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Vanguard Charter Academy

Q: Is Vanguard Charter Academy a good school?

Vanguard Charter Academy ranks 181 st of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

181^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 88% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Vanguard Charter Academy is a public charter school in Wyoming, MI, serving 765 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, and it stands out as a top-performing option in an area where many nearby public schools struggle to meet state averages.

For parents, the most striking finding is the sheer size of the academic gap between Vanguard and its closest neighbors. While schools in the Wyoming Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public Schools, and Godwin Heights Public Schools districts rank in the bottom 20-22% of the state, Vanguard sits in the top 12%. This plays out clearly in test scores: in 3rd grade English Language Arts, Vanguard's proficiency rate is 57.8%, compared to 20.7% at Oriole Park Elementary School and 16.7% at West Elementary School. In 4th grade math, Vanguard posts a 69% proficiency rate versus roughly 27% at those same schools. Vanguard's performance is actually more aligned with Marshall Elementary School in the Byron Center Public Schools district, which ranks in the 99th percentile—but Vanguard achieves this while serving a student body where nearly 60% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to just 23% at Marshall.

What makes Vanguard particularly noteworthy is its success with student subgroups. The school ranks in the 95th percentile for both African American students and students from low socio-economic backgrounds, demonstrating that it is effectively closing achievement gaps. The school also excels in science and social studies, with 8th-grade proficiency rates of 53.2% and 71.4%, respectively, well above state averages. One area to watch is a relative dip in 7th-grade performance, where proficiency drops to the low-to-mid 40s in ELA and math, suggesting a possible transition challenge. Finally, Vanguard achieves all of this while spending just $12,247 per student—significantly less than neighboring districts that spend between $15,591 and $21,374 per student with far weaker results. For families in the Wyoming area, Vanguard offers a high-value, high-performance alternative to the local traditional public schools.

765

Students ?

19.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,247

Per pupil spending ?

59%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1620 52nd St SW
Wyoming, MI 49519-9629

(616) 538-3630

District: Vanguard Charter Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.3%

Hispanic:

33.1%

Two or more races:

11.1%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Vanguard Charter Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 77th percentile in 2016 → 88th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (58% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Michigan elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 11 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school58%

District avg58%

Michigan avg40%

Elementary school

181^st of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 12%▲ up 11 pts since 2016

From top 23% (2016) to top 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

98^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 11%▲ up 11 pts since 2016

