5	634 of 847	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	28.6	699 of 839	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	15.4	741 of 823	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	22.8	697 of 806	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	45.1	406 of 789	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	57.7	254 of 771	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.8	226 of 770	70.6%	★★★★☆
2022	33.7	442 of 657	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.8	210 of 521	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.6	297 of 658	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	40.8	477 of 794	39.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	55.2	100 of 265	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.9	80 of 257	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.6	55 of 138	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	41.0	156 of 266	41.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	50.0	385 of 832	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.4	165 of 836	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	64.1	209 of 825	74.7%	★★★★☆
2022	64.4	171 of 691	75.3%	★★★★☆
2021	69.0	104 of 523	80.1%	★★★★☆
2019	65.2	172 of 672	74.4%	★★★★☆
2018	52.6	372 of 815	54.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	56.2	299 of 798	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.0	169 of 786	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	67.4	187 of 776	75.9%	★★★★☆
2022	64.6	174 of 658	73.6%	★★★★☆
2021	59.5	171 of 540	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.3	280 of 639	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.9	194 of 797	75.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	47.2	343 of 696	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.0	196 of 701	72.0%	★★★★☆
2023	64.3	198 of 688	71.2%	★★★★☆
2022	42.0	345 of 638	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.6	207 of 577	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.8	267 of 624	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.1	263 of 678	61.2%	★★★☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	85.8	70 of 739	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	98.2	10 of 743	98.7%	★★★★★
2023	81.8	108 of 735	85.3%	★★★★☆
2022	69.6	163 of 531	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	89.6	48 of 561	91.4%	★★★★★
2019	84.5	85 of 666	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	79.0	150 of 824	81.8%	★★★★☆
2017	76.7	154 of 835	81.6%	★★★★☆
2016	65.5	272 of 852	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	89.6	65 of 832	92.2%	★★★★★
2014	57.1	366 of 799	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	83.4	108 of 805	86.6%	★★★★☆
2012	46.0	464 of 773	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	35.8	556 of 784	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	40.1	525 of 765	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	52.0	447 of 754	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	61.4	366 of 750	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	32.9	556 of 767	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	63.2	210 of 629	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	83.9	69 of 611	88.7%	★★★★☆
2022	55.2	196 of 416	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.0	240 of 554	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.8	345 of 710	51.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	88.7	20 of 203	90.1%	★★★★★
2018	65.1	59 of 201	70.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2023	97.5	12 of 614	98.0%	★★★★★
2022	67.1	118 of 369	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	94.1	22 of 755	97.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	95.4	19 of 628	97.0%	★★★★★
2024	95.8	21 of 633	96.7%	★★★★★
2023	77.9	112 of 611	81.7%	★★★★☆
2022	72.5	117 of 440	73.4%	★★★★☆
2019	94.5	23 of 543	95.8%	★★★★★
2018	89.7	56 of 707	92.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	83.9	77 of 639	87.9%	★★★★☆
2024	95.0	28 of 638	95.6%	★★★★★
2023	87.6	60 of 647	90.7%	★★★★★
2022	89.1	56 of 492	88.6%	★★★★☆
2019	69.4	151 of 582	74.1%	★★★★☆
2018	84.1	89 of 708	87.4%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

White (2025)74th percentile+6 vs school

Special Education (2025)73rd percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)66th percentile~ school

Female (2025)63rd percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)60th percentile-7 vs school

Hispanic (2025)56th percentile-11 vs school

Middle school

Male (2025)63rd percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2025)62nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)54th percentile-6 vs school

White (2025)51st percentile-9 vs school

Female (2025)49th percentile-11 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)98th percentile+13 vs school

Male (2025)97th percentile+6 vs school

Hispanic (2025)90th percentile~ school

White (2025)88th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2025)67th percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2024-2025) ?

