Marshall Academy

Marshall Academy is a small, alternative public school in Marshall, MI, serving 242 students in grades PK through 12, operating as its own district and serving a predominantly low-income population where over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school tells a story of remarkable recovery in the upper grades, even as early academic metrics raise concerns. While proficiency rates in elementary and middle school subjects lag significantly behind state averages—for example, 3rd-grade math proficiency was just 14.29% compared to the state's 42.9%—the picture transforms dramatically by junior year. In the most recent school year, 11th graders at Marshall Academy exceeded state averages in Science (42.1% vs. 34.9%) and Social Studies (63.2% vs. 42.1%), and nearly matched the state in SAT Reading and Writing. There's also a notable "9th-grade spike" in ELA, where 68.8% of students were proficient, surpassing the state average of 60.2%. The school achieved a perfect 100% graduation rate in the most recent year, though this rate has fluctuated between 66.6% and 100% over the past five years due to small class sizes. Chronic absenteeism remains a challenge at 28.0%, nearly matching the state average but higher than the 17.8% seen at nearby Gull Lake Community Schools.

Compared to other alternative schools in the area, Marshall Academy shows a distinct focus on ensuring students cross the finish line. Its 100% graduation rate far exceeds the 82.8% at Gull Lake Virtual Partnership and the 85.7% at Tekonsha Schools, even though those schools post stronger test scores. The school spends significantly more per student ($11,238 vs. $6,728 at Gull Lake Virtual Partnership) and maintains a lower student-teacher ratio of 14.4, reflecting the additional resources needed to support students who arrive academically behind. For parents considering this school, the data suggests that while early grades may require supplemental support, Marshall Academy demonstrates a genuine strength in engaging older students and guiding them toward successful graduation.