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GreatSchools Rating

Vista Charter Academy

Charter | K-8 | 726 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted October 16, 2012

I have 3 kids that are at vista and we LOVE it. They truly strive for excellence and achieve their mission statement. They celebrate their wonderful diverse community and come along side every student to see them succeed academically.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 2, 2012

Vista Charter Academy is one of the best schools I have ever worked with. From the caring staff, to the delightful students, to the college preparatory curriculum, the whole Vista family works together to educate the students academically and morally! I have worked with over 10 other charter schools, and hands down the folks at Vista are the best!


Posted June 14, 2011

The Worst school ever The criculuim is way to hard!!! the Food is gross The Classrooms stink but the teachers are nice.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2009

We appreciate the moral focus and the advanced curriculumn taught in the charter school system. Vista has proven to be a great schooling environment. We are impressed with the friendliness of the staff and all the hard work they put into helping our child be the best she can be every day.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 18, 2008

I think Vista is one of the best schools in the Grand Rapids area. They have excellent academic programs and caring teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 11, 2008

This school is diverse. A true model for America. The moral focus component is a much needed step toward teaching our children how to succeed in our changing world. My daughter is challenged in her classes and the teacher make every effort to work with my husband and I in bring the objectives taught in class into our familiy.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 23, 2008

My son has been attending Vista for 3 years and he loves it. They engage the parents a lot which I think is crucial for a well rounded education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 2, 2008

i love you school. i love mr.grandy,mr.white and all the teachers.
—Submitted by a student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 41% in 2013.

78 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
35%

2012

 
 
38%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
94%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 66% in 2013.

77 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
64%

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
92%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 45% in 2013.

80 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
36%

2012

 
 
24%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
90%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 68% in 2013.

77 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
68%

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
76%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 47% in 2013.

77 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
27%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 46% in 2013.

77 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
23%

2012

 
 
16%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
81%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 70% in 2013.

75 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
65%

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
68%
Science

The state average for Science was 13% in 2013.

79 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
1%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
62%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 40% in 2013.

80 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
24%

2012

 
 
16%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
70%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 68% in 2013.

79 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
72%

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
84%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 30% in 2013.

83 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
10%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
53%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 38% in 2013.

75 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
31%

2012

 
 
30%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
73%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 62% in 2013.

75 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
57%

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
76%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 52% in 2013.

75 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
40%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 33% in 2013.

79 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
33%

2012

 
 
9%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
63%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 66% in 2013.

79 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
67%

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
70%
Science

The state average for Science was 16% in 2013.

80 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
6%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
66%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 52% 5%
Black 39% 20%
White 8% 71%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 84%N/A42%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 17N/A18
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Mr. Joe Grandy
Fax number
  • (616) 246-6930

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Special education
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

711 32nd St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Website: Click here
Phone: (616) 246-6920

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