Leighton Township’s public schools outscore 83% of Michigan districts
On the state math tests, 46% of Leighton Township’s students scored proficient, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Leighton Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.
From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Leighton Township’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 575 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Leighton Township’s, its schools beat 71%, lower than their 83% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,808 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Leighton Township’s grade
A−: better than 83% of Michigan school districts, #153 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Leighton Township, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
Bessie B Baker School
Grades PK–1 · 280 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Kindergarten in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
Bessie B Baker School
Grades PK–1 · 280 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
1st grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
Bessie B Baker School
Grades PK–1 · 280 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
2nd grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
RJ Steeby School
Grades 2–3 · 256 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
3rd grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
RJ Steeby School
Grades 2–3 · 256 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
4th grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Pine Street Elementary
Grades 4–5 · 413 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
5th grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Wayland Union Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Pine Street Elementary
Grades 4–5 · 413 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Dorr School
Grades PK–5 · 311 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dorr
6th grade in Leighton Township
Wayland Union Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
7th grade in Leighton Township
Wayland Union Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
8th grade in Leighton Township
Wayland Union Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
9th grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Wayland High School
Grades 9–12 · 800 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Career Connections Academy
Grades 9–12 · 37 students · 1:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
10th grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Wayland High School
Grades 9–12 · 800 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Career Connections Academy
Grades 9–12 · 37 students · 1:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
11th grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Wayland High School
Grades 9–12 · 800 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Career Connections Academy
Grades 9–12 · 37 students · 1:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
12th grade in Leighton Township · depends on your address
Wayland High School
Grades 9–12 · 800 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Career Connections Academy
Grades 9–12 · 37 students · 1:1 students per teacher · in Wayland
Leighton Township’s public schools are run by Wayland Union Schools, which also serves Dorr, Wayland and Wayland. Parts of Leighton Township (17% and 17% of its land) are served by Thornapple Kellogg and Caledonia instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Leighton Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Leighton Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Leighton Township | A− | Wayland Union Schools |
| Wayland | A− | Wayland Union Schools |
| Dorr | A− | Wayland Union Schools PK–12 · Hopkins PK–12 |
| Thornapple | A− | Thornapple Kellogg |
| Gaines | A+ | Caledonia |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Wayland Union Schools with Leighton Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Leighton Township
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Leighton Township’s schools
Are Leighton Township’s schools good?
By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Leighton Township children attend outscore 83% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #153 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Leighton Township in?
Wayland Union Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,708 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Leighton Township are served by Thornapple Kellogg and Caledonia.
Where do Leighton Township kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Wayland High School and Career Connections Academy.
What is Leighton Township’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Wayland Union Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Leighton Township spend per student?
$14,808 in Wayland Union Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Leighton Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Leighton Township → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.