From top 21% (2016) to top 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

46^th of 625Vanguard Charter Academy among Michigan districts

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
2026	86.2	181 of 1492	87.9%	★★★★☆
2025	89.8	121 of 1488	91.9%	★★★★★
2024	87.4	158 of 1486	89.4%	★★★★☆
2023	86.3	163 of 1470	88.9%	★★★★☆
2022	78.9	232 of 1344	82.7%	★★★★☆
2021	78.7	196 of 1153	83.0%	★★★★☆
2019	81.4	203 of 1408	85.6%	★★★★☆
2018	84.2	194 of 1448	86.6%	★★★★☆
2017	75.3	272 of 1466	81.4%	★★★★☆
2016	73.7	351 of 1548	77.3%	★★★★☆
2015	78.4	300 of 1580	81.0%	★★★★☆
2014	77.8	299 of 1533	80.5%	★★★★☆
2013	79.4	265 of 1563	83.0%	★★★★☆
2012	78.8	286 of 1566	81.7%	★★★★☆
2011	76.7	291 of 1552	81.3%	★★★★☆
2010	79.3	157 of 1552	89.9%	★★★★☆
2009	78.3	256 of 1589	83.9%	★★★★☆
2008	78.0	264 of 1577	83.3%	★★★★☆
2007	79.5	202 of 1565	87.1%	★★★★☆
2006	78.9	198 of 1545	87.2%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	90.4	18 of 388	95.4%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	78.7	29 of 188	84.6%	★★★★☆
2024	82.8	24 of 184	87.0%	★★★★☆
2023	80.3	26 of 180	85.6%	★★★★☆
2019	61.0	38 of 117	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.5	87 of 270	67.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	81.3	192 of 1343	85.7%	★★★★☆
2025	87.6	112 of 1338	91.6%	★★★★★
2024	83.1	166 of 1342	87.6%	★★★★☆
2023	81.8	174 of 1321	86.8%	★★★★☆
2022	73.4	228 of 1106	79.4%	★★★★☆
2021	71.6	189 of 902	79.0%	★★★★☆
2019	73.9	230 of 1171	80.4%	★★★★☆
2018	78.5	267 of 1443	81.5%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	80.2	26 of 225	88.4%	★★★★☆
2025	79.5	25 of 209	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	75.8	33 of 201	83.6%	★★★★☆
2023	71.6	37 of 188	80.3%	★★★★☆
2022	80.2	8 of 86	90.7%	★★★★★
2021	83.5	3 of 30	90.0%	★★★★★
2019	89.0	3 of 86	96.5%	★★★★★
2018	88.2	13 of 222	94.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	90.0	63 of 1352	95.3%	★★★★★
2025	94.6	30 of 1346	97.8%	★★★★★
2024	90.9	49 of 1381	96.5%	★★★★★
2023	92.1	39 of 1350	97.1%	★★★★★
2022	90.1	28 of 1099	97.5%	★★★★★
2021	89.8	25 of 749	96.7%	★★★★★
2019	82.7	89 of 1134	92.2%	★★★★★
2018	89.3	63 of 1397	95.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	85.2	180 of 1372	86.9%	★★★★☆
2025	85.2	164 of 1366	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	85.6	144 of 1347	89.3%	★★★★☆
2023	85.1	143 of 1334	89.3%	★★★★☆
2022	77.4	208 of 1139	81.7%	★★★★☆
2021	74.3	184 of 915	79.9%	★★★★☆
2019	82.7	144 of 1196	88.0%	★★★★☆
2018	84.9	175 of 1446	87.9%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	69.0	26 of 104	75.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	88.4	19 of 403	95.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	90.7	78 of 1199	93.5%	★★★★★
2025	93.9	42 of 1206	96.5%	★★★★★
2024	93.0	46 of 1204	96.2%	★★★★★
2023	91.3	57 of 1198	95.2%	★★★★★
2022	86.9	98 of 1102	91.1%	★★★★★
2021	88.6	62 of 1005	93.8%	★★★★★
2019	87.9	88 of 1128	92.2%	★★★★★
2018	83.9	146 of 1253	88.3%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	86.2	98 of 896	89.1%	★★★★☆
2025	79.3	143 of 890	83.9%	★★★★☆
2024	75.1	173 of 897	80.7%	★★★★☆
2023	80.7	126 of 883	85.7%	★★★★☆
2022	76.5	129 of 776	83.4%	★★★★☆
2021	83.5	79 of 675	88.3%	★★★★☆
2019	74.9	152 of 792	80.8%	★★★★☆
2018	73.5	204 of 838	75.7%	★★★★☆
2017	65.7	222 of 821	73.0%	★★★★☆
2016	73.0	192 of 894	78.5%	★★★★☆
2015	74.5	182 of 919	80.2%	★★★★☆
2014	79.0	149 of 921	83.8%	★★★★☆
2013	80.4	130 of 919	85.9%	★★★★☆
2012	84.2	102 of 900	88.7%	★★★★☆
2011	83.3	64 of 858	92.5%	★★★★★
2010	79.1	131 of 851	84.6%	★★★★☆
2009	73.2	219 of 847	74.1%	★★★★☆
2008	76.2	177 of 839	78.9%	★★★★☆
2007	78.2	151 of 823	81.7%	★★★★☆
2006	80.0	119 of 806	85.2%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	81.7	38 of 337	88.7%	★★★★☆
2025	95.1	14 of 338	95.9%	★★★★★
2023	96.1	6 of 310	98.1%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	78.6	20 of 108	81.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	77.5	126 of 789	84.0%	★★★★☆
2025	61.6	238 of 789	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.2	211 of 771	72.6%	★★★★☆
2023	83.3	89 of 770	88.4%	★★★★☆
2022	75.3	111 of 657	83.1%	★★★★☆
2021	82.5	59 of 521	88.7%	★★★★☆
2019	75.7	123 of 658	81.3%	★★★★☆
2018	65.9	243 of 794	69.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	66.7	63 of 260	75.8%	★★★★☆
2025	64.5	76 of 265	71.3%	★★★★☆
2024	55.2	98 of 257	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.3	87 of 246	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.3	33 of 138	76.1%	★★★★☆
2021	83.7	7 of 69	89.9%	★★★★★
2019	70.4	32 of 137	76.6%	★★★★☆
2018	60.5	88 of 266	66.9%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	94.3	16 of 834	98.1%	★★★★★
2025	86.2	51 of 832	93.9%	★★★★★
2024	81.3	78 of 836	90.7%	★★★★★
2023	84.7	58 of 825	93.0%	★★★★★
2022	77.0	88 of 691	87.3%	★★★★☆
2021	90.4	22 of 523	95.8%	★★★★★
2019	84.0	39 of 672	94.2%	★★★★★
2018	70.0	180 of 815	77.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	89.7	59 of 813	92.7%	★★★★★
2025	87.0	77 of 798	90.4%	★★★★★
2024	80.5	115 of 786	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	68.9	181 of 776	76.7%	★★★★☆
2022	70.0	138 of 658	79.0%	★★★★☆
2021	83.1	64 of 540	88.1%	★★★★☆
2019	74.1	124 of 639	80.6%	★★★★☆
2018	76.2	150 of 797	81.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	91.1	47 of 687	93.2%	★★★★★
2025	89.6	62 of 696	91.1%	★★★★★
2024	86.3	72 of 701	89.7%	★★★★☆
2023	95.0	19 of 688	97.2%	★★★★★
2022	88.9	58 of 638	90.9%	★★★★★
2021	95.2	13 of 577	97.7%	★★★★★
2019	86.3	69 of 624	88.9%	★★★★☆
2018	80.9	96 of 678	85.8%	★★★★☆

