Very Good
#925 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 29% in state
Way Michigan
High School · WAY Michigan
407 E FORT ST, Detroit, MI 48226
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
119:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
119:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#26 of 150
public schools
Michigan high schools
#168 of 812
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Way Michigan
WAY Michigan serves 119 students in grades 6-12 as an alternative charter school in Detroit's Wayne County. This specialized educational environment operates with one full-time equivalent teacher, creating a unique student-teacher ratio of 119:1 that reflects its alternative structure and approach to education. The school demonstrates strong academic performance overall, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #534 out of 3,204 Michigan schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 67% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 21% of students currently perform at proficient levels or higher. Located at 407 E Fort Street in Detroit, WAY Michigan operates within a diverse urban community.
The surrounding 48226 ZIP code area is home to approximately 6,900 residents, with a median household income of $71,875 and median home values around $293,900. The neighborhood reflects an educated community, with 51% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a poverty rate of 14.6%. This alternative school serves families seeking specialized educational options within Detroit's dynamic urban landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 119 students, Way Michigan 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 Michigan is 119:1, 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 Michigan 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
View breakdown
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Way Michigan — Students at Way Michigan score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How Way Michigan Compares
See how Way Michigan performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
407 E FORT ST, Detroit, MI 48226
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Way Michigan may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cass Technical High School (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Martin Luther King Jr Senior High School (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,813
Median Home Value
$307,700
Median Rent
$1,714/mo
Population
6,893
College Educated
52.7%
Homeownership
9.1%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Way Michigan has a median household income of $69,813. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,700, with a median rent of $1,714/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 54th Street Academy Grand Rapids, MI | 7.1 |
| CHSHorizons School Calumet, MI | 7.1 |
| CapstoneWayne Co Juvenile Detention Fac Detroit, MI | 7.1 |
| Consolidated Community School Services Kincheloe, MI | 7.1 |
| The Greenspire School Traverse City, MI | 7.1 |
| AUSTIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Chesterfield, MI | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Way Michigan
What grades does Way Michigan serve?
Way Michigan serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Way Michigan?
Way Michigan has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Way Michigan?
The student-teacher ratio at Way Michigan is 119:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Way Michigan rank in MI?
Way Michigan is ranked #925 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Way Michigan's MySchoolScout rating?
Way Michigan has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Michigan?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Way Michigan has 21.0% math proficiency and 66.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Way Michigan a charter school?
Yes, Way Michigan is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Way Michigan a Title I school?
No, Way Michigan is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Way Michigan?
86.6% of students at Way Michigan 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
- Walk Score
- 97 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 83 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 62 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (6,148/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 119
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 119:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (734) 494-2106
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WAY Michigan- District Enrollment
- 119
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,250
- 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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