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Grand Traverse Academy

Q: Is Grand Traverse Academy a good school?

Grand Traverse Academy ranks 367 th of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

367^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Alternative Schools

Better than 75% of Michigan alternative schools

Summary

Grand Traverse Academy is a public charter school in Traverse City, MI, serving 824 students from Pre-K through 12th grade as its own independent school district. This school stands out for its exceptional academic performance, with proficiency rates that frequently double or even triple state averages across nearly every subject and grade level.

For parents comparing options, the academic gap between Grand Traverse Academy and nearby schools is striking. In 11th-grade SAT testing, 86.5% of GTA students scored proficient in reading and writing, compared to just 52.1% statewide and 52.3% at Buckley Community Schools. Math scores tell a similar story, with 57.7% proficiency at GTA versus 26.5% statewide. Even in elementary grades, the differences are substantial—4th-grade math proficiency sits at 67.1% at GTA versus 39.4% statewide. The school also boasts remarkably low chronic absenteeism at 15.8%, nearly half the state average, suggesting strong family engagement. Additionally, GTA spends less per student ($9,337) than Buckley ($13,775) while achieving better outcomes, indicating efficient use of resources.

However, there are a few areas worth noting. While test scores are consistently high, the graduation rate has shown volatility, dropping from 96.7% in 2023-2024 to 87.5% in 2024-2025, with a corresponding spike in dropout rates. This contrasts with the school's strong in-class performance and may warrant questions about high school retention. There's also a noticeable dip in 5th-grade scores—math proficiency falls to 38.2% that year before rebounding in 6th grade. It's important to understand that while GTA shares an "alternative" classification with the Northwest Education Services schools like North EdCreekside School, those institutions serve significantly higher-need populations with free/reduced lunch rates between 58-76%, making direct comparisons misleading. GTA serves a more mainstream population (27.79% free/reduced lunch) and functions as a rigorous school of choice rather than an intervention program.

824

Students ?

15.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,337

Per pupil spending ?

27.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1245 Hammond Rd E
Traverse City, MI 49686-9000

(231) 932-6008

District: Grand Traverse Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.4%

Hispanic:

3.5%

Two or more races:

3.2%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Grand Traverse Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 89th percentile in 2023 → 93rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (56% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 25% of Michigan alternative schools

✓88% graduate in 4 years — above the Michigan average (84%)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school56%

District avg56%

Michigan avg41%

Elementary school

367^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 25%▲ up 13 pts since 2016

From top 37% (2016) to top 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

141^st of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 16%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 22% (2016) to top 16% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

57^th of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 7%▲ up 6 pts since 2016

From top 13% (2016) to top 7% (2026)

