Summary:
St. Johns Public Schools in Michigan operates two high schools serving grades 9-12—St Johns High School and STRIVE Academy—with a combined enrollment of 828 students in a district ranked in the 80th percentile statewide.
St Johns High School is the district’s flagship, serving 790 students with strong outcomes: a 96.8% graduation rate (vs. 84.0% statewide), a 2.0% dropout rate, and chronic absenteeism at just 16.3% compared to the state’s 27.9%. Academically, it excels in literacy—63.6% proficiency in SAT Reading/Writing (state: 52.1%) and 70% in 9th-grade PSAT ELA—but math is a clear weakness, with only 26.6% SAT Math proficiency, essentially matching the state average. The school has earned 4 stars and ranks 182nd of 800 Michigan high schools, though test scores declined across all subjects from 2024-25 to 2025-26 (e.g., science fell from 47.7% to 41.6%). By contrast, STRIVE Academy is a small alternative program with just 38 students, serving a far higher-need population—65.79% qualify for free/reduced lunch versus 21.14% at St Johns High School. Its graduation rate is 69.5% and dropout rate is 13.0%, reflecting its mission to support students who struggled in traditional settings.
For parents, the key takeaway is that these schools serve different purposes. St Johns High School offers a comprehensive, high-performing environment with strong engagement and literacy outcomes, but families should be aware of the math gap and recent score declines. STRIVE Academy provides an alternative pathway for at-risk students, though its per-student spending ($13,677) is actually lower than St Johns High School’s ($15,161), despite the greater needs of its student body. The district overall outperforms state averages in graduation, dropout, and absenteeism, making it a solid choice for most families, but those with students needing intensive math support or alternative education options should investigate both schools’ specific offerings carefully.
Thank you for your feedback!