Alternative Educational Academy of Iosco County

Alternative Educational Academy of Iosco County in Tawas City, MI, is a small alternative school serving 171 students in grades 6 through 12, with a mission focused on credit recovery and re-engaging students who have struggled in traditional school settings.

This school serves a very different population than nearby traditional high schools, and the data reflects that reality. Over 83% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, compared to 43-62% at nearby schools. The most striking difference is the graduation rate: just 26.4% for the 2024-2025 school year, versus 97.6% at Tawas Area High School and 100% at Oscoda Area High School. The dropout rate is 27.5%, and chronic absenteeism affects 71.7% of students—more than double the state average. Academic proficiency is low across subjects, with 11th-grade social studies at just 19.05% proficiency compared to the state's 43.2%. However, there are some bright spots: 8th-grade English Language Arts scores (61.54%) are close to the state average (64.8%), suggesting the school may be more effective with younger students before disengagement compounds in high school.

It's important to understand that this school functions as a "last chance" option for students who have not succeeded elsewhere. The low graduation rate and high dropout rate reflect the significant challenges these students bring, not a lack of effort by staff. Interestingly, the school's low-income students perform better relative to similar students statewide (34th percentile) than the school's overall ranking suggests. While per-student spending has increased 58% over two years to $12,088, outcomes have not improved, indicating that financial resources alone cannot solve the deep-rooted issues of absenteeism and instability. For parents considering this school, it's essential to recognize that it offers an alternative pathway for students who need a different approach, but the standard metrics of success—like four-year graduation rates—will look very different here than at Au Gres-Sims High School or other area schools.