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West Michigan Aviation Academy
West Michigan Aviation Academy, nominated by an anonymous organization, is a high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily urban/suburban/rural area.
Location Grand Rapids, Michigan
Governance Public Charter School
Grades High
Students 609
Locale Rural, Suburban, Urban
CEO Nicole Gasper
Demographics
Percentage of students*
4%
English Learners
28%
Free/Reduced Lunch
5%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black 10%
American Indian/Alaska Native —
Asian 5%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —
Hispanic or Latino 7%
White 68%
2+ Races —
Why West Michigan Aviation Academy was nominated
WMAA provides an aviation and STEM focused high school experience, located on the campus of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI. Through a curriculum rich in aviation, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and robotics, WMAA offers students a unique opportunity to focus on high-growth career fields. This approach better prepares them to pursue higher education, technical degrees, or enter the workforce in their chosen field. WMAA is one of only a few high schools in the nation where a student can earn a private pilot license as part of the high school curriculum.
Student experience design
WMAA is an academically rigorous public charter high school with a focus on aviation and STEM. We build career pathways by focusing on active, hands-on, skill-based learning that prepares students for high-growth, high-demand fields in the real world. We also build character through strong academic requirements and high behavioral standards which creates a culture that promotes responsibility, respect, and self-motivation. Lastly, we build access and opportunity through an open admission, intentional promotion, and a suite of supportive services that cultivates a diverse student body.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Co-leadership |
5+ years
|
|
Community And Workforce Partnerships |
5+ years
|
|
Industry-aligned Learning Pathways |
5+ years
|
|
Industry Networking |
5+ years
|
|
High Quality Instructional Materials |
5+ years
|
All Practices
Student Advisories
AI For Teacher Productivity
Anti-racist Practices
Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning
Assessments For Career Readiness
Assessments For Deeper Learning
Assessments For Social-emotional Skills
Blended Learning
Career Advising & Support
Career Exploration
College Advising & Support
Competency/mastery-based Education
Early College High School
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery
Higher Education Partnerships
All Courses Designed For Inclusion
Industry-recognized Credentials
Educators Have Industry Experience
Mental Health Services
1:1 Mentoring
Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics
Project-based Learning
Peer To Peer Support
Performance Based Assessment
Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need
Restorative Practices
SEL Integration School-wide
Service Learning
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
Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools
Increase student agency
Respond to stakeholder demand or advocacy
Date Updated: 4/1/2026
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.