Needs Improvement
#3038 of 3,190 schools in MI
Will Carleton Charter School Academy
School · Will Carleton Charter School Academy
2001 WEST HALLETT RD, Hillsdale, MI 49242
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsdale
#5 of 6
public schools
Michigan schools
#267 of 279
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Will Carleton Charter School Academy
Will Carleton Charter School Academy serves 278 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Hillsdale, Michigan. This public charter school maintains a favorable 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 20 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #482 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking suggests the school is effectively serving its student body across all grade levels from elementary through high school. Will Carleton Charter School Academy operates in the 49242 zip code area, where the median household income is $56,803 and the median home value is $162,300. The surrounding community has a 13.6% poverty rate, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
These demographics reflect a working-class community with moderate income levels. The school's comprehensive K-12 structure allows students to remain in the same educational environment throughout their academic journey, potentially fostering strong school community bonds. Located in a rural area near the town of Hillsdale in Hillsdale County, the school serves families seeking an alternative to traditional public education in a smaller, more intimate setting.
What Parents Should Know
Will Carleton Charter School Academy 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.
Located in a rural area, Will Carleton Charter School Academy 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
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Will Carleton Charter School Academy — Students at Will Carleton Charter School Academy score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How Will Carleton Charter School Academy Compares
See how Will Carleton Charter School Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 28.27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42.91% (2022).
Location
2001 WEST HALLETT RD, Hillsdale, MI 49242
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Will Carleton Charter School Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. CamdenFrontier K12 School (rated 5.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenfield School (rated 5.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Pittsford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hillsdale, see our Hillsdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale High School Hillsdale | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Horizon Alternative School Hillsdale | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Gier Elementary School Hillsdale | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Davis Middle School Hillsdale | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Bailey Early Childhood Center Hillsdale | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Hillsdale Preparatory School Hillsdale | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Greenfield School Hillsdale | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Jonesville High School Jonesville | 4.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Williams Elementary School Jonesville | 4.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Jonesville Pathways Jonesville | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Jonesville Middle School Jonesville | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Reynolds Elementary School Reading | 6.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Reading High School Reading | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| North AdamsJerome MiddleHigh School North Adams | 7.6 mi | 6.1 |
| North AdamsJerome Elem School North Adams | 7.6 mi | 3.9 |
| CamdenFrontier K12 School Camden | 9.5 mi | 5.7 |
| AMISH SCHOOL #1 Camden | 11.0 mi | 1.9 |
| Litchfield High School Litchfield | 10.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Litchfield Elementary School Litchfield | 10.6 mi | 2.9 |
| FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsford | 9.6 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,813
Median Home Value
$182,900
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
14,768
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
71.7%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Will Carleton Charter School Academy has a median household income of $57,813. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,900, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Creative Technologies Academy Cedar Springs, MI | 4.1 |
| Gull Lake Virtual Partnership Richland, MI | 3.6 |
| CLONLARA SCHOOL Ann Arbor, MI | 4.2 |
| TRAVERSE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Traverse City, MI | 4.4 |
| ROCHESTER HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rochester Hills, MI | 4.7 |
| FAITH BAPTIST SCHOOL Davison, MI | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Will Carleton Charter School Academy
What grades does Will Carleton Charter School Academy serve?
Will Carleton Charter School Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Will Carleton Charter School Academy?
Will Carleton Charter School Academy has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Will Carleton Charter School Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Will Carleton Charter School Academy is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Will Carleton Charter School Academy rank in MI?
Will Carleton Charter School Academy is ranked #3038 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Will Carleton Charter School Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Will Carleton Charter School Academy has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Will Carleton Charter School Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Will Carleton Charter School Academy has 30.1% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Will Carleton Charter School Academy a charter school?
Yes, Will Carleton Charter School Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Will Carleton Charter School Academy a Title I school?
No, Will Carleton Charter School Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Will Carleton Charter School Academy?
39.6% of students at Will Carleton Charter School Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (939/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hillsdale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 278
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hillsdale County
- Phone
- (517) 437-2000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Will Carleton Charter School Academy- District Enrollment
- 278
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,050
- 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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