Very Good
#848 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 27% in state
Great Lakes Academy
Elementary School · Great Lakes Academy
46312 WOODWARD AVE, Pontiac, MI 48342
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pontiac
#4 of 12
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#514 of 1,602
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Great Lakes Academy
Great Lakes Academy is a charter school located in Pontiac, Michigan, within Oakland County. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 200 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the 24th percentile among Michigan schools.
Academically, Great Lakes Academy is ranked 2437 out of 3204 state schools, with an academic score of 2.1/10. In reading and math assessments, 18% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 11% meet proficiency standards in Math. Great Lakes Academy focuses on providing a supportive environment for student development, recognizing areas where there is room for academic growth.
The school's setting in Pontiac offers a small-city feel with close-knit community ties and accessible resources within the area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Great Lakes 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.
Great Lakes Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Great Lakes Academy — Students at Great Lakes Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 16 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How Great Lakes Academy Compares
See how Great Lakes Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 11.84% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 18.43% (2022).
Location
46312 WOODWARD AVE, Pontiac, MI 48342
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Great Lakes Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAVE OUR COMMUNITY KORPORATION (rated 7.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Walton Charter Academy (rated 6.5/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, R Grant Graham Elem School (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Auburn Hills), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pontiac, see our Pontiac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Flex High School of Pontiac Pontiac | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Pontiac Academy for Excellence Pontiac | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Whitman Elementary School Pontiac | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac Pontiac | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Herrington School Pontiac | 2.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Pontiac Middle School Pontiac | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Pontiac High School Pontiac | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Pontiac Academy for Student Success Pontiac | 2.6 mi | — |
| SAVE OUR COMMUNITY KORPORATION Pontiac | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Alcott School Pontiac | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| BLOOMFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomfield Hills | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| North Hills Middle School Bloomfield Hills | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Walton Charter Academy Pontiac | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| R Grant Graham Elem School Auburn Hills | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Learning Academy Consortium Waterford | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Momentum Academy Waterford | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Oakside Prep Academy Waterford | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| HAVENWYCK SCHOOL Auburn Hills | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND MARIST ACADEMY Pontiac | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| ROEPER CITY & COUNTRY SCHOOL Bloomfield Hills | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,750
Median Home Value
$90,600
Median Rent
$851/mo
Population
17,227
College Educated
9.5%
Homeownership
38.2%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
33.8%
Median Age
34.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Great Lakes Academy has a median household income of $33,750. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,600, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Carstens ElementaryMiddle School Detroit, MI | 7.2 |
| Courtade Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 7.2 |
| Daly School Inkster, MI | 7.2 |
| Dudley School Battle Creek, MI | 7.2 |
| Grant Primary Center Grant, MI | 7.2 |
| Lamora Park School Battle Creek, MI | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Great Lakes Academy
What grades does Great Lakes Academy serve?
Great Lakes Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Great Lakes Academy?
Great Lakes Academy has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Great Lakes Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Great Lakes Academy is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Great Lakes Academy rank in MI?
Great Lakes Academy is ranked #848 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Great Lakes Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Great Lakes Academy has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Great Lakes Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Great Lakes Academy has 11.2% math proficiency and 17.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Great Lakes Academy a charter school?
Yes, Great Lakes Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Great Lakes Academy a Title I school?
No, Great Lakes Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Great Lakes Academy?
89.0% of students at Great Lakes 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pontiac). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 200
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Oakland County
- Phone
- (248) 334-6434
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Great Lakes Academy- District Enrollment
- 200
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,426
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
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