Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Grand Rapids Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public charter schools serving 8,578 students in Grand Rapids, MI.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Grand Rapids, MI are West Michigan Aviation Academy, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center and Excel Charter Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Grand Rapids, MI public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Michigan public charter school average of 21%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 32% statewide average). Charter schools in Grand Rapids have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Michigan public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public charter school average of 68% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5363 44th St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 446-8886
Gr: 9-12 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
409 Lafayette Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-0330
Gr: K-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Excel Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4201 Breton Rd Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 281-9339
Gr: PK-12 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #44.
Walker Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1801 3 Mile Rd Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
(616) 785-2700
Gr: K-8 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #55.
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1501 Cedar St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 304-8537
Gr: K-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #66.
Lighthouse Academy The Pier
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
703 Ball Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 304-8537
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #77.
West Mi Academy Of Environmental Science
Charter School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4463 Leonard St Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
(616) 791-7454
Gr: PK-12 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #88.
Wellspring Preparatory High School
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1031 Page St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 235-9500
Gr: 9-12 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #99.
Ridge Park Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4120 Camelot Ridge Dr Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 222-0093
Gr: K-8 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1010.
Grand River Preparatory High School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
650 52nd St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 261-1800
Gr: 9-12 | 635 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1111.
Knapp Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1759 Leffingwell Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 364-1100
Gr: K-8 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1212.
Vista Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
711 32nd St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 246-6920
Gr: K-8 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1313.
New Branches Charter Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3662 Poinsettia Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 243-6221
Gr: K-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1414.
Prepnet Virtual Academy
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3850 Broadmoor Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(313) 296-1499
Gr: K-12 | 1,080 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1515.
Covenant High School Grand Rapids
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Antoine St Sw
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 364-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1616.
River City Scholars Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
944 Evergreen St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 248-3390
Gr: K-8 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1717.
Lighthouse Academy South Campus
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3300 36th St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 949-2287
Gr: K-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1818.
Hope Academy Of West Michigan
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
240 Brown St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 301-8458
Gr: PK-12 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #1919.
William C Abney Academy Elementary School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1435 Fulton St E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-5541
Gr: K-6 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Gerald Dawkins Academy
Charter School
1050 Fisk St Se, Ste 1
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(517) 281-8626
Gr: K-5 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Grand Rapids, MI?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Grand Rapids, MI include West Michigan Aviation Academy, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center and Excel Charter Academy.
How many public charter schools are located in Grand Rapids?
21 public charter schools are located in Grand Rapids.
What is the racial composition of students in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids public charter schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public charter schools average of 68% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Grand Rapids are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in Grand Rapids include: Walker Charter Academy vs. West Mi Academy Of Environmental Science

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MI):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools

More Articles

Teaching
Scholarships
Local School Topics
About Public Schools
Opinion