Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Michigan rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

UCS Alternative Learning Center

Q: Is UCS Alternative Learning Center a good school?

UCS Alternative Learning Center ranks in the bottom 2.8% of Michigan high schools.

Q: How many students attend UCS Alternative Learning Center?

In the 2024-25 school year, 245 students attended UCS Alternative Learning Center.

Q: What is the racial makeup of UCS Alternative Learning Center?

Students at UCS Alternative Learning Center are 70% White, 14% African American, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Public Grades 9-12

778^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 800 Michigan High Schools

Better than 3% of Michigan high schools

Summary

UCS Alternative Learning Center is a small public high school in Sterling Heights, MI, serving 245 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Utica Community Schools district.

This school serves a very different purpose than the large traditional high schools nearby. It's an alternative program designed for students who have struggled in a conventional school setting, and that mission shows clearly in the numbers. About 71% of students come from low-income households, which is roughly double the rate at nearby Utica High School. Academic proficiency rates are dramatically lower than surrounding schools—for example, only 9.5% of 11th graders were proficient in SAT reading and writing, compared to 64% at Utica High and 61% at Henry Ford II High School. Chronic absenteeism is a major challenge, with 64.2% of students missing significant school time, more than triple the district average of 18.5%. These factors help explain why state rankings place this school in the bottom 3% of Michigan high schools.

Despite the low overall metrics, there are meaningful signs of progress. The four-year graduation rate has climbed steadily from 39.7% in 2020-2021 to 72.4% in 2024-2025—still below the state average of 84%, but a substantial improvement. The school also compares favorably to Warren Consolidated Community High School, a similar alternative program just three miles away. UCS Alternative has a higher graduation rate (72.4% vs. 64.9%) and a much lower chronic absenteeism rate (64.2% vs. 88.2%). The school invests heavily in its students, spending $20,571 per pupil—about 40% more than the traditional high schools in its own district. For parents considering this option, it's important to understand that this is not a typical high school experience, but rather a specialized environment where the focus is on helping at-risk students get back on track toward a diploma.

245

Students ?

18.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,571

Per pupil spending ?

71%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7600 18 Mile Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48314-4239

(586) 797-7000

District: Utica Community Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.2%

African American:

14.3%

Hispanic:

7.3%

See top rated Michigan high schools

Compare UCS Alternative Learning Center to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 18th percentile in 2018 → 3rd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (10% vs 41% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (3rd percentile)

!Graduation rate below the Michigan average (72% vs 84%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school10%

District avg48%

Michigan avg41%

778^th of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Bottom 3%▼ down 15 pts since 2018

From bottom 18% (2018) to bottom 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5High Schools in the Utica Community Schools

177^th of 625Utica Community Schools among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	4.2	778 of 800	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.1	711 of 735	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	12.0	678 of 824	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	10.9	97 of 102	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	4.4	667 of 710	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	6.3	688 of 719	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.6	643 of 755	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	3.6	679 of 693	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.4	594 of 707	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	1.7	668 of 671	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.2	629 of 647	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.2	630 of 708	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2018)6th percentile-12 vs school

English Language Learner (2018)5th percentile-13 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)4th percentile~ school

Male (2026)2nd percentile~ school

White (2026)<1st percentile~ school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts17%-41 vs state

Social Studies10%-34 vs state

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing10%-43 vs state

Science8%-27 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate UCS Alternative Learning Center

