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Michigan's Students at National Heritage Academies Excel

In a time when Michigan's educational landscape is overshadowed by challenges, a recent report sheds light on the remarkable success of students enrolled in National Heritage Academies (NHA). Despite Michigan being ranked 45th in terms of overall student achievement by U.S. News & World Report, NHA's eighth-graders shine with stellar academic performance that paints a different picture.

According to an independent analysis conducted by Basis Policy Research, NHA students rank 4th in reading and 10th in math on a national scale, significantly outperforming the state average. This stark discrepancy highlights the effectiveness of NHA’s rigorous educational approach and commitment to fostering student achievement. Nick Sheltrown, President and Chief Learning Officer of NHA, emphasizes, “We believe every student is capable of achieving at a high level. These outstanding results reflect what our educators see daily—when students are challenged, supported, and believe in their own potential, extraordinary achievements follow.”

Supporting this commendable performance are findings from Stanford University’s Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (CREDO), which reported that NHA students gain an impressive 69 additional days of learning in math and 46 in reading compared to their peers in traditional public schools. This data further underscores the positive impact of NHA’s innovative teaching strategies.

The foundation of NHA’s success lies in its comprehensive curriculum that combines academic rigor with essential character-building components through its Moral Focus™ program. A recent survey indicated that 85% of parents recognize the program as having a beneficial impact on their children, reinforcing the importance of holistic education.

NHA's commitment to academic excellence is evident as seven of its partner schools have been designated as National Blue Ribbon Schools, a prestigious recognition awarded for outstanding academic performance. Among these is Pembroke Academy, a shining star in NHA’s network. Additionally, Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy gained recognition from the Michigan Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School in 2025. In recent years, NHA's schools have consistently dominated the rankings, with ten partner schools featured in the Top 10 of the U.S. News & World Report's list of Michigan's Best Charter Elementary and Middle Schools.

Exemplary institutions like Eagle Crest Charter Academy and Windemere Park Charter Academy are lauded for their dedicated efforts to bridge achievement gaps. As Sheltrown aptly puts it, “Our goal is not to simply outperform the average. Our responsibility is to help every student reach their potential. These results show that Michigan students can compete with students anywhere in the country, regardless of their background or ZIP code.”

NHA's focused approach is further illustrated in its data analysis by Basis Policy Research, which posed a critical question: If NHA's partner schools in Michigan functioned as their own state, how would their student achievement compare nationally? The analysis focused specifically on eighth-grade students, as they are evaluated on the same tests, allowing for an accurate comparison.

Founded in 1995, National Heritage Academies operates with a deep commitment to delivering education that emphasizes both academic knowledge and character development. Currently, NHA supports 105 tuition-free partner schools across nine states, catering to over 65,000 K-12 students. In addition to their traditional offerings, NHA also provides flexible online K-12 learning options in Michigan and North Carolina.

The ongoing narrative of NHA students exemplifies that with the right support, quality instruction, and a focus on character, academic success is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality for students in Michigan, regardless of the broader challenges faced by the state.

To learn more about the NHA schools and find one near you, visit the NHA School Finder.