Summary:
Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County is a single public alternative school in West Branch, MI, serving grades 6 through 12 with 128 students and operating within its own Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County district.
This school serves a high-needs population, with 77% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The most pressing concern is the graduation rate, which sits at just 27.5% compared to the state average of 84%. Dropout rates are also extremely high at 32.5%, nearly 4.5 times the state figure. Chronic absenteeism affects 62.1% of students, more than double the state average of 27.9%, and this likely drives much of the academic struggle. Proficiency gaps are stark: 10th-grade ELA proficiency is 22.9% versus 58% statewide, and 9th-grade ELA is 19.23% versus 60.2%. Science and social studies scores for 11th graders are closer to state averages but still lag, with 30% proficiency in both subjects compared to 35.2% and 42.1% respectively. The school spends $13,092 per student, yet maintains a high student-to-teacher ratio of 26.2, suggesting funds may not be directed toward reducing class sizes or providing intensive support.
One notable bright spot is 8th-grade ELA PSAT performance, where 63.64% of students scored proficient—nearly matching the state average of 64.8%. However, this drops dramatically to 19.23% by 9th grade, indicating a serious transition problem. This suggests students can achieve at state levels in middle school, but the high school environment is not sustaining that success. The school’s state ranking has declined slightly from the 17th to 13th percentile over recent years. For parents, this data points to a school facing severe systemic challenges around attendance and retention, but also one where early academic potential exists. The critical need is for targeted interventions at the 9th-grade transition to prevent disengagement and improve outcomes for this vulnerable student population.
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