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

African American (2026)95th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)95th percentile+7 vs school

Special Education (2018)95th percentile+9 vs school

White (2026)93rd percentile+6 vs school

Hispanic (2026)88th percentile~ school

Male (2026)87th percentile~ school

Female (2026)86th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2026)85th percentile-3 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)75th percentile-13 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile+9 vs school

White (2026)93rd percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)93rd percentile+4 vs school

African American (2026)89th percentile~ school

Female (2026)84th percentile-5 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)81st percentile-8 vs school

Hispanic (2026)76th percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Math61%+25 vs state

English Language Arts57%+17 vs state

Social Studies55%+16 vs state

Science52%+12 vs state

Mathematics49%+16 vs state

1.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, January 24, 2018

If you have an ASD (Autistic) child, do not send them to this school.

Their head of education is this strange lady who holds 7 offices in different districts, and is totally invisible if you try to find her online or on the school website/parent portal.

My Son (5 year old) was kicked out of a school assembly and put in a room, alone with a student teacher. This normally wouldn't have been as much of a concern if it hadn't taken me 6 times of asking to get it out of the administrators during a REED (reevaluation) meeting.

They are impatient and unkind with ASD children, and they are not trained in behavioral approaches. My child sat in the back corner of the class and did not learn a thing in that school.

Parent to parent: you have been warned. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Principal not very effective. Doesn't deal with difficult issues well. Could use a change here. Close Quote

