Alcona Elementary School

Alcona Elementary School in Harrisville, MI, serves 318 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade and is part of the Alcona Community Schools district, which faces significant economic challenges with 80.5% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Academically, Alcona Elementary is struggling compared to both state averages and nearby schools. In the most recent testing year, 3rd-grade ELA proficiency was just 12.1% versus the state average of 38.2%, and 5th-grade math proficiency was only 9.76%. The school experienced a sharp decline in its statewide ranking, dropping from the 27th percentile to the 10th percentile in just one year. This decline is particularly noticeable when compared to Richardson Elementary School in the Oscoda Area Schools district, which serves a similar percentage of low-income students yet outperforms Alcona by a significant margin in nearly every subject. Even more striking, Sanborn Elementary in Alpena Public Schools achieves proficiency rates that are often double or triple those at Alcona. Despite spending more per student ($17,179) than either of these comparison schools, Alcona's outcomes are notably lower, raising questions about how resources are being used.

There are some positive signs worth noting. Chronic absenteeism has dropped dramatically from 91.2% during the pandemic-affected 2020-2021 school year to 20.9% in 2024-2025, which is now better than both the district and state averages. Additionally, 5th-grade science proficiency in 2024-2025 was 43.5%, actually exceeding the state average of 40.3%, suggesting a potential area of instructional strength. The student-to-teacher ratio of 13.1 is also favorable and lower than nearby schools. While the overall picture shows significant academic challenges, these bright spots indicate areas where the school is making progress and could build momentum for improvement.