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Walker Charter Academy

Q: Is Walker Charter Academy a good school?

Walker Charter Academy ranks 264 th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

264^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 82% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Walker Charter Academy is a public charter school in Grand Rapids, MI, serving 711 students in grades K-8, and it stands out as a high-performing option in an area with widely varying school quality.

Walker Charter Academy's most defining feature is its consistent academic excellence. In the most recent school year, the school outperformed the state average in every single subject and grade level tested. For example, 5th-grade social studies proficiency was 57.1%, more than double the state average of 27.5%, and 8th-grade PSAT scores show 73% of students meeting the ELA benchmark versus 64.8% statewide. This success is especially notable given that over half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch. The school has earned a 4-star rating and ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide, a position it has held steadily for a decade. When compared to nearby schools, the differences are stark. In Grand Rapids Public Schools, Shawmut Hills School and Harrison Park Academy post proficiency rates in the single digits and low teens, while Walker Charter Academy's rates are often 40-50 percentage points higher. Even the strongest nearby competitors, like North Park Montessori Academy and Zinser Elementary School, are outpaced in most subjects.

Walker Charter Academy also demonstrates remarkable efficiency, spending $12,313 per student—significantly less than nearby schools like CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary ($15,403) or Palmer School—while delivering superior results. The school has earned a top-2 statewide ranking for its performance with African American students and ranks in the 87th percentile for effectiveness with low-income students, making it a model for equitable achievement. One area for improvement is chronic absenteeism at 22.6%, which, while better than the state average of 27.9%, is higher than some more affluent peers like Zinser (10.4%). For parents seeking a school that delivers strong academics regardless of a student's background, Walker Charter Academy is a compelling choice.

711

Students ?

19.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,313

Per pupil spending ?

53.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

1801 3 Mile Rd NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1445

(616) 785-2700

District: Walker Charter Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.4%

Hispanic:

23.8%

Two or more races:

12.4%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Walker Charter Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 85th percentile in 2016 → 82nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (54% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 18% of Michigan elementary schools

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school54%

District avg54%

Michigan avg40%

Elementary school

264^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 18%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

148^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 17%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