Schools Near Vanguard Charter Academy

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)	PSAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step English Language Arts (2026)					M-Step Math (2026)					M-Step Science (2026)		M-Step Social Studies (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th 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 Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Vanguard Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	1620 52nd St SW	Wyoming	49519	Kent County	Vanguard Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(616) 538-3630	765	39	19.7	59.0%	331 (43.3%)	81 (10.6%)	253 (33.1%)	14 (1.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	85 (11.1%)	86.2	181^st of 1492 public elementary schools	87.9%		89.8	121^st of 1488 public elementary schools	91.9%	60	82.7	49.3	57.8	61.9	61.4	62.5	42.5	59.0	69.0	57.8	70.0	47.5	50.6	53.2	39.8	71.4	$12,247	$775	$11,472
Marshall Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1756 64th St SW	Byron Center	49315	Kent County	Byron Center Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 878-6300	463	24	19.4	23.3%	346 (74.7%)	7 (1.5%)	41 (8.9%)	24 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (9.7%)	98.3	10^th of 1492 public elementary schools	99.3%		98.9	3^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	99.8%	7			79.5	84.9				84.3	79.2								$13,910	$445	$13,465
Oriole Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1420 40th St SW	Wyoming	49509	Kent County	Wyoming Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 530-7558	277	20	13.8	75.8%	96 (34.7%)	38 (13.7%)	109 (39.4%)	7 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	26 (9.4%)	26.2	1069^th of 1492 public elementary schools	28.4%		16.1	1244^th of 1488 public elementary schools	16.4%	175			20.7	37.1				20.7	27.1								$20,527	$474	$20,053
West Kelloggsville School	Public	K-2	4555 Magnolia Ave SW	Grand Rapids	49548	Kent County	Kelloggsville Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 532-1595	253	18	14.1	84.2%	46 (18.2%)	46 (18.2%)	129 (51.0%)	7 (2.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.5%)								(n/a)																	$19,474	$1,379	$18,095
West Elementary School	Public	K-4	1840 38th St SW	Wyoming	49519	Kent County	Wyoming Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 530-7533	468	30	15.6	82.1%	97 (20.7%)	121 (25.9%)	186 (39.7%)	4 (0.9%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (12.2%)	18	1214^th of 1492 public elementary schools	18.6%		17.2	1216^th of 1488 public elementary schools	18.3%	2			16.7	18.4				25.0	28.6								$18,378	$793	$17,584
Gladiola Elementary School	Public	K-4	3500 Gladiola Ave SW	Wyoming	49519	Kent County	Wyoming Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 530-7596	290	21	13.8	84.5%	49 (16.9%)	39 (13.4%)	181 (62.4%)	7 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.8%)	27.8	1041^st of 1492 public elementary schools	30.2%		19.3	1176^th of 1488 public elementary schools	21.0%	135			22.4	34.0				34.7	22.6								$18,850	$1,098	$17,752
Central Kelloggsville Elementary	Public	3-5	4625 Jefferson Ave SE	Grand Rapids	49548	Kent County	Kelloggsville Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 532-1580	494	27	18.1	82.8%	62 (12.6%)	165 (33.4%)	201 (40.7%)	28 (5.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (7.3%)	16	1254^th of 1492 public elementary schools	16.0%		17.2	1219^th of 1488 public elementary schools	18.1%	35			15.7	24.5	19.2			21.6	21.1	9.6			27.2		12.7		$15,591	$1,721	$13,871
Southeast Kelloggsville School	Public	K-2	240 52nd St SE	Grand Rapids	49548	Kent County	Kelloggsville Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 532-1590	287	18	15.7	82.6%	32 (11.1%)	121 (42.2%)	97 (33.8%)	15 (5.2%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (7.0%)								(n/a)																	$16,950	$1,450	$15,500
West Godwin Elementary School	Public	K-3	3546 Clyde Park Ave SW	Wyoming	49509	Kent County	Godwin Heights Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 252-2030	393	27	14.5	91.3%	51 (13.0%)	78 (19.8%)	227 (57.8%)	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (7.9%)								(n/a)																	$21,374	$1,973	$19,401
Townline Elementary	Public	K-5	100 60th St SE	Grand Rapids	49548	Kent County	Kentwood Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 538-4120	320	21	14.9	83.1%	77 (24.1%)	78 (24.4%)	98 (30.6%)	29 (9.1%)	2 (0.6%)	2 (0.6%)	34 (10.6%)	18.6	1202^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	19.4%		30.9	999^th of 1488 public elementary schools	32.9%	203			8.7	28.0	26.9			26.1	28.0	15.4			19.6		11.8		$18,008	$1,814	$16,194

Frequently Asked Questions about Vanguard Charter Academy

What district is Vanguard Charter Academy in?

Vanguard Charter Academy

What is the racial makeup of Vanguard Charter Academy?

Students at Vanguard Charter Academy are 43% White, 33% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 11% African American, 2% Asian.

Is Vanguard Charter Academy a good school?

Vanguard Charter Academy ranks 181^st of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Vanguard Charter Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 765 students attended Vanguard Charter Academy.

Rate Vanguard Charter Academy!

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

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.