Wacousta Elementary School

Wacousta Elementary School in Eagle, MI, is a K-4 school with 457 students in the Grand Ledge Public Schools district, serving a community where about 23% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch.

Wacousta has shown a remarkable turnaround this year, jumping 340 places in state rankings to land in the 67th percentile—a dramatic improvement from last year's 44th percentile. This rebound is especially notable when compared to other Grand Ledge schools like Delta Center Elementary and TC Holbrook Elementary, which both dropped in rankings this year. However, the school's success isn't uniform across grades. Third graders are thriving, with reading proficiency nearly 18 points above the state average, but fourth graders lag behind, scoring only slightly above state averages in both reading and math. There's also a notable gender gap—boys are performing in the 72nd percentile statewide while girls are in the 59th percentile, the largest such gap among comparable district schools.

On the positive side, Wacousta has a strong school climate with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 15.5%, far better than the district average of 22.6% and nearly half the state average. This suggests families are engaged and kids are showing up ready to learn. One point of consideration for parents: Wacousta spends more per student ($15,235) than any other elementary in its district, yet its outcomes don't match those of Willow Ridge Elementary, which achieves top-tier results with lower spending. While Wacousta's recent rebound is encouraging, its performance has been volatile over the past decade, alternating between strong and average years. For families weighing options, it's worth watching whether this year's gains represent a sustainable trend or part of a cyclical pattern.