Average
#1505 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 47% in state
Way Academy Vernor Site
High School · W-A-Y Academy
8701 West Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
115:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
115:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#10 of 28
public schools
Michigan high schools
#310 of 812
In district
#2 of 2
W-A-Y Academy
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Way Academy Vernor Site
WAY Academy Vernor Site is a charter high school located in Detroit, Michigan. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 115 students and offers a unique alternative education experience. With only one full-time equivalent teacher, the student-teacher ratio at WAY Academy Vernor Site is quite high.
The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 30th percentile among Michigan schools. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 27% in ELA/reading and 20% in math, indicating areas where there is room for improvement. Despite these challenges, WAY Academy Vernor Site focuses on providing a supportive learning environment tailored to diverse student needs.
The school's setting within Detroit offers both urban opportunities and resources that can enhance the educational experience. WAY Academy Vernor Site is situated in an energetic city environment, with its doors open to students seeking an alternative path to academic success.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 115 students, Way Academy Vernor Site 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Way Academy Vernor Site is 115:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Way Academy Vernor Site 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Way Academy Vernor Site — Students at Way Academy Vernor Site score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 9.2/10.
How Way Academy Vernor Site Compares
See how Way Academy Vernor Site performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
8701 West Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Way Academy Vernor Site may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cesar Chavez High School (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Voyageur College Prep (rated 4.1/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bennett Elementary School Detroit | 0.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Cesar Chavez Academy Elementary Detroit | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Harms Elementary School Detroit | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Salina Intermediate 4 8 Dearborn | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Roberto Clemente Learning Academy Detroit | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Salina Elementary P 3 Dearborn | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle School Detroit | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Cesar Chavez High School Detroit | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Cesar Chavez Academy Intermediate Detroit | 1.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Academy of the Americas at Logan Detroit | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Universal Academy Detroit | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| AL-FURQAN QURAN ACADEMY Detroit | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Voyageur Academy Detroit | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy Detroit | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Voyageur College Prep Detroit | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Munger ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Academy of The Americas High School Detroit | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| SER Metro YouthBuild Learning Academy Dearborn | 1.7 mi | — |
| Priest ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Hope of Detroit Academy Elementary Detroit | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,152
Median Home Value
$82,800
Median Rent
$843/mo
Population
27,534
College Educated
9.6%
Homeownership
58.5%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
30.1%
Median Age
30.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Way Academy Vernor Site has a median household income of $42,152. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $82,800, with a median rent of $843/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ACCE Ypsilanti, MI | 6.4 |
| ACES Academy Alpena, MI | 6.4 |
| Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor, MI | 6.5 |
| CA Alternative EdAtlantis Flint, MI | 6.5 |
| Chippewa Valley Adult and Mohegan Alt Educ Clinton Twp, MI | 6.5 |
| FlexTech High School Brighton, MI | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Way Academy Vernor Site
What grades does Way Academy Vernor Site serve?
Way Academy Vernor Site serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Way Academy Vernor Site?
Way Academy Vernor Site has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Way Academy Vernor Site?
The student-teacher ratio at Way Academy Vernor Site is 115:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Way Academy Vernor Site rank in MI?
Way Academy Vernor Site is ranked #1505 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Way Academy Vernor Site's MySchoolScout rating?
Way Academy Vernor Site 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 Way Academy Vernor Site?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Way Academy Vernor Site has 20.0% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Way Academy Vernor Site a charter school?
Yes, Way Academy Vernor Site is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Way Academy Vernor Site a Title I school?
No, Way Academy Vernor Site is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Way Academy Vernor Site?
99.1% of students at Way Academy Vernor Site 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 (6,148/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 115
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 115:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 444-8082
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
W-A-Y Academy- District Enrollment
- 200
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,759
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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