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
2026	73.2	367 of 1492	75.4%	★★★★☆
2025	72.1	383 of 1488	74.3%	★★★★☆
2024	65.6	476 of 1486	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.3	386 of 1470	73.7%	★★★★☆
2022	64.8	410 of 1344	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.9	370 of 1153	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.2	497 of 1408	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	69.8	442 of 1448	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	64.1	433 of 1466	70.5%	★★★★☆
2016	61.5	580 of 1548	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	57.8	662 of 1580	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	57.7	684 of 1533	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	58.8	666 of 1563	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	62.7	566 of 1566	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	66.9	562 of 1552	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	70.3	513 of 1552	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	66.0	635 of 1589	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	58.7	803 of 1577	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	44.6	1104 of 1565	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	40.9	1167 of 1545	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	66.0	384 of 1343	71.4%	★★★★☆
2025	62.2	441 of 1338	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.0	395 of 1342	70.6%	★★★★☆
2023	69.1	317 of 1321	76.0%	★★★★☆
2022	62.4	347 of 1106	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.0	268 of 902	70.3%	★★★★☆
2019	70.6	288 of 1171	75.4%	★★★★☆
2018	68.3	441 of 1443	69.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	71.8	267 of 1352	80.3%	★★★★☆
2025	68.3	329 of 1346	75.6%	★★★★☆
2024	58.1	496 of 1381	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	80.3	158 of 1350	88.3%	★★★★☆
2022	79.0	122 of 1099	88.9%	★★★★☆
2021	71.7	138 of 749	81.6%	★★★★☆
2019	60.9	369 of 1134	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	74.8	241 of 1397	82.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	70.6	353 of 1372	74.3%	★★★★☆
2025	72.4	340 of 1366	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	57.7	536 of 1347	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.1	453 of 1334	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.7	378 of 1139	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.0	350 of 915	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.0	444 of 1196	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	67.7	444 of 1446	69.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	61.5	421 of 1199	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.7	444 of 1206	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.3	514 of 1204	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.3	462 of 1198	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.9	475 of 1102	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.4	347 of 1005	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.9	543 of 1128	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.2	514 of 1253	59.0%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	79.7	141 of 896	84.3%	★★★★☆
2025	83.2	111 of 890	87.5%	★★★★☆
2024	75.6	166 of 897	81.5%	★★★★☆
2023	88.3	86 of 883	90.3%	★★★★★
2022	81.7	103 of 776	86.7%	★★★★☆
2021	71.8	138 of 675	79.6%	★★★★☆
2019	84.8	95 of 792	88.0%	★★★★☆
2018	78.2	163 of 838	80.5%	★★★★☆
2017	77.6	135 of 821	83.6%	★★★★☆
2016	72.3	201 of 894	77.5%	★★★★☆
2015	73.3	196 of 919	78.7%	★★★★☆
2014	70.8	228 of 921	75.2%	★★★★☆
2013	72.2	213 of 919	76.8%	★★★★☆
2012	77.3	169 of 900	81.2%	★★★★☆
2011	76.6	160 of 858	81.4%	★★★★☆
2010	75.1	188 of 851	77.9%	★★★★☆
2009	61.5	419 of 847	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	63.3	381 of 839	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	58.9	437 of 823	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	68.4	286 of 806	64.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	67.3	199 of 789	74.8%	★★★★☆
2025	78.1	117 of 789	85.2%	★★★★☆
2024	72.4	147 of 771	80.9%	★★★★☆
2023	78.9	107 of 770	86.1%	★★★★☆
2022	74.2	117 of 657	82.2%	★★★★☆
2021	65.2	129 of 521	75.2%	★★★★☆
2019	85.1	73 of 658	88.9%	★★★★☆
2018	75.8	159 of 794	80.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	60.5	262 of 834	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	94.0	20 of 832	97.6%	★★★★★
2024	73.8	124 of 836	85.2%	★★★★☆
2023	90.1	32 of 825	96.1%	★★★★★
2022	88.4	38 of 691	94.5%	★★★★★
2021	91.4	19 of 523	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	93.0	15 of 672	97.8%	★★★★★
2018	92.6	29 of 815	96.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	79.8	122 of 813	85.0%	★★★★☆
2025	82.4	106 of 798	86.7%	★★★★☆
2024	72.5	161 of 786	79.5%	★★★★☆
2023	89.4	73 of 776	90.6%	★★★★★
2022	82.0	94 of 658	85.7%	★★★★☆
2021	72.8	106 of 540	80.4%	★★★★☆
2019	78.3	103 of 639	83.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.6	145 of 797	81.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	69.4	171 of 687	75.1%	★★★★☆
2025	74.6	141 of 696	79.7%	★★★★☆
2024	63.4	202 of 701	71.2%	★★★★☆
2023	82.2	94 of 688	86.3%	★★★★☆
2022	74.4	127 of 638	80.1%	★★★★☆
2021	66.4	147 of 577	74.5%	★★★★☆
2019	76.4	115 of 624	81.6%	★★★★☆
2018	69.1	172 of 678	74.6%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	89.8	57 of 800	92.9%	★★★★★
2025	77.4	136 of 739	81.6%	★★★★☆
2024	87.8	72 of 743	90.3%	★★★★★
2023	86.1	79 of 735	89.3%	★★★★☆
2022	89.7	59 of 531	88.9%	★★★★☆
2021	92.5	35 of 561	93.8%	★★★★★
2019	86.8	75 of 666	88.7%	★★★★☆
2018	88.4	73 of 824	91.1%	★★★★★
2017	90.9	51 of 835	93.9%	★★★★★
2016	83.1	108 of 852	87.3%	★★★★☆
2015	90.3	57 of 832	93.1%	★★★★★
2014	82.8	106 of 799	86.7%	★★★★☆
2013	73.6	198 of 805	75.4%	★★★★☆
2012	91.8	46 of 773	94.0%	★★★★★
2011	87.2	55 of 784	93.0%	★★★★★
2010	78.2	149 of 765	80.5%	★★★★☆
2009	78.3	155 of 754	79.4%	★★★★☆
2008	60.2	378 of 750	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	75.4	175 of 767	77.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	86.6	55 of 686	92.0%	★★★★★
2025	68.8	164 of 629	73.9%	★★★★☆
2024	86.9	58 of 619	90.6%	★★★★★
2023	69.6	150 of 611	75.5%	★★★★☆
2018	84.5	80 of 710	88.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	70.8	133 of 719	81.5%	★★★★☆
2025	80.4	87 of 635	86.3%	★★★★☆
2024	84.0	64 of 654	90.2%	★★★★★
2023	99.6	4 of 614	99.3%	★★★★★
2018	86.4	59 of 755	92.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	83.9	74 of 693	89.3%	★★★★☆
2025	66.6	176 of 628	72.0%	★★★★☆
2024	83.2	79 of 633	87.5%	★★★★☆
2022	85.3	64 of 440	85.5%	★★★★☆
2021	90.2	37 of 472	92.2%	★★★★★
2019	77.5	106 of 543	80.5%	★★★★☆
2018	87.5	68 of 707	90.4%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	87.6	62 of 671	90.8%	★★★★★
2025	73.8	136 of 639	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	82.3	84 of 638	86.8%	★★★★☆
2023	83.1	87 of 647	86.6%	★★★★☆
2022	87.0	65 of 492	86.8%	★★★★☆
2021	90.1	44 of 516	91.5%	★★★★★
2019	84.2	79 of 582	86.4%	★★★★☆
2018	85.0	80 of 708	88.7%	★★★★☆

