Average
#1982 of 3,190 schools in MI
Way Watervliet High School
High School · Watervliet School District
450 EAST SAINT JOSEPH ST, Watervliet, MI 49098
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
99:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
99:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watervliet
#3 of 5
public schools
Michigan high schools
#449 of 812
In district
#3 of 5
Watervliet School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Way Watervliet High School
WAY Watervliet High School is an alternative high school located in the rural setting of Watervliet, Michigan. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, this small school has an enrollment of just 99 students and a single full-time teacher, giving it an unusually high student-to-teacher ratio. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #2133 out of 3204 schools in Michigan indicate that there is room for academic growth, particularly with only 28% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 18% proficiency or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, WAY Watervliet High School offers a supportive environment for students who may benefit from alternative educational approaches. The school's setting near the town of Watervliet provides a close-knit community feel, where students can receive individual attention and support to help them succeed.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 99 students, Way Watervliet High School 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 Watervliet High School is 99:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Way Watervliet High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Way Watervliet High School — Students at Way Watervliet High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 9.4/10.
How Way Watervliet High School Compares
See how Way Watervliet High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
450 EAST SAINT JOSEPH ST, Watervliet, MI 49098
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Way Watervliet High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Covert High School (rated 7.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Covert), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hartford Alternative Education (rated 6.2/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Hartford), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Coloma High School (rated 5.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Coloma), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watervliet, see our Watervliet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watervliet Middle School Watervliet | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Watervliet Senior High School Watervliet | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| North Elementary School Watervliet | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| South Elementary School Watervliet | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Coloma Intermediate School Coloma | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Coloma Elementary School Coloma | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Coloma High School Coloma | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Coloma Junior High School Coloma | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watervliet | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Hartford Alternative Education Hartford | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Hartford High School Hartford | 4.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Hartford Middle School Hartford | 4.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Redwood Elementary Hartford | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Covert Elementary School Covert | 7.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Covert High School Covert | 7.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Covert Middle School Covert | 7.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Countryside Academy Elementary Benton Harbor | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 7.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Wood School Bangor Twp 8 Bangor | 9.0 mi | — |
| Riverside School Benton Harbor | 7.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49098 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,899
Median Home Value
$150,500
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Population
5,791
College Educated
20.7%
Homeownership
74.5%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Way Watervliet High School has a median household income of $56,899. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,500, with a median rent of $1,253/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Jonesville Pathways Jonesville, MI | 5.9 |
| Litchfield High School Litchfield, MI | 5.9 |
| Marshall Opportunity High School Albion, MI | 5.9 |
| Romulus Virtual Learning Center Romulus, MI | 5.9 |
| Cedar Street Community and Family Center Paw Paw, MI | 6.0 |
| Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly Detroit, MI | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Way Watervliet High School
What grades does Way Watervliet High School serve?
Way Watervliet High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Way Watervliet High School?
Way Watervliet High School has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Way Watervliet High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Way Watervliet High School is 99:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Way Watervliet High School rank in MI?
Way Watervliet High School is ranked #1982 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Way Watervliet High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Way Watervliet High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Watervliet High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Way Watervliet High School has 17.5% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Way Watervliet High School a charter school?
No, Way Watervliet High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Way Watervliet High School a Title I school?
No, Way Watervliet High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Way Watervliet High School?
68.7% of students at Way Watervliet High School 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
- Elevated (1,155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watervliet). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 99:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 463-0897
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watervliet School District- District Enrollment
- 1,436
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,138
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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