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Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education (WAVE)
Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education (WAVE), nominated by Education Evolving, is a middle/high school in Ypsilanti, Michigan, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily urban/suburban/rural area.
Location Ypsilanti, Michigan
Governance Public District School
Grades Middle, High
Students 450
Locale Rural, Suburban, Urban
Program Director Sarah Giddings
Demographics
Percentage of students*
2%
English Learners
75%
Free/Reduced Lunch
35%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black 34%
American Indian/Alaska Native —
Asian 1%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —
Hispanic or Latino 5%
White 45%
2+ Races —
Why Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education (WAVE) was nominated
This teacher-powered school uses a hybrid model of virtual and in person learning to best meet the needs of their high risk students. WAVE was created by the Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium as an alternative high school for students in the local area who were not succeeding at traditional district schools. Teachers at WAVE root their shared purpose in a belief in the inherent potential of their students, and in helping those students to address the challenges that held them back. WAVE has an exceptionally high teacher retention rate.
Student experience design
The student experience we create at WAVE is one that is personalized and flexible to meet any student's needs. Students feel supported and free to be themselves. Students also have learning spaces that reflect best practices for student support. We have designed WAVE for relationship-building and a year-round collaborative culture.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Blended Learning |
5+ years
|
|
Family And Community Support Services |
5+ years
|
|
Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles |
5+ years
|
|
Restorative Practices |
5+ years
|
|
Self-paced Learning |
5+ years
|
All Practices
Advancement On Mastery
Student Advisories
Anti-racist Practices
Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning
Assessments For Social-emotional Skills
Career Advising & Support
Career Exploration
Co-leadership
College Advising & Support
Community And Workforce Partnerships
Competency/mastery-based Education
Culturally Responsive Practices
Extended Learning Time
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery
All Courses Designed For Inclusion
Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies
Individual Learner Profiles
Individual Learning Paths
Mental Health Services
1:1 Mentoring
Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics
Multi-age Classrooms
Project-based Learning
Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need
SEL Integration School-wide
Students Access Their Own Data
Student-led Goal Setting
Students Develop Projects
Trauma-informed Practices
Tutoring
Universal Design For Learning
Career Prep
key reasons for innovating
Improve school culture
Improve student mental health
Increase student agency
Artifacts
Date Updated: 4/1/2026
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.