Big Rapids Virtual School

Big Rapids Virtual School is a small, K-12 alternative public school in Big Rapids, MI, serving 115 students within the Big Rapids Public Schools district, where over 70% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most pressing concern for parents is the school's crisis-level student retention. The 4-year graduation rate sits at just 25.5% for 2024-2025—less than half the district rate of 70.8% and a third of the state's 84.0%. Meanwhile, the dropout rate has climbed to a staggering 42.5%, more than six times the state average of 7.1%. These numbers have persisted for five years, indicating a systemic challenge rather than a temporary dip. The student-to-teacher ratio is also extreme at 115:1, suggesting a model heavily reliant on self-paced online learning with minimal direct teacher interaction. This stands in stark contrast to Crossroads Charter Academy, an alternative school just 1.69 miles away, which boasts an 80.9% graduation rate, a 4.7% dropout rate, and a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio—demonstrating that alternative models can achieve far better outcomes for at-risk students.

Despite these retention struggles, there are surprising pockets of academic success for students who remain and take assessments. In 2025-2026, 11th graders posted 50% proficiency in Social Studies and 40% in Science, both above state averages, while 10th graders achieved 63.64% proficiency in English Language Arts on the PSAT, outpacing the state's 58%. Per-student spending has risen to $11,624—now higher than Crossroads' $11,255—yet this increased investment coincides with the school's worst graduation and dropout rates in five years. For parents considering this option, the data suggests a "last chance" model that can produce strong academic results for some, but struggles profoundly to keep students enrolled and on a path to graduation.