Families in Washtenaw County seeking a different approach to education may find what they need in a charter school. These free public options often offer supportive settings and challenging academics designed to prepare students for college success.
To help families make informed choices, this list highlighting the best charter schools in Washtenaw County, uses a combination of publicly available data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau, along with community reviews, survey feedback, and academic performance indicators such as test scores and college readiness.
Read on for our guide to this list of best charter schools in Wayne County.
Best charter schools in Washtenaw County
South Arbor Charter Academy (A+)
- Address: 8200 Carpenter Road, Ypsilanti
- Why it stands out: A member of the National Heritage Academies charter network, this school provides its students with a robust education.
South Arbor Charter Academy serves roughly 800 students as young as five through grade eight.
The school offers on-site before and after school care thanks to a partnership with STARS. Students can get involved with sports like basketball, cheerleading and soccer while receiving an education with a moral focus.
Arbor Preparatory High School (B+)
- Address: 6800 Hitchingham Road, Ypsilanti
- Why it stands out: Students at this college prep high school benefit from many options when it comes to academics and extracurriculars.
Many Advanced Placement (AP) options, electives and rigorous core classes make the curriculum at Arbor Prep attractive to families. Its college prep environment ensures that when students graduate, they are prepared for wherever life takes them.
Students also have a variety of clubs, volunteer opportunities and sports options. Arbor Prep is a member of the National Heritage Academies charter network and benefits from support from the organization.
East Arbor Charter Academy (B)
- Address: 6885 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti
- Why it stands out: East Arbor Charter Academy is a good option for students looking for an individualized education with many extracurricular options.
The school offers on-site before and after school care thanks to a partnership with Champions. Students can get involved with sports like basketball, cross country and volleyball while receiving an education with a moral focus.
High performing students have the option to take on more advanced coursework with the school’s EXCEL-ERATE program. The school is part of the National Heritage Academies charter network.
Central Academy (B)
- Address: 2459 South Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor
- Why it stands out: Central Academy stands out for its International Baccalaureate offerings for younger students.
Central Academy is a Primary Years Program (PYP) IB World School educating students in grades PreK-12. This school aims to graduate a class of global citizens.
Students study subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Arabic Language, Science, Social Studies, PE, Technology, Art and Music. Alongside lessons on core subjects, teachers educate students on moral character and values. Children learn character traits like respect, responsibility and appreciation at this academy.
South Pointe Scholars (B-)
- Address: 10550 Geddes Road, Ypsilanti
- Why it stands out: This National Heritage Academies school is committed to creating well-rounded students with a strong moral code.
South Pointe Scholars educates children in grades K-8 using personalized instruction and experiential learning.
Students are challenged with rigorous academics and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves with lessons on moral character.
There are also many student leadership opportunities for kids wanting to get involved. Students can choose from four sports (basketball, cross country, soccer and volleyball) and two clubs (Adventures Guild and bowling league).
Livingston Classical Academy (B-)
- Address: 8877 Main St., Whitmore Lake
- Why it stands out: This charter academy stands out for its commitment to a classical education, where students learn subject matter in depth and are taught moral values.
Livingston Classical Academy follows a classical method of teaching, intended to create “a virtuous education, a content-rich curriculum and a traditional classroom environment,” says the school.
The academy prioritizes learning through meaningful dialogue and Socratic discussion. Students are not taught solely to perform well on tests, but rather to learn for the sake of learning.
Classical education is also focused on creating well-rounded students. The school prioritizes developing virtue, critical thinking, and wisdom.
Fortis Academy (B-)
- Address: 3875 Golfside Road, Ypsilanti
- Why it stands out: Students graduate from Fortis with stronger moral character thanks to the school’s approach to character development.
As part of the National Heritage Academies network, Fortis Academy prioritizes character building.
Students take part in a moral focus program in which a different virtue is highlighted each month. Multiple lessons a week are devoted to instilling those virtues in students.
The school hosts many events throughout the year, including school carnival, talent shows, science night and more.
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