Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio99:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,716

Way Watervliet High School — Students at Way Watervliet High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in MI
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
99:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Watervliet School District
District Enrollment
1,436
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,138
District Rank
#3 of 5

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.