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Very Good

#994 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 31% in state

Career Connections Academy

High School · Wayland Union Schools

870 East Superior Street, Wayland, MI 49348

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

2.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan high schools

#182 of 812

In district

#3 of 7

Wayland Union Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Career Connections Academy

Career Connections Academy serves 52 high school students in grades 9-12 in Wayland, Michigan. This regular public school stands out with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 2.5:1, supported by 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive highly individualized attention. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking #208 out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 94th percentile among Michigan high schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This impressive performance reflects the school's commitment to student success within its small, focused setting. Career Connections Academy's location on East Superior Street places it in a stable community where the median household income reaches $76,020 and median home values are $231,400. The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.0%, while 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive educational environment.

The school's small enrollment allows for personalized learning experiences that larger institutions often cannot provide. Students benefit from close relationships with teachers and individualized support throughout their high school journey. Career Connections Academy operates in Wayland, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Allegan County, offering students both small-town community feel and access to broader regional opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Career Connections Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Career Connections Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.5:1, Career Connections Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio2.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,731

Career Connections Academy — Students at Career Connections Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Career Connections Academy Compares

See how Career Connections Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in MI
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
3:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

870 East Superior Street, Wayland, MI 49348

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Career Connections Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Martin High School (rated 6.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Martin), a more accessible option. Another option is Hopkins High School (rated 5.1/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Hopkins), a more accessible option. Additionally, Wayland High School (rated 4.7/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wayland, see our Wayland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Wayland High School Wayland 0.0 mi 4.7
RJ Steeby School Wayland 0.3 mi 4.8
Wayland Union Middle School Wayland 0.3 mi 5.5
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wayland 0.6 mi 3.9
Pine Street Elementary Wayland 0.7 mi 7.9
Bessie B Baker School Wayland 0.9 mi 6.5
ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL Dorr 4.9 mi 6.3
Dorr School Dorr 5.7 mi 8.7
Paris Ridge Elementary Caledonia 6.7 mi 8.6
EAST MARTIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martin 8.5 mi 6.1
Byron Center Charter School Byron Center 8.5 mi 7.9
Martin High School Martin 9.4 mi 6.0
Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin 9.4 mi 3.4
Hopkins High School Hopkins 7.4 mi 5.1
Sycamore Elementary School Dorr 7.5 mi 6.0
Hopkins Middle School Hopkins 7.4 mi 4.6
Hopkins Elementary School Hopkins 7.5 mi 7.3
Thornapple Kellogg Middle School Middleville 7.5 mi 5.6
Countryside Elementary School Byron Center 9.9 mi 7.3
Page Elementary School Middleville 7.7 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49348 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,267

Median Home Value

$247,200

Median Rent

$1,123/mo

Population

13,607

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

79.9%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

38.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Career Connections Academy has a median household income of $79,267. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,200, with a median rent of $1,123/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHSHorizons School Calumet, MI 7.1
Phoenix Alternative High School Powers, MI 7.1
Burr Oak High School Burr Oak, MI 7.2
Macomb Academy Clinton Township, MI 7.2
Oakridge Fusion Muskegon, MI 7.2
MESIVTA OF WEST BLOOMFIELD West Bloomfield, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Career Connections Academy

What grades does Career Connections Academy serve?

Career Connections Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Career Connections Academy?

Career Connections Academy has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Career Connections Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Career Connections Academy is 2.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Career Connections Academy rank in MI?

Career Connections Academy is ranked #994 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Career Connections Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Career Connections Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Career Connections Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Career Connections Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Career Connections Academy a charter school?

No, Career Connections Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Career Connections Academy a Title I school?

No, Career Connections Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Career Connections Academy?

65.4% of students at Career Connections Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (567/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Allegan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wayland Union Schools
District Enrollment
2,765
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,953
District Rank
#3 of 7

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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