Copper Island Academy

Copper Island Academy in Calumet, MI, is a public alternative school serving 386 students in grades K-10, operating as a single-school district in a moderate-income community on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

If your child is a strong reader, this school deserves a close look. Copper Island Academy posts exceptional English Language Arts (ELA) scores that consistently outpace state averages by 20-30 percentage points. For example, 7th-grade ELA proficiency hit 72.2% in the most recent testing year, compared to just 20% at Chassell K12 School, 24% at Lake LindenHubbell Schools, and 16% at Dollar BayTamarack City Area K12 School. The school also shines in 8th-grade science (61.1% proficient vs. 39.2% statewide) and social studies (58.3% vs. 50.3% statewide). What makes these results even more remarkable is the cost: Copper Island spends just $10,637 per student, far less than neighboring districts that spend between $13,412 and $16,129 per pupil.

However, there's a significant catch. While literacy skills are exceptional, math performance is inconsistent and often lags behind. In 5th grade, only 25% of students were proficient in math (state average: 32.2%), and by 10th grade, PSAT math proficiency drops to just 19.05% (state: 31.5%). This dramatic decline from a strong 52.8% proficiency in 8th grade suggests students struggle to build on foundational skills as they advance. Additionally, chronic absenteeism runs at 22.8%—better than the state's 27.9% but volatile year-to-year, swinging from 14% to 28% in recent years. For parents, this school offers a clear picture: exceptional literacy instruction and efficient spending, but math support and consistent attendance may require extra attention at home.