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

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)80th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)74th percentile~ school

Female (2026)71st percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)65th percentile-11 vs school

Middle school

Male (2026)85th percentile~ school

White (2026)75th percentile-9 vs school

Female (2026)75th percentile-9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)69th percentile-16 vs school

High school

Female (2026)92nd percentile~ school

White (2026)91st percentile~ school

Male (2026)89th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)82nd percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing86%+34 vs state

Science53%+15 vs state

English Language Arts52%+13 vs state

Math51%+15 vs state

Mathematics50%+17 vs state

Social Studies49%+9 vs state

2.4

9 ratings · 8 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★5

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, December 11, 2017

We used to love this school, but poor management has taken this school down hill. They punish kids for being kids! The teachers do not communicate with the parents, and the interim superintendent doesn't stand up for the kids or parents. Save your self the trouble and find another school. Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, October 18, 2013

The administration is very negative with the teaching staff as well as controlling. In comparison to other schools I taught at, I was blown away at how little the administration supported their staff. When it came to discipline and bullying there was little support as well for students. Overall, it was not a very good experience. Close Quote

by a teacher
Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Unfortunately, GTA offers very little technology to students. The majority of rooms have no Smartboards, Elmos, or other digital technology for students to utilize. Four computers per classroom do not allow for much widespread use either. Although there is a computer lab, with so many classes it is difficult to ever find an open slot. In preparing students for today's world this is a necessity. There are many great lessons that cannot be taught as well due to this fact. Other local schools offer laptaps and Ipads starting in the elementary level. GTA really needs to invest in these items and make it a top priority. Otherwise, students will not be prepared. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, January 11, 2013

