High Schools in Casman Alternative Academy

Casman Alternative Academy is the sole high school in the Casman Alternative Academy district, serving grades 7 through 12 in Manistee, MI, with a very small enrollment of just 65 students.

This school faces severe challenges that parents should understand before enrolling their child. Nearly every student (98.46%) comes from an economically disadvantaged background, qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school struggles profoundly with student engagement: 84.7% of students are chronically absent, and the dropout rate is a staggering 42.8%—six times the state average. Only 35.7% of students graduate, compared to the 84.0% state average. Academically, the school ranks in the bottom quartile of Michigan high schools (22nd percentile) with a 1-star rating. PSAT proficiency rates are also low: 9th graders scored 40% proficient in ELA and 10th graders scored 38.46%, both well below state averages of 60.2% and 58% respectively.

Despite these dire statistics, there are some positive signs. The student-teacher ratio is an excellent 12.4:1, allowing for small class sizes and individualized attention. Per-student spending is substantial at $12,594. The school has also shown gradual improvement in its academic ranking, climbing from the 4th percentile in 2014-2015 to the 26th percentile in 2025-2026—a modest but real sign of progress. Interestingly, students who do attend and take the PSAT perform at levels that are low but not catastrophic, suggesting the core problem is not academic ability but rather keeping students consistently present and enrolled. The near-universal poverty rate appears to be the dominant factor driving absenteeism and dropout rates, creating a pipeline where chronic absence leads to falling behind and eventually leaving school. For parents considering this alternative school, it is crucial to understand that the school is fighting a fundamental battle for student presence and engagement, and that socioeconomic factors may overwhelm even the best-intentioned educational efforts.