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Very Good

#452 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 14% in state

Youth Center School

High School · Kalamazoo RESA

1424 GULL RD, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Enrollment

50

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

7.9

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kalamazoo

#2 of 29

public schools

Michigan high schools

#68 of 812

In district

#1 of 3

Kalamazoo RESA

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Youth Center School

Youth Center School serves 50 students in grades 5 through 12 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, offering a unique educational environment with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5:1. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides an intimate learning setting where students receive highly individualized attention throughout their middle and high school years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #260 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Michigan schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its small student body. Located on Gull Road, Youth Center School operates within a diverse community where families have a median household income of $62,081 and median home values of $137,900. The surrounding ZIP code area is home to 23,626 residents, with 23% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 10.9%.

The school's small size creates opportunities for personalized learning experiences and close relationships between students and faculty. Youth Center School is situated in the small city of Kalamazoo, providing students access to both educational resources and community connections in this established Michigan community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 50 students, Youth Center 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Youth Center School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$174,971

Youth Center School — Students at Youth Center School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.5%
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
10%
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: 9.9/10.

How Youth Center School Compares

See how Youth Center School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
86th percentile in MI
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

1424 GULL RD, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Youth Center School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kalamazoo Covenant Academy (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Parchment Innovation Center (rated 6.2/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Comstock High School (rated 5.2/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kalamazoo, see our Kalamazoo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Northeastern Elementary School Kalamazoo 0.7 mi 4.3
Parchment Innovation Center Kalamazoo 1.0 mi 6.2
Lincoln International Studies School Kalamazoo 1.1 mi 5.4
Comstock Compass High School Kalamazoo 1.2 mi 5.3
Edison Academy Kalamazoo 1.6 mi 4.5
Parchment Central Elem School Kalamazoo 1.8 mi 4.2
Parchment Middle School Kalamazoo 1.8 mi 3.8
Parchment High School Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 4.6
Spring Valley Center for Exploration Kalamazoo 1.8 mi 4.8
ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kalamazoo 1.7 mi 6.7
Washington Writers Academy Kalamazoo 2.2 mi 6.7
Valley Center School Kalamazoo 2.1 mi
Northglade Montessori School Kalamazoo 1.7 mi 7.3
El Sol Elementary Kalamazoo 2.0 mi 3.3
Woodward Elementary Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 7.3
Parchment North Elem School Kalamazoo 2.6 mi 7.5
Kalamazoo Covenant Academy Kalamazoo 2.3 mi 6.7
Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo 2.4 mi 8.3
Comstock High School Kalamazoo 2.2 mi 5.2
Milwood Magnet School Kalamazoo 2.9 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49048 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,160

Median Home Value

$158,300

Median Rent

$1,032/mo

Population

23,999

College Educated

25.3%

Homeownership

59.6%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

34

Community Profile

The community surrounding Youth Center School has a median household income of $62,160. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,300, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Fitzgerald Virtual Academy Warren, MI 8.0
THE LEELANAU SCHOOL Glen Arbor, MI 8.0
Kent Education CenterBeltline Grand Rapids, MI 7.8
St Clair County Intervention Academy Port Huron, MI 7.8
JCLISD Academy A Regional Middle College Adrian, MI 7.7
Mixter School Lincoln Park, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Youth Center School

What grades does Youth Center School serve?

Youth Center School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Youth Center School?

Youth Center School has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Youth Center School?

The student-teacher ratio at Youth Center School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Youth Center School rank in MI?

Youth Center School is ranked #452 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Youth Center School's MySchoolScout rating?

Youth Center School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Youth Center School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Youth Center School has 17.5% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Youth Center School a charter school?

No, Youth Center School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Youth Center School a Title I school?

No, Youth Center School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Youth Center School?

76.0% of students at Youth Center 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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,785/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalamazoo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kalamazoo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kalamazoo RESA
District Enrollment
1,514
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$186,860
District Rank
#1 of 3

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

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