Will Carleton Academy is a K-12 tuition-free public charter school in Hillsdale, Michigan founded in 1998. Will Carleton Academy devotes itself to serving the community as a charter school where parents can choose a traditional curriculum and educational atmosphere that is committed to both the intellectual development and the character formation of the students.
Our Mission Is

To Educate
- Back-to-basics curriculum
- K-8th-Core Knowledge Sequence
- 9th-12th: Michigan Merit/College Preparatory Curriculum
- Small classroom sizes at all grade levels
- Emphasis on character education
- Highest-achieving public school in Hillsdale County
- Top 50 SAT scores in the State of Michigan

To Enrich
- Advanced Placement class offerings on demand
- Dual Enrollment, Early/Middle College, and Vocational-Technical Programs
- Extensive extracurricular offerings at all grade levels
- Diverse field trip opportunities, including foreign travel
- MHSAA-sanctioned athletics in all three seasons

To Enlighten
- Orderly, disciplined environment
- Focus on the whole child, with the goal of helping to mold outstanding citizens
- K-12th Art and Music curriculum
- 4th-12th French curriculum
- Monthly Core Virtues instruction
Why Choose a Charter School?
A charter school, by definition, is a school of choice. Because of this, parents play an important role in every part of their child’s education. Our small size allows more one-on-one attention and the ability to tailor our curriculum to meet each child’s educational needs. Our faculty and staff are committed to nurturing the whole child, fostering the safe and respectful environment where learning can best occur.
Want to learn more?
What families are saying about Will Carleton Academy
"Our kids are thriving at WCA, and that is very important to us. Thank you, WCA, for making a great place to educate our kids!"
-Cathy K.
"While I firmly believe our children's development starts at home, I truly feel that WCA is an extension of my home in raising my kids to become good people."
-Rob T.
"My son's learning needs are met with consideration and respect...making him feel supported, encouraged, and empowered."
Jennifer S.
"They welcome parent involvement and always take the time to make sure parents know how their children are doing."
-Lucy B.
"Will Carleton Academy strives for excellence, and they inspire their students to strive for the same."
-Jessica H.
"We love the individualized education and the clear sense that teachers and staff are rooting for students."
-Christina M.
Upcoming Events
Updates
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When you step into Will Carleton Academy, Colleen Vogt will probably be one of the first people you meet. Within minutes of talking to her, you will find that Colleen is passionate and committed to WCA and its community. Over the past 22 years, she has built a tight-knit family within the walls of … Continue reading “At Will Carleton Academy the wonder and joy of learning are contagious.”
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We Are in the Top 78 Michigan Public Schools for SAT Scores
September 23, 2019
The Michigan Department of Education announced its top-performing schools based on SAT scores in 2019. Will Carleton Academy ranked 59th on the list of best SAT scores in Michigan. They were the only public high school in Hillsdale County to exceed the state average, which was 985. Based on the 10 juniors who took the … Continue reading “We Are in the Top 78 Michigan Public Schools for SAT Scores”