Summary:
Leslie Public Schools operates two high schools serving grades 9-12 in Leslie, Michigan, a small community where the district overall holds a 3-star rating. The two schools—Leslie High School (322 students) and Ingham Virtual High School (29 students)—offer vastly different educational experiences and outcomes, making it essential for parents to understand the trade-offs before choosing.
Leslie High School is the clear academic leader, boasting a 96.4% graduation rate—well above the district (86.2%) and state (84.0%)—and a dropout rate of just 2.3%. It recently improved to a 4-star rating. Test scores are competitive: SAT math proficiency (34.4%) exceeds the state average (26.5%), and SAT reading/writing (56.3%) also beats the state (52.1%). However, social studies proficiency (39.7%) trails the state (43.2%), and chronic absenteeism affects 26.5% of students. In contrast, Ingham Virtual High School struggles significantly, with a 35.2% graduation rate and a 23.5% dropout rate. Its student-to-teacher ratio of 170.5:1 (versus 15:1 at Leslie High) and per-student spending of just $5,820 (compared to $14,263) suggest minimal support for a population where 58.6% qualify for free/reduced lunch.
District averages hide these stark disparities. While the district’s 86.2% graduation rate looks acceptable, it masks the virtual school’s poor outcomes. For parents, the choice is clear: Leslie High School provides a traditional, well-resourced environment with strong graduation rates and solid test performance, though math proficiency in lower grades (23-25% in 9th and 10th grade) lags state averages. The virtual school, serving only 8.3% of the district’s high schoolers, appears underfunded and understaffed, raising serious questions about its ability to serve its high-need students. Recent score volatility at Leslie High—including a 9.4-point drop in SAT reading/writing—warrants monitoring, but the school remains the district’s strongest option by a wide margin.
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