Summary:
Zip code 48413 in Bad Axe, Michigan, is served by two high schools within the Bad Axe Public Schools district, offering a combined range of grades 7 through 12 for a total enrollment of roughly 373 students.
Bad Axe High School is the district’s traditional comprehensive school and its clear academic standout. It serves grades 7-12 with 336 students and posts a 97.8% graduation rate with zero dropouts—both far better than state averages. The school excels in mathematics across all grade levels, with 7th grade math proficiency at 45.8% (vs. 33.3% statewide) and 10th grade PSAT math at 38.9% (vs. 31.5%). Its chronic absenteeism rate of 16.4% is remarkably low, nearly half the state rate. However, the school shows consistent weaknesses in science and social studies, particularly an 8th grade science proficiency of just 22.4% compared to the 39.2% state average. Test scores also fluctuate dramatically year-to-year—11th grade SAT reading dropped 17.8 points while math jumped 10.9 points—likely reflecting small cohort sizes.
By contrast, Ascent High School serves just 37 students in grades 9-12 as the district’s alternative school, and it faces significant challenges. Its graduation rate is only 73.6%, its dropout rate is 10.5%, and chronic absenteeism affects 42.2% of students—more than 2.5 times the district rate. Over 64% of Ascent students qualify for free or reduced lunch, nearly double the rate at Bad Axe High. Despite spending $1,868 more per student ($18,710 vs. $16,842), Ascent has a worse student-teacher ratio (19:1 vs. 12.2:1), meaning the extra funding does not translate into smaller classes or better outcomes. The district’s 3-star rating masks this stark divide: parents choosing between these schools should expect vastly different environments, with Bad Axe High offering strong academics and high attendance, while Ascent serves higher-need students but struggles with retention and achievement.
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