Average
#1497 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 47% in state
Vista Charter Academy
Elementary School · Vista Charter Academy
711 32ND ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Enrollment
666
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
666
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#66 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#850 of 1,602
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Vista Charter Academy
Vista Charter Academy is a charter school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 666 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated staff includes 43 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students to foster their academic growth.
Vista Charter Academy’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Michigan schools. Academically, the school has room for improvement, with a score of 4.4 out of 10 and proficiency rates of 36% in ELA/reading and 25% in math across all grades. Despite these challenges, Vista Charter Academy focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment.
The school is situated in the heart of Grand Rapids, offering students access to the city’s diverse cultural and educational resources. Vista Charter Academy is part of a vibrant community in a small city setting, providing students with a close-knit experience that nurtures their growth both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Vista 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Vista Charter Academy — Students at Vista Charter Academy score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94%
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: 5.5/10.
How Vista Charter Academy Compares
See how Vista Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 24.31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 35.28% (2022).
Location
711 32ND ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vista Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. New Branches Charter Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sherwood Global Studies Academy (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Godwin Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49548 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,218
Median Home Value
$149,500
Median Rent
$1,129/mo
Population
35,119
College Educated
16.7%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
33.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vista Charter Academy has a median household income of $62,218. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,500, with a median rent of $1,129/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Clinton Elementary School Clinton, MI | 6.4 |
| Commerce Elementary School Commerce Township, MI | 6.4 |
| Dekeyser Elementary School Sterling Heights, MI | 6.4 |
| Eastwood School Sturgis, MI | 6.4 |
| Endeavor Charter Academy Battle Creek, MI | 6.4 |
| Grandville Century Park Learning Center Wyoming, MI | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vista Charter Academy
What grades does Vista Charter Academy serve?
Vista Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Vista Charter Academy?
Vista Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 666 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Vista Charter Academy is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vista Charter Academy rank in MI?
Vista Charter Academy is ranked #1497 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Vista Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista Charter Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Vista Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Charter Academy has 24.6% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vista Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Vista Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Vista Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Vista Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Charter Academy?
94.0% of students at Vista 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 (3,416/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 666
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 246-6920
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vista Charter Academy- District Enrollment
- 666
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,410
- 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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