Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Wayland

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Wayland Downtown Historic DistrictWayland Downtown Historic District · Photo: Gpwitteveen · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Wayland · Wayland Union Schools

Wayland’s public schools outscore 83% of Michigan districts

Math proficiency in Wayland’s districts is 46%, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Wayland, 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.

#153of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
55%
▲ 10 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
46%
▲ 12 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 9 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▼ 10% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.7
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
2,397 students on the public path
In brief

Wayland’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1186 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Wayland’s, its schools beat 90%, higher 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 ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Therese Catholic School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Wayland’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

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.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 83%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1186)Better than 90%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,420 test results and a graduating class of 205 could put Wayland anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Wayland’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,419 in math, 1,420 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Wayland, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–1Bessie B Baker SchoolWayland Union SchoolsNo scores
2–3RJ Steeby SchoolWayland Union SchoolsB
5–8Wayland Union Middle SchoolWayland Union SchoolsB+
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressC− to B+

Wayland’s public schools are run by Wayland Union Schools, which also serves Dorr, Leighton and Wayland. 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.

Wayland Union SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 2,708 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 14.7 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$14,808MI $16,528 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading55%
State average 45.4% · 1420 students tested
Math46%
State average 33.6% · 1419 students tested

Wayland vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Wayland’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WaylandA−Wayland Union Schools
LeightonA−Wayland Union Schools

Every school in Wayland

7 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).

District schools in Waylandby address
Bessie B Baker School
Elementary · Grades PK–1
280 students13:1Rate it →
RJ Steeby School
Elementary · Grades 2–3
B
256 students18:1Rate it →
Pine Street Elementary
Elementary · Grades 4–5
A−
413 students20:1Rate it →
Wayland Union Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B+
611 students17:1Rate it →
Wayland High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
800 students19:1Rate it →
Career Connections Academy
High · Grades 9–12
C−
37 students1:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Therese Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
Private · Catholic
43 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Wayland’s schools

Are Wayland’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Wayland 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 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Wayland in?

Wayland Union Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,708 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Wayland kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Wayland High School and Career Connections Academy.

What is Wayland’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Wayland Union Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Wayland spend per student?

$14,808 in Wayland Union Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Wayland?

Yes: St. Therese Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–4, 43 students).

Parents talk

What Wayland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wayland → 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.