71^st of 625Walker 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	79.9	264 of 1492	82.3%	★★★★☆
2025	72.8	374 of 1488	74.9%	★★★★☆
2024	78.4	277 of 1486	81.4%	★★★★☆
2023	83.5	205 of 1470	86.1%	★★★★☆
2022	83.0	184 of 1344	86.3%	★★★★☆
2021	80.7	173 of 1153	85.0%	★★★★☆
2019	81.4	202 of 1408	85.7%	★★★★☆
2018	83.6	205 of 1448	85.8%	★★★★☆
2017	77.7	253 of 1466	82.7%	★★★★☆
2016	81.4	229 of 1548	85.2%	★★★★☆
2015	83.9	190 of 1580	88.0%	★★★★☆
2014	77.2	309 of 1533	79.8%	★★★★☆
2013	75.7	330 of 1563	78.9%	★★★★☆
2012	71.1	420 of 1566	73.2%	★★★★☆
2011	71.9	438 of 1552	71.8%	★★★★☆
2010	69.2	549 of 1552	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2009	77.4	286 of 1589	82.0%	★★★★☆
2008	81.8	147 of 1577	90.7%	★★★★★
2007	78.5	226 of 1565	85.6%	★★★★☆
2006	74.8	296 of 1545	80.8%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	99.4	2 of 348	99.4%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2023	58.5	65 of 180	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.3	77 of 270	71.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	82.7	179 of 1343	86.7%	★★★★☆
2025	67.3	373 of 1338	72.1%	★★★★☆
2024	69.1	328 of 1342	75.6%	★★★★☆
2023	71.4	289 of 1321	78.1%	★★★★☆
2022	75.5	207 of 1106	81.3%	★★★★☆
2021	73.1	171 of 902	81.0%	★★★★☆
2019	75.7	214 of 1171	81.7%	★★★★☆
2018	75.5	316 of 1443	78.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	61.0	67 of 225	70.2%	★★★★☆
2025	44.9	105 of 209	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.4	84 of 201	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.8	59 of 188	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.2	53 of 222	76.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	79.1	176 of 1352	87.0%	★★★★☆
2025	75.6	228 of 1346	83.1%	★★★★☆
2024	72.4	272 of 1381	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	82.5	132 of 1350	90.2%	★★★★★
2022	78.7	125 of 1099	88.6%	★★★★☆
2021	80.0	73 of 749	90.3%	★★★★★
2019	75.7	162 of 1134	85.7%	★★★★☆
2018	78.0	200 of 1397	85.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	69.5	372 of 1372	72.9%	★★★★☆
2025	70.2	365 of 1366	73.3%	★★★★☆
2024	76.4	257 of 1347	80.9%	★★★★☆
2023	87.0	115 of 1334	91.4%	★★★★★
2022	84.4	130 of 1139	88.6%	★★★★☆
2021	78.0	142 of 915	84.5%	★★★★☆
2019	80.3	175 of 1196	85.4%	★★★★☆
2018	86.2	152 of 1446	89.5%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	65.1	63 of 225	72.0%	★★★★☆
2018	95.0	8 of 403	98.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	81.6	203 of 1199	83.1%	★★★★☆
2025	82.9	175 of 1206	85.5%	★★★★☆
2024	87.0	108 of 1204	91.0%	★★★★★
2023	90.0	72 of 1198	94.0%	★★★★★
2022	88.9	77 of 1102	93.0%	★★★★★
2021	82.9	120 of 1005	88.1%	★★★★☆
2019	89.1	75 of 1128	93.4%	★★★★★
2018	86.2	120 of 1253	90.4%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	78.7	148 of 896	83.5%	★★★★☆
2025	88.9	81 of 890	90.9%	★★★★★
2024	84.6	99 of 897	89.0%	★★★★☆
2023	92.0	57 of 883	93.5%	★★★★★
2022	84.2	87 of 776	88.8%	★★★★☆
2021	89.3	51 of 675	92.4%	★★★★★
2019	85.2	90 of 792	88.6%	★★★★☆
2018	85.5	103 of 838	87.7%	★★★★☆
2017	81.9	109 of 821	86.7%	★★★★☆
2016	77.0	159 of 894	82.2%	★★★★☆
2015	89.7	61 of 919	93.4%	★★★★★
2014	76.3	170 of 921	81.5%	★★★★☆
2013	68.4	244 of 919	73.4%	★★★★☆
2012	74.0	198 of 900	78.0%	★★★★☆
2011	80.6	106 of 858	87.6%	★★★★☆
2010	79.4	125 of 851	85.3%	★★★★☆
2009	86.6	40 of 847	95.3%	★★★★★
2008	82.2	92 of 839	89.0%	★★★★☆
2007	75.0	194 of 823	76.4%	★★★★☆
2006	71.6	236 of 806	70.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	82.3	101 of 789	87.2%	★★★★☆
2025	88.2	68 of 789	91.4%	★★★★★
2024	81.2	92 of 771	88.1%	★★★★☆
2023	83.3	90 of 770	88.3%	★★★★☆
2022	76.2	104 of 657	84.2%	★★★★☆
2021	78.6	72 of 521	86.2%	★★★★☆
2019	75.0	131 of 658	80.1%	★★★★☆
2018	79.7	134 of 794	83.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	51.3	122 of 260	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.2	60 of 265	77.4%	★★★★☆
2024	43.9	141 of 257	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	69.7	59 of 246	76.0%	★★★★☆
2018	43.5	145 of 266	45.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	85.6	56 of 834	93.3%	★★★★★
2025	90.5	37 of 832	95.6%	★★★★★
2024	77.6	96 of 836	88.5%	★★★★☆
2023	92.7	21 of 825	97.5%	★★★★★
2022	83.8	57 of 691	91.8%	★★★★★
2021	81.1	43 of 523	91.8%	★★★★★
2019	66.7	155 of 672	76.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.5	117 of 815	85.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	69.3	195 of 813	76.0%	★★★★☆
2025	82.7	103 of 798	87.1%	★★★★☆
2024	80.8	111 of 786	85.9%	★★★★☆
2023	94.4	31 of 776	96.0%	★★★★★
2022	85.7	73 of 658	88.9%	★★★★☆
2021	92.3	33 of 540	93.9%	★★★★★
2019	84.1	81 of 639	87.3%	★★★★☆
2018	86.1	83 of 797	89.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	90.4	50 of 687	92.7%	★★★★★
2025	91.6	44 of 696	93.7%	★★★★★
2024	94.3	24 of 701	96.6%	★★★★★
2023	96.8	9 of 688	98.7%	★★★★★
2022	92.8	30 of 638	95.3%	★★★★★
2021	93.1	30 of 577	94.8%	★★★★★
2019	91.8	40 of 624	93.6%	★★★★★
2018	85.6	70 of 678	89.7%	★★★★☆

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 (2024)99th percentile+18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)87th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2026)87th percentile+4 vs school

White (2026)83rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)73rd percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2024)72nd percentile-9 vs school

Hispanic (2026)70th percentile-12 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)64th percentile-22 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)93rd percentile+10 vs school

White (2026)93rd percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)87th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)76th percentile-7 vs school

Hispanic (2026)53rd percentile-30 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies56%+17 vs state

English Language Arts54%+14 vs state

Math52%+16 vs state

Mathematics47%+14 vs state

Science47%+8 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 25, 2016

this school has very bad principals. they like to pick on certain kids just because of there skin. I had two kids go there and the older one left the school just because they tried keeping his phone over the summer and they also tried cutting his hair at school. They never gave me a refund after my kid got sick before going to the movies. Close Quote

