West MI Academy of Environmental Science

A school of choice that should not be ruled out. It may not be for your child(ren) but you will never know if you don't check it out. The teachers are some of the best I have ever seen, the students are fun and typical kids. Students, parents and teachers work together at this school and in my experience this school works the best for the individual when all three parties are working towards the same goal. Nothing in life is easy and not any one thing is best for everyone but this school is moving forward and getting better every year.
—Submitted by a parent

My Son is a sophmore this year at WMA-ES (his second year) he was very bored with our public school and wanted a change. He has a 3.56 gpa and is doing very well. He likes all of his teachers and even though he does not prefer English class, he has had a couple of teachers that make this a much more interesting class for him. Thanks to all the teachers there!
—Submitted by a parent

The leadership has improved in the last two years, the teachers have always been outstanding, and parent involvement is on the rise. Students are excelling and the school keeps improving. I do not regret my choice to send my children to this school. My oldest has graduated from this school and is 3 credits ahead on freshman year of college because of the hard work of this staff and personal hard work. If a student and parent are willing to work and help each other, this school is great. My youngest is excelling in sports and doing pretty good in school, reaching the school's required C average and beyond as he progresses in High School. High expectations = success.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending this school for four years. I really like this school. My belief is that no matter what school, you are bound to have a year or more of teachers that you feel are not as good as others. Obviously. So yes my children have had a teacher than I felt could have done better. You will also have just as many problems with bullying or parent to teacher communication with any school your children attend. There seems to be many changes taking place at the school over the last few years and last year could have gone better, but. . . I have complete faith in this school to continue progressing and becoming an even BETTER school. As a parent of WMAES I know that if you put in the time to be involved with your children's academics and speak with the teachers and principles you will get the help and/or advice you need and expect. Thank you WMAES! I love this school! WMAES staff, you're MY families, second family!
—Submitted by a parent

As an employee of this school I have to say that I truly disagree with those people who say that the administration is horrible. I see what the principals are dealing with everyday and they do a tremendous job. Our principals came in to this job with a mess to clean up and I believe they have been doing that. WMAES is a tremendous school with a lot of support for both staff and students. I would not hesitate to send a student here.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have taught at this school for the past few years, and I can tell you that there are many great teachers, but the administration is horrible. All the teachers are constantly looking for new jobs because we all feel like we are in a constant fear of losing our own jobs. Administration does not care about its staff or the students. I believe the main goal for this school is for the people higher up to make money, because we certainly don't see any of it being spent in the classroom on the students. I would never send my child to this school. It has a lot of potential, but as long as the same principals are working here, nothing will change
—Submitted by a teacher

This school has really good teachers, however this school goes through teachers like it goes through toliet paper. The principal acts like he cares so much about his students , but if you have a problem, he will do everything in his power to avoid you. It takes going waaaaay over his head to get any type of problems solved. I recommend you move into Kenowa district or find a friend that lives in kenowa district. If you really do not like your kids, then by all means send them to this school!
—Submitted by a parent

The school was great, i enjoyed my time spent there, but the communication from parent to the administration sucked. What i mean by that is when a parent expresses their concern the school does a bad job of fixing the problem and the problem still persists until it is too late and fights start between the students. The teachers were amazing even though they usually didnt keep the same teacher more than 1 year. Very few teachers had been kept more than that. All around great school but dont expect your concerns to be taken care of by the administators.

The school is moving forward and doing a great job teaching the students to be better people as well as feeding their young minds.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers great - communication from administration horrible.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has greatly improved over the past 2 years. It is a safe environment where learning and respect for both staff and fellow students is taught. I see nothing but good things happening now & in future years!
—Submitted by a parent

I am the godparent to students at this school and I see great things there. The students are really learning and the staff is very helpful. I enjoy my visits there and when my son is old enough for preschool and if we are still in Michigan he will be going there. I enjoy the small class sizes and the individual attention I see my godchildren receive on my visits and that I hear them talk about. I have heard good things about the new principal that started this year and about the high school principal who is on his second year I think. They both seem to really care about their students not just their studies either, their health and their life. I recommend this school for everyone to at least try.

I like the volleyball team, anyone 7-12 grade can try out and anyone with good grades can play if they are on the team. My teachers really seem to care and even put up with me coming in before school to ask for help. It's not the greatest school probably but I like it.
—Submitted by a student

I am a teacher at this school and very proud of how far this school has come. There have been dramatic changes over the years and we employ some of the best teaching staff that Grand Rapids has to offer. Our school has high standards and high expectations of our students. We want every student to be the best that they can be!! Thank you, WMAES, for your commitment to the kids, the parents and the staff!
—Submitted by a teacher

I think this school is the worst by far. Some of the kids are completely out of hand. The teachers aren't very good. I'd rather send my child to a public school than this one.
—Submitted by a parent

WMAES is an excellent place for children. I'm proud to be affiliated with it.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has poor leadership and I wish they cared more about my student and other students
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended this school for quite a few years. It has been improving every year until this year. They fired the high school principal and gave the position to the elementary principal. The new principal is young and has no experience with high school students. Things have really gone downhill in the last few months. The reason the school has done so well is because of the commitment and caring of the principal they let go. Many of the parents and staff are outraged and many won't be returning next year. He made this school what it is and because of him our school won an award for excellence. it's too bad that the management treated him so unfairly and let their own personal feelings get in the way. He put everything he had into this school. He put kids first and isn't that what it's all about?
—Submitted by a parent

Used to be a very good and active school. The environment has gotten completely out of hand this year. For a schooll that used to be great, it's terrible that they now are just not worth the inconvenience.
—Submitted by a parent

There are not many sports at this school to actually help achieve full potential in kids. This school has a tough education setting and they do not 'believe' in D's. So your children need to get A-C's to pass. Some of the teachers do not know what they are teaching, if they are teaching. Most teachers sit at their desk and have the kids do it on thier own. I do not recommend this school unless you want to have a strict school with not much help to your children.
—Submitted by a student