ACTech High School

ACTech High School in Ypsilanti, MI, is a public high school serving 459 students in grades 9-12 within the Ypsilanti Community Schools district, and it faces significant academic and engagement challenges that set it apart from nearby schools.

For parents, the most critical takeaway is that ACTech's academic performance is among the lowest in the state. In the most recent school year, the school ranked in the bottom 1% of Michigan high schools, with proficiency rates dramatically below state averages—for example, only 7.7% of students were proficient in SAT Reading/Writing compared to the state average of 52.1%, and just 5.7% were proficient in science versus 35.2% statewide. This struggle is compounded by very high chronic absenteeism (47.6% of students, nearly double the state average) and an elevated dropout rate of 14.5%, more than double the state's 7.1%. Interestingly, the school shares an address with Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College, a program that ranks in the 45th percentile and achieves proficiency rates 5 to 10 times higher—a stark contrast that highlights how different educational models can yield vastly different outcomes even in the same building.

Despite these challenges, there are some positive signs. ACTech's graduation rate has remained relatively stable at 77.6%, which is above the district average and only slightly below the state average, suggesting the school is still helping most students earn a diploma. Additionally, the school spends a substantial $21,124 per student—higher than nearby Arbor Preparatory High School and significantly more than the high-performing Washtenaw Technical Middle College ($9,718)—though this spending has not translated into higher test scores. For parents considering this school, it's important to weigh the stability in graduation rates against the very low academic proficiency and high absenteeism, and to explore alternative options like the specialized middle college programs in the area that show stronger outcomes.