CA Alternative EdAtlantis

CA Alternative EdAtlantis is a small alternative school in Flint, MI, serving 110 students in grades 6-12 under the Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools district, designed for students who have struggled in traditional school settings.

This school faces significant challenges, but recent data shows some promising momentum. The graduation rate jumped to 59.4% in 2024-2025, a major improvement from just 46.1% the year before and a far cry from the 10.7% rate recorded five years ago. Dropout rates also fell to 18.8%, and chronic absenteeism dropped from 82.1% to 64.2%. While these numbers remain well above state averages (7.1% dropout, 27.9% absenteeism), the simultaneous improvement across all three areas suggests recent changes may be helping students stay engaged. Still, academic proficiency remains very low—only 26.5% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT reading and writing, compared to 52.1% statewide—and the school ranks in the 9th percentile overall.

One of the most striking issues is the student-to-teacher ratio of 34.3:1, which is nearly double that of CarmanAinsworth High School (18.5:1) and more than four times that of Southwestern Classical Academy (16.1:1). The school also spends less per student ($10,125) than other district high schools, despite serving a population where over 90% qualify for free/reduced lunch—students who typically need more support, not less. Compared to other alternative options like WAY Academy Flint Flint Campus (61.1% graduation, 66.6% absenteeism) and The Learning CoOp (7.1% graduation, 78.5% dropout), CA Alternative EdAtlantis is performing in the middle of the pack. For parents considering this school, the recent improvements offer hope, but the high absenteeism and low test scores remain serious concerns that require careful consideration.