Wayland Union Schools

Wayland Union Schools
Address
850 E. Superior St.[1]
, Allegan, Michigan, 49348
United States
District information
GradesPre-Kindergarten-12
SuperintendentTim Reeves[2]
Schools7[3]
Budget$39,934,000 2021-2022 expenditures[3]
NCES District ID2635550[3]
Students and staff
Students2,765 (2023-2024)[3]
Teachers173.87 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024)[3]
Staff386.46 FTE (2023-2024)[3]
Student–teacher ratio15.9 (2023-2024)[3]
Other information
Websitewaylandunion.org

Wayland Union Schools is a public school district in West Michigan. In Allegan County, it serves Wayland and parts of Dorr Township, Hopkins Township, Leighton Township, and Wayland Township.[4] In Barry County, it serves part of Yankee Springs Township.[5] In Kent County it serves part of Byron Township.[6]

History

As of 1884, a Union School was providing education in Wayland. According to the Grand Rapids Eagle that year, "The Wayland Union School is a live institution in a live little village and the citizens take a lively interest in educational matters."[7]

In 1940, members of the Wayland school community were considering consolidating further with primary school districts in the surrounding townships, based on the examples of Kellogg Agricultural High School (whose district was later absorbed into Gull Lake Community Schools) and Thornapple Kellogg School District.[8] Later that month, voters in the district petitioned the Will Keith Kellogg Child Welfare Foundation, precursor to the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, to financially assist in consolidating and building a new school, as it had helped the other districts.[9] The foundation offered $150,000, which voters agreed to combine with $30,000 in bond issues for construction.[10] The new building, which included all grades and the high school, was under construction by 1941. The architect was Lewis J. Sarvis of Battle Creek, Michigan.[11][12]

The current high school was built in 1973,[13] and the 1941 building became a middle school.[14] In February 1996, the district unveiled an expansion and renovation at the high school. The current middle school was completed in fall, 1996.[13] The 1941 building is currently Pine Street Elementary.[15]

In 2010, a performing arts center with an 800-seat auditorium opened at the high school.[16]

Schools

Schools in Wayland Union Schools district[17][3]
School Address Notes
Baker Elementary 507 W. Sycamore Street, Wayland Grades PreK-1.
Dorr Elementary 4159 18th Street, Dorr Grades PreK-5.
Steeby Elementary 435 E. Superior Street, Wayland Grades 2-3.
Pine Street Elementary 201 Pine Street, Wayland Grades 4-5. Built 1941.[11]
Wayland Union Middle School 701 Wildcat Drive, Wayland Grades 6-8. Built 1996.[13]
Wayland Union High School 870 E. Superior Street, Wayland Grades 9-12. Built 1973.[13]
Career Connections Academy 870 E. Superior Street, Wayland Career and technical classes for grades 9-12.

References

  1. ^ Wayland Union Schools. "Wayland Union Schools". Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  2. ^ Wayland Union Schools. "Administration". Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Wayland Union Schools". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Allegan County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  5. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Barry County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  6. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Kent County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  7. ^ "A lecture at Wayland". The Grand Rapids Eagle. March 1, 1884. p. 2.
  8. ^ "Untitled column 8 (Hickory Corners)". Kalamazoo Gazette. February 1, 1940. p. 3.
  9. ^ "Wayland school petition given to foundation". The Kalamazoo Gazette. February 9, 1940. p. 4.
  10. ^ "Kellogg school plan approved at Wayland". The Kalamazoo Gazette. July 1, 1940. p. 4.
  11. ^ a b "Cornerstone laid for new Wayland school". The Kalamazoo Gazette. August 31, 1941. p. 5.
  12. ^ "Ground broken for building of Wayland school". The Kalamazoo Gazette. September 5, 1940. p. 8.
  13. ^ a b c d Hoekenga, Bryce (January 29, 1996). "Wayland High open house set". The Kalamazoo Gazette. p. Hometown Gazette section p. 6.
  14. ^ "Extra cheese, butter will be distributed". The Kalamazoo Gazette. December 21, 1983. p. E1.
  15. ^ Editorial staff of Wayland Union High School yearbook. Reverie 70 (1970 Wayland Union High School yearbook). p. Photo pages 2–3.
  16. ^ Wayland Union Schools. "Wayland Union Fine Arts Center". Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Wayland Union Schools. "Schools". Retrieved July 21, 2025.