Average
#1800 of 3,190 schools in MI
Way Niles
High School · Niles Community Schools
1 TYLER ST, Niles, MI 49120
Enrollment
108
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
108
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Niles
#6 of 13
public schools
Michigan high schools
#390 of 812
In district
#4 of 8
Niles Community Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Way Niles
WAY Niles is an alternative high school located in the suburban area of Niles, Michigan. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, WAY Niles has a total enrollment of 108 students. While specific student-teacher ratio and teacher details are not provided, the school focuses on providing flexible educational opportunities for its diverse student body.
WAY Niles has received a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, placing it at the 37th percentile among Michigan schools in terms of state ranking. The academic score stands at 3.5 out of 10, indicating that there is room for improvement in student performance. On standardized tests, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while only 20% demonstrate proficiency in Math.
WAY Niles serves a suburban community with a variety of resources nearby. The school's setting offers both the benefits of city amenities and the advantages of smaller, more personalized educational settings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 108 students, Way Niles 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.
While current test scores at Way Niles are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Way Niles — Students at Way Niles score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 8 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: 9.7/10.
How Way Niles Compares
See how Way Niles performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
1 TYLER ST, Niles, MI 49120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Way Niles may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clay High School (rated 8.6/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby South Bend), which scores notably higher. Another option is Niles Cedar Lane (rated 6.5/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brandywine Senior High School (rated 5.6/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Niles Cedar Lane Niles | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Niles Virtual School Niles | 0.0 mi | — |
| Southside Special Educ School Niles | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Eastside Connections School Niles | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Niles Senior High School Niles | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles | 1.2 mi | — |
| Brandywine Middle School Niles | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Northside Child Development Center Niles | 1.9 mi | — |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Niles | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Ballard Elementary School Niles | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 3.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Clay High School South Bend | 6.3 mi | 8.6 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend | 6.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Darden Elementary School South Bend | 6.5 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,940
Median Home Value
$166,800
Median Rent
$911/mo
Population
36,652
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Way Niles has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Academic and Career Education Academy Midland, MI | 6.1 |
| Jenison Innovation Academy Jenison, MI | 6.1 |
| Malcolm High School Sault S. Marie, MI | 6.1 |
| The Laker Opportunity Center W. Bloomfield, MI | 6.1 |
| Vicksburg Pathways High School Vicksburg, MI | 6.1 |
| Bellaire MiddleHigh School Bellaire, MI | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Way Niles
What grades does Way Niles serve?
Way Niles serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Way Niles?
Way Niles has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.
How does Way Niles rank in MI?
Way Niles is ranked #1800 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Way Niles's MySchoolScout rating?
Way Niles has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Niles?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Way Niles has 20.0% math proficiency and 37.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Way Niles a charter school?
No, Way Niles is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Way Niles a Title I school?
No, Way Niles is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Way Niles?
64.8% of students at Way Niles 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 (2,386/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Niles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 108
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 633-0736
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Niles Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,327
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,405
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
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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