Lighthouse Academy Waalkes

Lighthouse Academy Waalkes serves 80 students in grades K-12 as an alternative charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, allowing for personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks impressively at #450 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Michigan schools.

This strong performance suggests the alternative education model is effectively serving its student population. As an alternative school, Lighthouse Academy Waalkes likely provides specialized programming for students who may benefit from a non-traditional educational environment. The small enrollment size creates an intimate learning community where students can receive individualized support and attention from staff.

The school is located on Cedar Street NE in Grand Rapids, within the 49503 ZIP code area. This neighborhood has a median household income of $58,165 and median home values around $204,000. The community shows strong educational commitment, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also faces economic challenges with a 23.1% poverty rate.

The school serves this diverse mid-size city community of over 37,000 residents.

With an enrollment of 80 students, Lighthouse Academy Waalkes 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.

Lighthouse Academy Waalkes 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.