West Michigan Aviation Academy

What West Michigan Aviation Academy does

West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) is a tuition-free public charter high school authorized by Grand Valley State University, serving grades 9-12 from a campus located on Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 2010 by Dick DeVos, the school operates at a chartered capacity of 620 students (155 per grade), admitting via lottery when applications exceed capacity and drawing students from a seven-county area across roughly 40-50 feeder schools.

The school's core product is an aviation- and STEM-focused curriculum that integrates traditional college-prep academics and Advanced Placement coursework with hands-on flight and engineering programs. Notable technical and infrastructure components include three dedicated Cessna 172 aircraft for student flight training, a Redbird LD flight simulator plus eight Jaybird desktop simulator stations, a Build-A-Plane program in which students refurbish a Schweizer 2-33 Glider and a Bellanca Scout, an engineering fabrication lab with 19 3D printers, a VEX robotics competitive program, and a junior-level Unmanned Aerial Systems course through which students can sit for the FAA drone licensing exam. WMAA is one of only a handful of U.S. high schools in which students can earn a private pilot license as part of the standard curriculum.

WMAA's business model combines a State of Michigan per-pupil foundation allowance (the primary recurring stream) with private philanthropy channeled through the West Michigan Aviation Academy Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) that raises roughly $1,500–$2,000 per student annually to fund aviation-specific programming, aircraft, flight instruction, and teacher development not covered by the state stipend. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via open enrollment, information sessions, school tours, and a student-shadow program; the school is supported by an extensive industry partnership network including Airbus, Delta Air Lines, GE Aerospace, Gulfstream, Kent Career Tech Center, and a 2026 guaranteed-admission pathway with Western Michigan University's College of Aviation. A separate Flight Training Center opened in 2021 houses ground school, flight training, Build-A-Plane, and hangar space, and provides on-site accommodation for industry partner Mayday Avionics.

Name

West Michigan Aviation Academy

Legal name

West Michigan Aviation Academy

Website

https://westmichiganaviation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

West Michigan Aviation Academy is a tuition-free public charter high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving 620 students in grades 9-12 with an aviation and STEM-focused curriculum that includes flight training, Build-A-Plane, and engineering programs on the Gerald R. Ford International Airport campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation-Focused Secondary Education

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Charter high school
• Aviation education
• STEM curriculum
• Flight training programs
• Pilot license programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Per-Pupil Funding: As a public charter school, WMAA receives a per-pupil stipend from the State of Michigan that covers traditional courses and standard educational expenses
2. Private Philanthropy/Donations: WMAA Foundation (501(c)(3)) cultivates donors and private philanthropy to raise additional funds needed for aviation programs, flight instruction, Build-A-Plane, and enhanced educational opportunities costing $1,500-$2,000 per student annually above state funding

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

West Michigan Aviation Academy is a tuition-free public charter high school for grades 9-12 delivering a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with hands-on aviation and STEM programming. Students can pursue flight training toward a private pilot license, participate in the Build-A-Plane program, take Unmanned Aerial Systems courses, and access engineering, robotics, and biomedical courses, with the school located on the Gerald R. Ford International Airport campus.

