W-A-Y Academy School District

8701 West Vernor Highway
Detroit, MI 48209-1434
1/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

W-A-Y Academy School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public high schools serving 200 students in W-A-Y Academy School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Michigan.
Public High Schools in W-A-Y Academy School District have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Michigan public high school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Public High School in W-A-Y Academy School District have a Graduation Rate of 20%, which is less than the Michigan average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Way Academy Chicago Site, with ≤20% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Michigan or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public high school average of 36% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,342 Schools
# Students
200 Students
534,573 Students
# Teachers
1 Teacher
30,578 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
115:1
115:1

District Rank

W-A-Y Academy School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 851 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 10-14% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MI)
#791 out of 866 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of W-A-Y Academy  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
≤10%
34%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of W-A-Y Academy  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Michigan by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
≤10%
45%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of W-A-Y Academy  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Michigan by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
≤20%
38%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of W-A-Y Academy  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Michigan by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
10-14%
81%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of W-A-Y Academy  School District and public school graduation rate of Michigan by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.55
0.55
# American Indian Students
n/a
4,986 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
n/a
18,254 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
4%
# Hispanic Students
99 Students
48,354 Students
% Hispanic Students
50%
9%
# Black Students
92 Students
93,042 Students
% Black Students
46%
17%
# White Students
9 Students
343,842 Students
% White Students
4%
64%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
513 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
24,779 Students
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
-
# Students in K Grade:
-
5,648
# Students in 1st Grade:
-
5,648
# Students in 2nd Grade:
-
5,769
# Students in 3rd Grade:
-
5,907
# Students in 4th Grade:
-
5,943
# Students in 5th Grade:
-
6,233
# Students in 6th Grade:
12
11,476
# Students in 7th Grade:
9
17,607
# Students in 8th Grade:
11
20,600
# Students in 9th Grade:
72
114,668
# Students in 10th Grade:
50
112,993
# Students in 11th Grade:
33
109,871
# Students in 12th Grade:
13
109,317
# Ungraded Students:
-
2,893

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,730 is higher than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has grown by 30% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,085 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has grown by 30% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MI)
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$25,476 MM
This chart displays total revenue of W-A-Y Academy  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$3 MM
$24,351 MM
This chart displays total spending of W-A-Y Academy  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$18,730
$18,510
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in W-A-Y Academy  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$17,085
$17,693
This chart displays average spending per public school student in W-A-Y Academy  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best W-A-Y Academy School District Public High Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Way Academy Chicago Site
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
19321 W Chicago St
Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 444-9398
Grades: 6-12
| 85 students
Rank: #22.
Way Academy Vernor Site
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8701 W Vernor Hwy
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 444-8082
Grades: 6-12
| 115 students

Recent Articles

Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: 06-12
  • Enrollment: 200 students
  • Minority Enrollment: 96%
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50% in MI)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : ≤10% (Btm 50%)
  • : ≤10% (Btm 50%)
  • : ≤20% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

Quick Links