Schools Near Walker 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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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
Walker Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	1801 3 Mile Rd NW	Grand Rapids	49544	Kent County	Walker Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(616) 785-2700	711	37	19.0	53.7%	337 (47.4%)	57 (8.0%)	169 (23.8%)	54 (7.6%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (12.4%)	79.9	264^th of 1492 public elementary schools	82.3%		72.8	374^th of 1488 public elementary schools	74.9%	110	73.0	47.3	52.4	53.0	52.9	51.6	61.5	59.3	56.6	47.9	48.4	46.2	51.4	43.2	57.1	55.4	$12,313	$755	$11,559
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1460 Laughlin Dr NW	Grand Rapids	49504	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-1519	476	25	19.1	39.3%	306 (64.3%)	55 (11.6%)	71 (14.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (9.0%)	78.7	284^th of 1492 public elementary schools	81.0%		65.2	492^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	66.9%	208			52.4	58.2	60.5			56.1	46.8	45.3			62.8		41.9		$15,403	$2,075	$13,328
Alpine Elementary School	Public	K-5	4730 Baumhoff Ave NW	Comstock Park	49321	Kent County	Kenowa Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 784-0884	323	28	11.4	67.2%	182 (56.3%)	39 (12.1%)	85 (26.3%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.0%)	36.8	904^th of 1492 public elementary schools	39.4%		30.1	1011^th of 1488 public elementary schools	32.1%	107			36.7	42.1	29.6			28.6	42.1	27.8			24.1		18.5		$00	$00	$00
Harrison Park Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	1440 Davis Ave NW	Grand Rapids	49504	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-2565	708	45	15.8	86.0%	87 (12.3%)	212 (29.9%)	323 (45.6%)	10 (1.4%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (10.3%)	7.6	1421^st of 1492 public elementary schools	4.8%		6.7	1432^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	3.8%	11	31.8	7.6	12.3	11.0	7.3	7.5	5.2	17.7	13.4	1450.7	6.3	1659.7	1469.2	10.4	1459.4	21.2	$17,876	$2,798	$15,078
Kent Education CenterOakleigh	Public	K-8	2223 Gordon St NW	Grand Rapids	49504	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4761	32	8	4.0	68.8%	17 (53.1%)	8 (25.0%)	5 (15.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.3%)								(n/a)
Shawmut Hills School	Public	PK, KG-8	2550 Burritt St NW	Grand Rapids	49504	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-3055	267	17	15.4	73.0%	77 (28.8%)	67 (25.1%)	87 (32.6%)	4 (1.5%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (10.9%)	14	1297^th of 1492 public elementary schools	13.1%		19.4	1173^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	21.2%	124	42.9	335.7	16.7	18.2	24.2	1569.3	1676.5	22.2	9.1	9.1	1556.3	1663.4	19.4	1774.1	19.4	28.6	$18,016	$2,175	$15,840
Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School	Public	K-5	4252 3 Mile Rd NW	Grand Rapids	49534	Kent County	Kenowa Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 453-6351	538	39	13.6	41.1%	398 (74.0%)	46 (8.6%)	59 (11.0%)	16 (3.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.0%)	48.5	721^st of 1492 public elementary schools	51.7%		50.7	709^th of 1488 public elementary schools	52.4%	12			33.7	42.5	42.7			39.5	47.2	29.2			36.0		25.8		$00	$00	$00
Stoney Creek Elementary	Public	K-2	200 Lantern Dr NE	Comstock Park	49321	Kent County	Comstock Park Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 254-5600	432	30	14.4	62.0%	206 (47.7%)	46 (10.6%)	108 (25.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	70 (16.2%)								(n/a)																	$28,242	$1,224	$27,018
Palmer School	Public	PK, KG-5	309 Palmer St NE	Grand Rapids	49505	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-2929	187	11	17.6	78.6%	42 (22.5%)	59 (31.6%)	51 (27.3%)	4 (2.1%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (15.5%)	8.5	1400^th of 1492 public elementary schools	6.2%		14.4	1273^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	14.4%	127			14.7	8.9	10.3			1266.8	15.6	7.7			15.4		7.7		$21,010	$3,024	$17,986
Zinser Elementary School	Public	K-5	3949 Leonard St NW	Grand Rapids	49534	Kent County	Kenowa Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 453-2461	443	25	17.6	34.3%	347 (78.3%)	15 (3.4%)	57 (12.9%)	6 (1.4%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.4%)	76.4	316^th of 1492 public elementary schools	78.8%		67.2	460^th of 1488 public elementary schools	69.1%	144			47.4	55.0	60.0			50.0	60.0	52.0			49.3		40.0		$00	$00	$00

Frequently Asked Questions about Walker Charter Academy

Is Walker Charter Academy a good school?

Walker Charter Academy ranks 264^th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Walker Charter Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 711 students attended Walker Charter Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Walker Charter Academy?

Students at Walker Charter Academy are 47% White, 24% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 8% African American, 8% Asian.

What district is Walker Charter Academy in?

Walker 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.