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Needs Improvement

#3102 of 3,192 schools in MI

Great Lakes Academy

Elementary School · Great Lakes Academy

46312 WOODWARD AVE, Pontiac, MI 48342

Charter

Enrollment

200

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,102 of 3,192

In Pontiac

#11 of 13

public schools

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Great Lakes Academy

3.0/10

Elementary School in Pontiac · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Flex High School of Pontiac

6.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pontiac Academy for Excellence

6.3/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Great Lakes Academy

Great Lakes Academy is a public elementary school in Pontiac, MI, part of Great Lakes Academy. Great Lakes Academy serves approximately 200 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Great Lakes Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,102 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Great Lakes Academy show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.1 pts below MI schools
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Great Lakes Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

79% of students at Great Lakes Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-4.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,426
Chronic Absenteeism78.5%

Great Lakes Academy — Students at Great Lakes Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 25.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 36 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
12.4%
ELA
19%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Great Lakes Academy Compares

See how Great Lakes Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in MI
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
78.5%

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 notably higher. Another option is Momentum Academy (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Waterford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, R Grant Graham Elem School (rated 5.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Auburn Hills), which scores notably higher. 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 6.0
Pontiac Academy for Excellence Pontiac 1.0 mi 6.3
Whitman Elementary School Pontiac 1.9 mi 3.2
Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac Pontiac 2.0 mi 4.3
Herrington School Pontiac 2.2 mi 2.6
Pontiac Middle School Pontiac 2.5 mi 4.9
Pontiac High School Pontiac 2.6 mi 6.3
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 2.4
BLOOMFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomfield Hills 3.1 mi 7.4
North Hills Middle School Bloomfield Hills 3.0 mi 8.6
Walton Charter Academy Pontiac 3.1 mi 4.9
R Grant Graham Elem School Auburn Hills 2.4 mi 5.1
Virtual Learning Academy Consortium Waterford 2.6 mi 5.5
Momentum Academy Waterford 2.5 mi 7.3
Oakside Prep Academy Waterford 2.5 mi 4.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Daly School Inkster, MI 3.0
Northeastern Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 3.0
Spring Valley Center for Exploration Kalamazoo, MI 3.0
Wick Elementary School Romulus, MI 3.0
Bellview Elementary School Eastpointe, MI 3.1
Dudley School Battle Creek, MI 2.9

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 ranks #3,102 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Great Lakes Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Great Lakes Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Great Lakes Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Great Lakes Academy has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
67 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
78.5%

District

Great Lakes Academy
District Enrollment
200
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,426
District Rank
#1 of 1

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