Meryl S Colt Early Childhood Education Center

Located at 4344 W MICHIGAN AVE, in LANSING, Michigan, Meryl S Colt Early Childhood Education Center is a modestly sized elementary campus that serves 184 students (grades pre-K through K), operated by Waverly Community Schools. Enrollment runs roughly 50% below the state mean of about 369.

Across the 6 schools in Waverly Community Schools (2,822 students total), Meryl S Colt Early Childhood Education Center accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Meryl S Colt Early Childhood Education Center records that 28% of students identify as Black, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. Other groups include 25% Hispanic, 21% multiracial, 19% White, 7% Asian. By comparison, Eaton County as a whole is about 7% Black, so the school skews noticeably more Black than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 22 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 8.3:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 15.8:1, putting Meryl S Colt Early Childhood Education Center tighter than the state norm the norm. An estimated 74% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. Set against Eaton County (around 42%), the school's rate is noticeably above typical.

Around the school, Eaton County reports that median household earnings sit near $79,597, roughly 31% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Eaton County runs 47 public schools (combined enrollment of about 17,025 students), of which Meryl S Colt Early Childhood Education Center is one.

Nearest neighbor: Waverly Senior High School, around 0.6 miles off. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

Geographically, the school is in a commuter-belt area.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count shrank 16%: 219 students in 2018 compared to 184 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 34% to 19% across the same window. The student-to-teacher ratio narrowed from 15.5:1 in 2018 to 8.3:1 today.

Within the allk12 community for this school, posts here usually surface around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.