What Waterford School District does

Waterford School District is a Michigan public school district headquartered at 501 N. Cass Lake Road, Waterford Township, Oakland County. The district provides PK-12 public education to students within its geographic attendance boundaries, operating 9 elementary schools (Beaumont, Cooley, Donelson Hills, Grayson, Haviland, Houghton, Knudsen, Riverside, Schoolcraft), 2 middle schools (Mason, Pierce), and 3 high schools (Kettering, Mott, Durant), supplemented by specialized programs including the Waterford STEM Academy, Stepanski Early Childhood Center, Children's Village, Kingsley Montgomery School, and Lifetracks.

The district's service portfolio spans core academics (Career & Technical Education, College & Career Preparation, English Language Development K-12, Junior Kindergarten, Online Learning Services), athletics (football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, bowling, swimming, track, cross country, dance, cheer across all schools), performing arts, and student leadership programs affiliated with MASC/MAHS. Supporting technology infrastructure includes OK2SAY (24-hour student safety tip line), MiStar Parent/Student Portal (grades and attendance), ParentSquare (family communication), and Final Forms (athletic registration). Community-facing assets include the Waterford Teen Health Center, performing arts center, pool and fitness center, and Community Education programming including the Gold Card Program and Sweet Reads Bookmobile.

As a governmental entity under Michigan school district law, Waterford School District is funded primarily through local property taxes (subject to the 2026 Millage Replacement), state education aid, and federal education programs including the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2025-2026 school year. Limited fee-based revenue is generated from athletic admissions ($7 per person per game; Family Pass $175; Student Pass $50), before/after-school child care subscriptions, and facility rentals. The district operates a 2026-2031 Strategic Plan and reports 92% of students pursuing post-secondary education with over $1 million in scholarships awarded annually.

Name

Waterford School District

Legal name

Waterford School District

Website

https://waterford.k12.mi.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Waterford School District is a Michigan public K-12 district serving students in Waterford Township through 14 schools and specialized programs, funded primarily by property taxes, state aid, and federal grants, and offering academics, athletics, free meals, and free preschool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• School district services
• Early childhood education
• STEM academy programs
• Interscholastic athletics

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: Funded primarily through public taxation (millage), state education funding, and federal education programs. Operates under Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) providing free meals to all students.
2. Fee-Based Services: Fees collected for athletic participation, activity fees, child care services, and facility usage by community members.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Waterford School District is a public K-12 school district in Waterford Township, Michigan, providing tuition-free public education from early childhood through grade 12. The district operates 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools, delivering core academic instruction alongside specialized programs including a STEM Academy at the high-school level, early childhood offerings (ECSE, GSRP, Young Fives), community aquatic programming, and competitive athletic programs (Knights and Wolverines). Services are supported by student information systems (MiStar), school-to-home communication (ParentSquare), student registration (Final Forms), and the state safety reporting tool (OK2SAY).

Product overview

Waterford School District is a traditional public school district offering a comprehensive PK-12 educational program. The district provides core educational services through multiple schools (9 elementary, 2 middle, 3 high schools, and specialized programs) encompassing academic programs, athletics, performing arts, student leadership, and community services. Key programs include Waterford STEM Academy (project-based STEM education), Stepanski Early Childhood Center (free preschool), Athletics Programs (competitive sports across multiple levels), Student Council & Leadership Programs (MASC/MAHS membership), Food & Nutrition Services (universal free meals via CEP), and community support services including the Waterford Teen Health Center, Child Care, and Community Education. The district is a member of the Lakes Valley Conference for athletics and the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS) for leadership programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Waterford STEM Academy: A specialized school program engaging students in real-world, project-based learning experiences integrating science and math curriculum using non-traditional methods.
• Stepanski Early Childhood Center
• Children's Village School
• Kingsley Montgomery School
• Lifetracks

Products and services

• Elementary School Education

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of students pursue post-secondary education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lakes Valley ConferencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthletic conference membership providing competitive athletic opportunities. District high schools compete against member schools in various sports throughout the academic year.
• MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState athletic governing body that establishes rules, regulations, and tournament structures for high school athletics in Michigan.
• MASC/MAHS (Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState organization providing student leadership development, conferences, training, and recognition programs. Waterford Kettering is a Center 12 member and has won multiple state awards including consecutive Award of Excellence recognition.
• NCAA Eligibility CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization that certifies academic eligibility for college-bound student athletes participating in NCAA Division I and II athletics.
• Waterford Foundation for Public EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit foundation supporting district schools through fundraising, Teacher of the Year program, and educational initiatives for the Waterford school community.
• Oakland Activities AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional leadership organization and conference partnership for student activities and leadership programs.
• USDA Child Nutrition ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal nutrition programs providing free meals to all district students through Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Summer EBT programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• K12 Inc (Stride): National online and blended learning operator offering K-12 curriculum, instruction, and support services; comparable as a competitor for online-learning and alternative-pathway students that public districts like Waterford address through Online Learning Services.

Others

• PowerSchool: Leading K-12 student information system vendor whose platforms underpin grade, attendance, and enrollment management for districts including Waterford's MiStar portal; relevant as enabling infrastructure rather than a direct competitor.
• ParentSquare: School-family communication platform actively deployed by Waterford and broadly across U.S. K-12 districts; relevant as the enabling technology layer for parent engagement rather than a peer.

Direct peers

• Huron Valley Schools: Adjacent Oakland County K-12 public district serving a comparable suburban footprint with similar athletics, performing arts, and CTE programs; competes directly for Schools of Choice pupils.
• Rochester Community School District: High-performing Oakland County K-12 district offering a similarly comprehensive academic, athletic, and specialized-program portfolio; sets the upper benchmark for post-secondary outcomes against which Waterford is measured.
• Bloomfield Hills School District: Oakland County K-12 public district with similar academic, athletic, and specialized-program offerings; targets a comparable demographic and competes for Schools of Choice and resident enrollment.
• Walled Lake Consolidated Schools: Adjacent Oakland County K-12 public school district operating multiple elementary, middle, and high schools with comparable athletics and programs; competes with Waterford for Schools of Choice enrollment and shared labor pool.
• Clarkston Community School District: Neighboring Oakland County K-12 public district with a comparable suburban profile, athletic conference participation, and program mix; directly competes for enrollment and talent in the same labor and real-estate market.
• Pontiac School District: Adjacent Oakland County K-12 public district operating under similar Michigan state-aid structures; comparable in governance and funding mechanics, though distinct in demographic profile.

Regional players

• Holly Area Schools: Nearby Michigan K-12 public district operating in the same regional athletics conference and overlapping county footprint; comparable operating model though serving a more rural-adjacent community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wsdnews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgUaP9Tb--umZJFdUrCOoMA
• Facebookfacebook.com/wsdnews
• Instagraminstagram.com/wsdnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterford-school-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Waterford School District