South Arbor Charter Academy Named Top Public K-8 School in Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan, (Dec. 16, 2025) – South Arbor Charter Academy was named the Top Public K-8 School in Michigan by Niche, an organization that specializes in data and rankings. South Arbor’s Elementary and Middle schools were also ranked the best among charter schools in Michigan, earning an A+ grade overall.

The rankings are based on a rigorous analysis of key statistics and reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Read more about Niche’s process here.

NHA claimed nine of the top 10 spots on the Best Public K-8 Schools in Michigan rankings. Two NHA high schools were ranked in the top 10 for charter high schools in Michigan, as well.

NHA’s 2026 Best Public K-8 Schools in Michigan:

• South Arbor Charter Academy, No. 1: A+ grade.
• Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy, No. 2: A+ grade.
• Cross Creek Charter Academy, No. 3: A+ grade.
• Excel Charter Academy, No. 4: A grade.
• Eagle Crest Charter Academy, No. 5: A grade.
• Achieve Charter Academy, No. 6: A grade.
• Chandler Woods Charter Academy, No. 7: A grade.
• Vanguard Charter Academy, No. 9: A grade.
• Canton Charter Academy, No. 10: A grade.

NHA’s 2026 Best Charter High Schools in Michigan:

• Grand River Preparatory High School, No. 5: A- grade.
• Wellspring Preparatory High School, No. 8: A- grade.

NHA schools feature prominently in Niche’s charter school and local rankings, as well. Fifteen NHA schools rank in the top 25 on the Best Charter Elementary and Middle Schools in Michigan lists. Cross Creek and Chandler Woods ranked in the top five on the Best Public K-8 Schools in Grand Rapids list. Achieve and Canton were ranked in the top five on the Best Public K-8 Schools in Detroit list.

At the high school level, Grand River Prep and Wellspring Prep were in the top five on the Best Charter High Schools in Grand Rapids list, and Canton Prep and Arbor Prep were ranked in the top five on the Best Charter High Schools in Detroit list.

Great job, and congratulations to all!
 
About South Arbor Charter Academy
South Arbor Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Ypsilanti, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA^®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

Visit South Arbor Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.