Awesome school! G.T.A. and Montessori were the only schools to pass no child left behind standards in the area and Montessori costs close to 10000 per year G.T.A. is free. My kids love it. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 13, 2012

GTA asks teachers to treat parents as customers and provide good customer service. This sounds more like a fast food establishment then a working team consisting of student, parent, and teacher. I find this highly disturbing as a parent. I respect the teachers and feel this does not necessarily warrant support for them. This may explain the high teacher turn-over at the school. It worries me to see so many teachers leaving every year in a tough economy. Close Quote

by a student
Monday, June 11, 2012

As a former student of GTA, I can say that while it seems annoying and overly strict to a student, I have realized that the education the school gave to me was invaluable. I have seen a lot of parent reviews, and I feel that the only way they know about what happens at the school is through the mouths of the children, which is often biased. As much as people complain about it, the small class size, experience and know-how of the teachers, and overall quality of the school was the major factor in my acceptance to a military intelligence job in the Army. Thank you, GTA. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

High Teacher turn over rate made me worried that they were not getting the best Teachers or either not paying for well educated teachers.
Had some issues on Meap scores being low for the school, over all just not happy with the staff or board members. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, May 27, 2010

Awesome tuition free charter school
For children that don't fit the typical mold, and for bringing out the best in their students. Close Quote

Schools Near Grand Traverse 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 ()				Ranking ()				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)			PSAT Mathematics (2026)			SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT 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 ()	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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th 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
Grand Traverse Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1245 Hammond Rd E	Traverse City	49686	Grand Traverse County	Grand Traverse Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(231) 932-6008	824	54	15.2	27.8%	720 (87.4%)	23 (2.8%)	29 (3.5%)	11 (1.3%)	7 (0.8%)	8 (1.0%)	26 (3.2%)								(n/a)	81.8	90.6	65.2	54.5	60.4	32.6	86.5	57.7	52.5	63.5	45.5	53.4	44.1	57.4	67.1	38.2	45.2	44.1	45.5	50.9	65.4	28.6	54.5	73.1	$9,337	$310	$9,027
North EdNew Horizons	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	933 Rose St	Traverse City	49686	Grand Traverse County	Northwest Education Services	No	No	No	No	(231) 933-5685	75	14	5.3	58.7%	63 (84.0%)	5 (6.7%)	4 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.7%)								(n/a)
North EdBridgeway	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	301 S Garfield Ave	Traverse City	49686	Grand Traverse County	Northwest Education Services	No	No	No	No	(231) 933-5683	70	24	2.9	70.0%	64 (91.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.3%)	1 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.4%)	1 (1.4%)								(n/a)
North EdCreekside School	Public, Alternative	K-12	1100 Silver Dr	Traverse City	49684	Grand Traverse County	Northwest Education Services	No	No	No	No	(231) 922-6375	64	10	6.4	76.6%	57 (89.1%)	2 (3.1%)	2 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.6%)								(n/a)
Buckley Community Schools	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	305 S 1st St	Buckley	49620	Wexford County	Buckley Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 269-3325	488	31	15.8	45.7%	460 (94.3%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.5%)								(n/a)	79.4	51.4	55.9	50.0	48.6	35.3	52.3	36.4	14.3	32.4	28.2	31.6	33.3	19.0	29.7	25.6	54.1	30.6	30.8	64.7	50.0	12.8	41.2	38.6	$13,775	$1,005	$12,770

Frequently Asked Questions about Grand Traverse Academy

How many students attend Grand Traverse Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 824 students attended Grand Traverse Academy.

Is Grand Traverse Academy a good school?

Grand Traverse Academy ranks 367^th of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Grand Traverse Academy?

Students at Grand Traverse Academy are 87% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 3% African American, 1% Asian.

What district is Grand Traverse Academy in?

Grand Traverse Academy

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresNewSep 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.