Grand Traverse Academy
- Public, Charter
- TRAVERSE CITY, MI
Charter School
Grand Traverse Academy
- grade A minusOverall Grade
- Public, Charter
- PK, K-12
- TRAVERSE CITY, MI
- Rating 4.06 out of 5 104 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade B+
- Diversitygrade B minus
- Teachersgrade A+
- College Prepgrade B minus
- Clubs & Activitiesgrade B minus
- Administrationgrade A minus
- Sportsgrade C+
- Foodgrade C+
- Resources & Facilitiesgrade B+
About
Enrolling
Grades
PK, K-12
Students
815
From Grand Traverse Academy
Since our founding in 2000, Grand Traverse Academy has been committed to our mission of ensuring that all students are safe, loved and learning as they achieve excellence in character and academics. Excellence is defined as being prepared for responsible citizenship and success in higher education. We accomplish this with strategies based on sound educational research, which include multi-aged classrooms; high academic standards; school uniforms for both students and staff; a K-12 character education curriculum; Spanish instruction starting in kindergarten; a generous college dual enrollment policy for high school students; and a focus on Dr. William Glasser's Choice Theory, which is based on the concept of personal responsibility. A loving atmosphere creates a sense of family within the classroom and the school as a whole.
Upcoming Events
Grand Traverse Academy Rankings
Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.
Academics
Percent Proficient - Reading
56%
Percent Proficient - Math
50%
Average Graduation Rate
90%
Average SAT
1160
69 responses
Average ACT
26
19 responses
AP Enrollment
30%
Popular Colleges
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.
K-12 Collaboration
Grades K-12 all under the same roof allows for many opportunities for collaboration between elementary and secondary classes, which benefits both younger and older students alike.
Map
Map
Home Listings
- Cost of Livinggrade B minus
- Good for Familiesgrade A
- Housinggrade B+
Median Household Income
$69,393
National
$69,021Median Rent
$1,049
National
$1,163Median Home Value
$237,200
National
$244,900Culture & Safety
Poll
92%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school. 12 responsesPoll
67%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. 12 responsesStudents
Diversity
grade B minus
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
815
Free or Reduced Lunch
38%
60%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive. 10 responses60%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy. 10 responses50%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. 10 responsesPreschool
Annual Cost
$7,300
Cost is for the most complete schedule offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.
Starting Age
3 years
Pre-K Student-Teacher Ratio
No data available
Website
Schedule Options
- Offers Full WeekYes
- Offers Part WeekYes
- Offers Full DayYes
- Offers Part DayYes
Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
National
17:1Average Teacher Salary
No data available
Teachers in First/Second Year
7%
86%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. 14 responses86%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. 14 responses71%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. 14 responsesClubs & Activities
Clubs & Activities
grade B minus
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Average
Boys Athletic Participation
Low
Expenses Per Student
No data available
National
$12,23954%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. 13 responses31%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need. 13 responses62%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations. 13 responsesGrand Traverse Academy Reviews
Rating 4.06 out of 5 104 reviews
When my son was ready for kindergarten many years ago, I stressed over where to send him to school after what I saw firsthand in the local schools that my stepchildren attended. I was appalled at the behaviors that were either allowed or ignored. In many cases, the students were in charge.
Attending an enrollment meeting at Grand Traverse Academy was like a breath of fresh air! What struck me most was the character education curriculum that focuses on good citizenship and emphasizes traits like kindness, respect and responsibility. The small class sizes ensure one-on-one relationships between students and teachers, and the academics are rigorous with high expectations and support where needed. Preschool-grade 12 in the same building allows for collaboration between age groups and provides a family like atmosphere. Older students realize they are setting an example for younger ones and behave accordingly.
GTA is an excellent choice for children in the Grand Traverse area!
Attending an enrollment meeting at Grand Traverse Academy was like a breath of fresh air! What struck me most was the character education curriculum that focuses on good citizenship and emphasizes traits like kindness, respect and responsibility. The small class sizes ensure one-on-one relationships between students and teachers, and the academics are rigorous with high expectations and support where needed. Preschool-grade 12 in the same building allows for collaboration between age groups and provides a family like atmosphere. Older students realize they are setting an example for younger ones and behave accordingly.
GTA is an excellent choice for children in the Grand Traverse area!
I'll start with a caveat: I've had three kids graduate from this school. My oldest was in 2nd grade at GTA the day they opened their doors and my next two followed along. Back in the day, under the guidance of William Glasser and Kay Mentley, this was an academically rigorous school and a breath of fresh air in our area.
Things have changed.
My youngest child will be entering 9th grade this year and will NOT be spending one more day in this school, where they spend more time worrying about skirt length than they do about academics. Forget new math, all they do now is teach straight from Khan Academy, you may as well homeschool. Think outside the box? NOPE! Critical thinking skills? NOPE! Classical education? NOPE! Art? NOPE! Teach to standardized testing? ALL DAY LONG!
This is a GREAT place to send your kids if you want to raise a good retail associate who is able to mindlessly follow simple commands. For a school that had a great start and showed much promise, it's fallen low.
Things have changed.
My youngest child will be entering 9th grade this year and will NOT be spending one more day in this school, where they spend more time worrying about skirt length than they do about academics. Forget new math, all they do now is teach straight from Khan Academy, you may as well homeschool. Think outside the box? NOPE! Critical thinking skills? NOPE! Classical education? NOPE! Art? NOPE! Teach to standardized testing? ALL DAY LONG!
This is a GREAT place to send your kids if you want to raise a good retail associate who is able to mindlessly follow simple commands. For a school that had a great start and showed much promise, it's fallen low.
What I really love about GTA is Character Education! As a parent of 2 daughters who attended (1 daughter graduated in 2020, & 1 daughter is currently finishing her Junior year); I feel that Character Education was very supportive in instilling all the positive character traits that I try to instill everyday - but much of the time feel as though I'm "swimming against the tide", as the rest of society (popular media,
peers, etc.) reinforces "un-savory" interests & behavior.
Additionally, my husband and I do not have the advantage of having supportive family nearby; I definitely feel that GTA "made up" for that, and played the role of a surrogate family by teaching (& reinforcing) for our daughters the curriculum of "Choice Theory".......it has been absolutely brilliant!
peers, etc.) reinforces "un-savory" interests & behavior.
Additionally, my husband and I do not have the advantage of having supportive family nearby; I definitely feel that GTA "made up" for that, and played the role of a surrogate family by teaching (& reinforcing) for our daughters the curriculum of "Choice Theory".......it has been absolutely brilliant!