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing69%+13 vs state

Science58%+20 vs state

Social Studies56%+17 vs state

English Language Arts48%+7 vs state

Math37%~ state avg

Mathematics19%-11 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, June 10, 2022

I love how the administration and teachers care about the kids! They give them an outdoor learning environment and so much hands on learning! They also have been amazing with my sons IEP! So thankful we found this school that is right for our family Close Quote

Schools Near West MI Academy of Environmental Science

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				PSAT English Language Arts (2025)	PSAT Mathematics (2025)	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2025)	SAT Mathematics (2025)	M-Step English Language Arts (2025)					M-Step Math (2025)					M-Step Science (2025)			M-Step Social Studies (2025)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West MI Academy of Environmental Science	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	4463 Leonard St NW	Grand Rapids	49534	Kent County	West MI Academy of Environmental Science	Yes	No	No	Yes	(616) 791-7454	666	51	13.0	46.5%	394 (59.2%)	63 (9.5%)	181 (27.2%)	5 (0.8%)	8 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (2.3%)								(n/a)	50.9	18.9	68.8	37.5	48.8	40.4	67.8	36.5	44.0	55.8	38.3	40.7	21.2	34.0	57.6	58.5	59.4	49.2	60.4	62.5	$12,719	$3,248	$9,471
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	159 College Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49503	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-2405	297	18	16.5	41.8%	193 (65.0%)	42 (14.1%)	41 (13.8%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (6.1%)								(n/a)					36.7	43.2	41.9	33.3		24.5	29.7	20.9			41.9			32.6			$19,022	$5,887	$13,136
Hope Academy of West Michigan	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	240 Brown St SE	Grand Rapids	49507	Kent County	Hope Academy of West Michigan	Yes	No	No	Yes	(616) 301-8458	284	26	10.7	93.3%	1 (0.4%)	41 (14.4%)	240 (84.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)								(n/a)	44.4					22.7	18.2	13.0							13.0			17.4			$13,725	$2,388	$11,338
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1501 Cedar St NE	Grand Rapids	49503	Kent County	Lighthouse Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(616) 304-8537	73	7	10.4	95.9%	17 (23.3%)	41 (56.2%)	10 (13.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (6.8%)								(n/a)																					$10,603	$4,298	$6,305
Shared Time	Public, Alternative	K-12	1331 Franklin St SE	Grand Rapids	49506	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 819-3200	0	6	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Pine Grove Learning Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	2101 52nd St SW	Wyoming	49519	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4900	85	19	4.5	49.4%	36 (42.4%)	17 (20.0%)	21 (24.7%)	3 (3.5%)	2 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (7.1%)								(n/a)
Kent Independent School District (Isd) Deaf and Hard of Hearing	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	4300 Costa Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4990	61	19	3.2	41.0%	29 (47.5%)	4 (6.6%)	22 (36.1%)	2 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (6.6%)								(n/a)
Excel Charter Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	4201 Breton Rd SE	Grand Rapids	49512	Kent County	Excel Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(616) 281-9339	791	42	19.0	62.6%	245 (31.0%)	255 (32.2%)	133 (16.8%)	51 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	107 (13.5%)								(n/a)	72.5	40.0			52.9	53.6	69.0	49.4	53.4	54.8	51.2	46.0	45.8	48.9	62.1	58.8		40.2	71.3		$12,378	$1,373	$11,005
Lincoln School	Public, Alternative	K-12	860 Crahen Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4700	99	27	3.7	57.6%	57 (57.6%)	20 (20.2%)	8 (8.1%)	6 (6.1%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (7.1%)								(n/a)
Lincoln Developmental Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	862 Crahen Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4800	77	15	5.1	37.7%	42 (54.5%)	11 (14.3%)	15 (19.5%)	3 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (7.8%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about West MI Academy of Environmental Science

Is West MI Academy of Environmental Science a good school?

West MI Academy of Environmental Science ranks 486^th of 1488 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is West MI Academy of Environmental Science in?

West MI Academy of Environmental Science

What is the racial makeup of West MI Academy of Environmental Science?

Students at West MI Academy of Environmental Science are 59% White, 27% Hispanic, 9% African American, 2% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

How many students attend West MI Academy of Environmental Science?

In the 2024-25 school year, 666 students attended West MI Academy of Environmental Science.

Rate West MI Academy of Environmental Science!

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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.