Insight School of Michigan

Insight School of Michigan is a public, fully online virtual high school in Lansing, MI, serving 862 students in grades 9-12, with a mission focused on students who have not succeeded in traditional school settings.

This school faces significant challenges that parents should understand before enrolling. The graduation rate is just 45.4%, less than half the state average of 84%, and the dropout rate of 25.8% is over three times the state average. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, with 73.2% of students missing substantial school time—nearly triple the state rate. Academic proficiency is also very low: only 2.34% of 10th graders are proficient in math, and just 18.5% of 11th graders meet reading and writing standards on the SAT. These numbers are dramatically lower than nearby traditional high schools like Grand Ledge High School (95% graduation) or Eastern High School (97% graduation). Even JW Sexton High School, which serves a similar at-risk population, reports a 91% graduation rate. The school's state ranking has also declined sharply, falling from the 22nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 5th percentile in 2024-2025.

The data suggests that student engagement is the primary obstacle. The online format, combined with a high student-to-teacher ratio of 22:1, may contribute to students disconnecting from their education. While the school spends a comparable amount per student ($11,857) as successful schools like Grand Ledge ($11,665), the outcomes are vastly different. It's worth noting that Relevant Academy of Eaton County, another alternative program nearby, also struggles with low graduation (16.6%) and high dropout rates (41.6%), suggesting these challenges are common among schools serving students who have left traditional settings. However, Insight's much larger enrollment and higher chronic absenteeism rate indicate that its online model may be particularly difficult for students to stay connected to their studies.