Swan Valley Adult and Alternative Education

Swan Valley Adult and Alternative Education is a small, specialized high school in Saginaw, MI, serving just 29 students in grades 9-12 as a "second chance" option within the otherwise high-performing Swan Valley School District.

This school is designed for students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting, and the data reflects that mission. Nearly 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—a rate more than three times higher than at Swan Valley High School, located just down the road. The biggest challenge is attendance: 50% of students are chronically absent, meaning they miss 10% or more of the school year. That's over four times the district rate and nearly double the state average. Not surprisingly, the graduation rate of 40% is well below the district's 91.5%, though it has improved from 45.4% the previous year. The school also operates with a very high student-to-teacher ratio and spends about $5,589 per student—less than half of what the district's main high school spends.

Despite these challenges, there are encouraging signs. The dropout rate has fallen to 0% in 2024-2025, down from a high of 22.2% a few years ago, meaning the school is keeping students engaged through the end of the year. And for the students who do attend regularly, academic results can be surprisingly strong: on 11th-grade state tests, 30% were proficient in science (close to the state average of 35.2%) and 40% were proficient in social studies—far exceeding other alternative schools in the region like Omni High School and Saginaw United High School. For parents considering this option, it's important to understand that Swan Valley Adult and Alternative Education serves a highly at-risk population with significant obstacles, but it appears to be providing a stabilizing environment where students who might otherwise be lost can find a path forward.