Alanson Public School

Alanson Public School is a small, rural K-12 school in Alanson, MI, serving 223 students across a single-school district, Alanson Public Schools, where over 77% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most striking story here is a dramatic turnaround. After struggling with dropout rates as high as 25% and graduation rates in the mid-70s just a few years ago, the school reported a 0% dropout rate and a remarkable 95.2% graduation rate for the 2024-2025 school year—far exceeding the state average of 84%. This is especially impressive given the high level of economic need among students. It also outperforms nearby alternative schools like Concord Academy Boyne and Concord Academy Petoskey, which both have 75% graduation rates despite serving fewer economically disadvantaged students. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $17,781 per pupil—over $6,500 more than those same Concord Academies—which supports a favorable 11.6:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Academically, Alanson shows a clear and consistent strength in secondary science. In 2025-2026, 62.5% of 8th graders and 50% of 11th graders were proficient in science, compared to state averages of 39.2% and 35.2%, respectively. This outpaces even the larger Cheboygan Intermediate School in those grades. However, performance in English and math is more uneven, with some grades excelling (like 7th-grade ELA at 68.8% proficiency) and others falling below state averages. Chronic absenteeism, while improved from 36.6% to 19.6%, remains a challenge—though it is notably better than the state average (27.9%) and far healthier than COP Education Service District Programs, which struggles with a 53% chronic absenteeism rate. Overall, Alanson appears to be a school on an upward trajectory, successfully guiding a high-need population to graduation while showing particular excellence in science.