Average
#1335 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 42% in state
Vanguard Charter Academy
Elementary School · Vanguard Charter Academy
1620 52ND ST SW, Wyoming, MI 49519
Enrollment
791
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
791
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wyoming
#6 of 14
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#773 of 1,602
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Vanguard Charter Academy
Vanguard Charter Academy serves 791 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Wyoming, Michigan, operating as a charter school with a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1 and 40 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #659 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Michigan elementary schools. Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 60% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 56% reach proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence across the elementary and middle school years. Located on 52nd Street SW, Vanguard Charter Academy sits within a stable community where the median household income is $68,164 and median home values reach $191,200. The surrounding ZIP code area of 49519 has a population of 28,070, with 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a modest poverty rate of 11.4%.
The school serves families in this small city setting within Kent County, providing educational options in a well-established residential area.
What Parents Should Know
Vanguard Charter 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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Vanguard Charter Academy — Students at Vanguard Charter Academy score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.4/10.
How Vanguard Charter Academy Compares
See how Vanguard Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 55.88% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 59.64% (2022).
Location
1620 52ND ST SW, Wyoming, MI 49519
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vanguard Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Godwin Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gladiola Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wyoming, see our Wyoming schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49519 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,373
Median Home Value
$220,300
Median Rent
$1,176/mo
Population
28,308
College Educated
28.4%
Homeownership
56.4%
Avg Commute
21.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
32.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vanguard Charter Academy has a median household income of $75,373. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,300, with a median rent of $1,176/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Beacon Tree Elementary School Shelby Township, MI | 6.6 |
| Besser Elementary School Alpena, MI | 6.6 |
| Coopersville South Elementary School Coopersville, MI | 6.6 |
| Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Detroit, MI | 6.6 |
| Eagle Crest Charter Academy Holland, MI | 6.6 |
| Madison Elementary School Adrian, MI | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vanguard Charter Academy
What grades does Vanguard Charter Academy serve?
Vanguard Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Vanguard Charter Academy?
Vanguard Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 791 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vanguard Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Vanguard Charter Academy is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vanguard Charter Academy rank in MI?
Vanguard Charter Academy is ranked #1335 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Vanguard Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Vanguard Charter Academy has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Vanguard Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vanguard Charter Academy has 56.4% math proficiency and 59.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vanguard Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Vanguard Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Vanguard Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Vanguard Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vanguard Charter Academy?
61.7% of students at Vanguard Charter 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
- City Safety
- High (2,623/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wyoming). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 791
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 538-3630
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vanguard Charter Academy- District Enrollment
- 791
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,580
- 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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