Alpena Public Schools

Alpena Public Schools is a Michigan district serving about 3,553 students across 9 schools—6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools—in a predominantly economically disadvantaged area where free/reduced lunch rates range from 55% to 78.8%.

For parents, the standout elementary option is Hinks Elementary, which ranks in the 61st percentile statewide and posts 4th grade ELA and math proficiency rates (55% and 50%) that are roughly double the district average. Wilson Elementary also shines in 3rd grade (65% math proficiency vs. 42.9% state average) but drops sharply by 5th grade (16.7% ELA), suggesting a possible cohort effect. Besser Elementary shows strong 5th grade ELA (53.8%) and science (59%). At the secondary level, Alpena High School is the clear choice—ranked in the 62nd percentile with science (45.3%) and social studies (58%) proficiency well above state averages, though its SAT math (22.4%) lags. Thunder Bay Junior High struggles with math (23% 8th grade PSAT proficiency vs. 33.2% state) but reaches 60% in ELA. ACES Academy, an alternative high school, ranks in the 5th percentile with a 44.8% graduation rate and 27.5% dropout rate—a serious concern.

The most pressing district-wide issue is chronic absenteeism, averaging 44% versus the state's 27.9%, with Alpena High at a staggering 74.2% and Thunder Bay at 56%. By contrast, Wilson (10.6%), Hinks (13.0%), and Sanborn Elementary (13.9%) keep absenteeism remarkably low. A positive story is Lincoln Elementary, which despite the district's highest poverty rate (78.8%), jumped from the 14th to 40th percentile in two years. Notably, per-student spending shows no correlation with outcomes—Sanborn spends the least ($12,143) yet outperforms higher-spending schools, while ACES spends $16,539 with the worst results. Parents should weigh elementary strengths carefully, but the secondary attendance crisis demands immediate attention.