Product overview

West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) is a tuition-free public charter high school for grades 9-12 located on the campus of Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI. The school operates as a unified educational product combining a rigorous academic curriculum with specialized aviation and STEM programs. The core offering includes the Aviation & STEM Curriculum integrated with private pilot license training, the Build-A-Plane program, and Advanced Placement courses. Supporting services include counseling, student support services, athletics, clubs & activities, community service requirements, and a university partnership program. The WMAA Foundation provides supplementary funding for enhanced educational opportunities. The school serves 620 students maximum across four grades, with a lottery system for enrollment when applications exceed capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aviation & STEM Curriculum A comprehensive aviation and STEM-focused high school curriculum for grades 9-12, integrating flight training, engineering, robotics, and biomedical programs with traditional academics.
• Private Pilot License Program One of few high schools in the nation where students can earn a private pilot license as part of the high school curriculum. Includes ground school, flight training, and FAA licensing exam preparation.
• Build-A-Plane Program Hands-on program where students refurbish actual aircraft including a Schweizer 2-33 Glider and Bellanca Scout airplane, gaining practical aviation maintenance experience.
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Course Junior-level course qualifying students to take the FAA Licensing Test for drone operations, earning a portable credential for workforce entry.
• Flight Training Center Facility housing aviation and aerospace courses including ground school, flight training, Build a Plane, and hangar space for school aircraft. Also provides space for industry partner Mayday Avionics.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses College-level curricula and examinations offered in partnership with College Board. AP classes are audited by College Board and students take AP exams in May for potential college credit.
• Flight Simulator Training Training facilities include three Cessna 172 aircraft, Redbird LD simulator, eight Jaybird desktop flight simulator stations, and radio-controlled airplane club.
• Student Support Services Comprehensive support including mental health services, MTSS framework, summer school, English Language Learning programs, and Special Education services.
• Counseling Services Comprehensive school counseling addressing personal/social, academic, and career preparation/college planning needs. Includes college rep visits, scholarship coaching, and TRAILS groups for anxiety and depression.
• Clubs & Activities Various student clubs and activities including VEX robotics teams, Civil Air Patrol, RC Club, Science Olympiad, and other extracurricular programs.
• Athletics Program Interscholastic athletics program teaching life lessons through sports. Student-athletes must maintain academic standards and have MHSAA physical on file.
• Community Service Program Students must complete 100 hours of community service during four years of high school (pro-rated for transfer students) to graduate.
• WMAA Foundation 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that cultivates donors and private philanthropy to fund educational extras beyond the per-pupil stipend, including airplanes, flight instruction, Build a Plane, and teacher development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can earn a portable private pilot license credential by completing junior-level UAS course
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey industry partner providing mentorship, potential internships, and connection to aviation industry career pathways for students.
• Delta Air LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor airline partner supporting aviation education and providing industry connections for student career exploration.
• Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technology and Entrepreneurship (FLITE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFLITE is a collaborative initiative at Gerald R. Ford International Airport involving the airport, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Avflight Grand Rapids, Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines, and WMAA. WMAA participates in testing aviation technologies.
• GE AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation industry partner providing mentorship, potential career pathways, and industry expertise for students interested in aerospace careers.
• Grand Valley State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMAA's chartering university. Authorizes WMAA as a public charter school and provides oversight and support for the academy's educational programs.
• GulfstreamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness jet manufacturer partner providing industry connections, mentorship opportunities, and career pathway exploration for students.
• Kent Career Tech CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical education partner offering courses toward Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification for students interested in aviation maintenance careers.
• Michigan Business Aviation FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit foundation supporting aviation education and providing scholarships or resources for WMAA students pursuing aviation careers.
• Western Michigan University College of AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner offering pathway for WMAA students. New partnership announced in 2026 provides five guaranteed admission spots annually for qualified WMAA students to enter WMU's aviation flight science program, addressing pilot shortage.
• Gerald R. Ford International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMAA is located on airport campus. Airport collaborates with WMAA on FLITE grant program for aviation technology testing and provides access to runway and aviation facilities.
• Michigan Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency collaborating on FLITE grant program funding aviation technology innovation at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
• Avflight Grand RapidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBO (Fixed Base Operator) partner in FLITE program collaborating on aviation technology testing initiatives.
• Southwest AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial airline partner participating in FLITE grant program for aviation technology innovation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics: Aviation maintenance technician school offering FAA Airframe & Powerplant certification programs. Comparable to WMAA's Kent Career Tech A&P pathway and aviation maintenance exposure, though at the post-secondary level.
• Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology: Specialized aviation and engineering college near LaGuardia Airport producing pilots, engineers, and aviation technicians. Comparable to WMAA in airport-campus aviation education model and STEM career pathways.
• Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: For-profit aviation and technical school offering pilot, technician, and airframe/powerplant training. Comparable to WMAA in aviation technical training content, though at the post-secondary level and tuition-based.

Direct peers

• BASIS Charter Schools: STEM-intensive public charter school network with rigorous academics and accelerated pathways. Comparable to WMAA as a tuition-free public charter focused on STEM rigor and college preparation, though without aviation specialization.
• Western Michigan University College of Aviation: WMAA's direct university pipeline partner offering aviation flight science degrees. Operates a collegiate aviation program that WMAA graduates feed into, making it the most directly comparable peer in aviation higher education.

Broad incumbents

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The largest U.S. university specializing in aeronautical and STEM education, offering aviation degrees and flight training. Comparable to WMAA as an aviation-credentialing institution, though at the collegiate level rather than high school.
• FlightSafety International: Major commercial aviation training provider operating flight simulators and crew training programs globally. Comparable to WMAA in flight simulation infrastructure and aviation training capability, though serving professional pilots rather than high schoolers.
• ATP Flight School: One of the largest U.S. flight training networks producing airline-bound pilots. Comparable to WMAA in delivering structured flight training, though at a post-secondary level and for a fee-based rather than tuition-free model.
• KIPP Public Schools: Large national charter school network serving underserved students with college-prep focus. Comparable to WMAA as a public charter operator with lottery-based admissions, though serving broader populations rather than aviation-focused.

Others

• Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program: U.S. Air Force-sponsored youth aviation/leadership program offering orientation flights, drone training, and aerospace education. WMAA students participate in Civil Air Patrol, making it a directly comparable youth aviation education channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/102717413096630
• Xx.com/wmaviation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about West Michigan Aviation Academy