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
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Youth Center School — Students at Youth Center School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76%
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: 9.9/10.
How Youth Center School Compares
See how Youth Center 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 improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (269) 270-8252
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kalamazoo RESA- District Enrollment
- 1,514
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $186,860
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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.