Summary:
Zip code 49042 in Constantine, MI is home to two high schools within the Constantine Public School District: Constantine High School, a traditional 9-12 program with 348 students, and Constantine Alternative Education, a 6-12 program serving 104 students.
These two schools offer vastly different experiences and outcomes. Constantine High School is the clear academic leader, boasting a strong 95.4% graduation rate and a low 3.4% dropout rate, both far better than state averages. While its test scores are generally below state proficiency levels—particularly in math, where only 11.8% of students are proficient on the SAT—the school shows positive trends in science and social studies. In contrast, Constantine Alternative Education is in crisis, with a 45.4% graduation rate, a 22.7% dropout rate, and a staggering 92.7% chronic absenteeism rate. This alternative school also serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (59.6% free/reduced lunch) yet receives significantly less funding per student ($8,286 vs. $15,168 at the traditional high school), raising serious equity concerns.
For parents, the choice is stark. Constantine High School provides a stable, traditional environment with strong graduation outcomes, though families should be aware of the district-wide weakness in math proficiency. The alternative school, with its extremely high student-to-teacher ratio and lack of recent performance data, appears to offer minimal direct support and is struggling profoundly. The district's overall "middle of the pack" ranking masks these extreme disparities, so it is crucial to look beyond the district-level data. While Constantine High School demonstrates effective leadership and positive momentum, the alternative program requires immediate attention to address its attendance crisis and resource gaps to provide equitable opportunities for all students.
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