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, February 8, 2019

My son Jason Hobert went there he graduated with honor. Close Quote

Schools Near UCS Alternative Learning Center

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)		PSAT Mathematics (2026)		SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
UCS Alternative Learning Center	Public	9-12	7600 18 Mile Rd	Sterling Heights	48314	Macomb County	Utica Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 797-7000	245	13	18.3	71.0%	172 (70.2%)	35 (14.3%)	18 (7.3%)	4 (1.6%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.1%)	4.2	778^th of 800 public high schools	2.8%					(n/a)		16.7		330.6	9.5	347.0	7.9	9.7	$20,571	$661	$19,910
Adlai Stevenson High School	Public	9-12	39701 Dodge Park Rd	Sterling Heights	48313	Macomb County	Utica Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 797-1900	1,881	105	17.9	54.4%	1,384 (73.6%)	159 (8.5%)	75 (4.0%)	187 (9.9%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	72 (3.8%)	56.8	295^th of 800 public high schools	63.1%		67.8	197^th of 739 public high schools	73.3%	98	80.7	60.6	45.8	37.3	59.0	37.9	21.7	28.4	$15,004	$752	$14,251
Henry Ford II High School	Public	9-12	11911 Clinton River Rd	Sterling Heights	48313	Macomb County	Utica Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 797-1600	1,663	83	19.9	40.5%	1,296 (77.9%)	121 (7.3%)	75 (4.5%)	102 (6.1%)	2 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	66 (4.0%)	71.1	177^th of 800 public high schools	77.9%		77.9	130^th of 739 public high schools	82.4%	47	66.9	70.0	39.6	40.7	61.0	34.9	35.1	50.8	$13,426	$761	$12,666
Joan C Sergent Instructional Resource Center	Public	9-12	14200 Canal Rd	Sterling Heights	48313	Macomb County	Utica Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 797-6800	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Warren Consolidated Community High School	Public	9-12	35201 Davison St	Sterling Heights	48310	Macomb County	Warren Consolidated Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 825-2900	103	12	8.3	76.7%	47 (45.6%)	34 (33.0%)	3 (2.9%)	12 (11.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (6.8%)								(n/a)					375.1	351.2	2065.8	5.9	$31,208	$1,515	$29,693
Utica High School	Public	9-12	47255 Shelby Rd	Utica	48317	Macomb County	Utica Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 797-2200	1,391	77	17.9	36.9%	1,113 (80.0%)	88 (6.3%)	80 (5.8%)	69 (5.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	39 (2.8%)	72.6	161^st of 800 public high schools	79.9%		74.4	156^th of 739 public high schools	78.9%	5	90.5	67.2	48.6	39.1	64.0	38.4	31.9	53.0	$13,642	$670	$12,972
Sterling Heights Senior High School	Public	9-12	12901 15 Mile Rd	Sterling Heights	48312	Macomb County	Warren Consolidated Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(586) 698-4249	1,262	67	18.7	74.7%	861 (68.2%)	170 (13.5%)	23 (1.8%)	152 (12.0%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (4.2%)	34.9	497^th of 800 public high schools	37.9%		36	468^th of 739 public high schools	36.7%	29	64.4	50.0	23.3	17.6	48.3	16.1	16.7	22.3	$17,638	$787	$16,851
Career Preparation Center	Public	10-12	12200 15 Mile Rd	Sterling Heights	48312	Macomb County	Warren Consolidated Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 698-4172	0	17	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Athens High School	Public	9-12	4333 John R Rd	Troy	48085	Oakland County	Troy School District	No	No	No	No	(248) 823-2900	1,468	81	18.1	16.4%	904 (61.6%)	92 (6.3%)	85 (5.8%)	324 (22.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.3%)	59 (4.0%)	90.6	53^rd of 800 public high schools	93.4%		83.4	87^th of 739 public high schools	88.2%	34	76.7	73.3	59.7	53.1	77.7	59.1	53.5	58.8	$16,837	$507	$16,329
Macomb Academy	Public, Charter	12	39092 Garfield Rd	Clinton Township	48038	Macomb County	Macomb Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(586) 228-2201	46	3	15.3	26.1%	22 (47.8%)	18 (39.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (6.5%)								(n/a)									$11,084	$467	$10,618

Frequently Asked Questions about UCS Alternative Learning Center

How many students attend UCS Alternative Learning Center?

In the 2024-25 school year, 245 students attended UCS Alternative Learning Center.

What is the racial makeup of UCS Alternative Learning Center?

Students at UCS Alternative Learning Center are 70% White, 14% African American, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is UCS Alternative Learning Center a good school?

UCS Alternative Learning Center ranks in the bottom 2.8% of Michigan high schools.

What district is UCS Alternative Learning Center in?

Utica Community Schools

Rate UCS Alternative Learning Center!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MIMichigan High School Rankings

MIMichigan District Rankings

Schools in Sterling Heights, MI

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for UCS Alternative Learning Center!

Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.