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Needs Improvement

#3106 of 3,190 schools in MI

Ackerson High School

High School · Napoleon Community Schools

PO Box 308, Napoleon, MI 49261

Enrollment

83

Student-Teacher

27.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Napoleon

#3 of 4

public schools

Michigan high schools

#791 of 812

In district

#3 of 4

Napoleon Community Schools

About Ackerson High School

Ackerson High School is an alternative high school located in the rural setting of Napoleon, Michigan, within Jackson County. With a total enrollment of 83 students and a student-teacher ratio of 27.7:1, Ackerson offers personalized attention despite its modest size. The school has three full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting students through their final years of education.

Ackerson High School focuses on providing alternative educational opportunities for students who may not thrive in traditional settings. Academic performance metrics indicate areas where the school is working to improve, with a MySchoolScout rating of 1.5 out of 10 and state rankings placing it near the bottom among Michigan schools. ELA proficiency rates stand at 20%, while math proficiency hovers around 10%.

Despite these challenges, Ackerson High School continues to serve its community by offering tailored support and resources for each student. The school is situated in a rural area close to the town of Napoleon, fostering a tight-knit community environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 83 students, Ackerson High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Ackerson High School is 27.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Ackerson High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,670

Ackerson High School — Students at Ackerson High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Ackerson High School Compares

See how Ackerson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
3th percentile in MI
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO Box 308, Napoleon, MI 49261

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ackerson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jackson Preparatory Early College (rated 6.2/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Jackson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vandercook Lake High School (rated 5.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Jackson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbia Alternative Education (rated 5.6/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Clarklake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Napoleon, see our Napoleon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Napoleon Middle School Napoleon 0.2 mi 5.2
Ezra Eby Elementary School Napoleon 0.2 mi 6.7
Napoleon High School Napoleon 0.2 mi 3.0
Columbia Elementary School Brooklyn 3.8 mi 7.2
Columbia Upper Elementary School Brooklyn 3.9 mi 5.3
Columbia Central High School Brooklyn 5.1 mi 5.1
Columbia Alternative Education Clarklake 5.1 mi 5.6
Grass Lake High School Grass Lake 6.1 mi 5.6
George Long Elementary School Grass Lake 6.5 mi 6.5
Keicher Elementary School Michigan Center 6.0 mi 4.0
Grass Lake Middle School Grass Lake 6.6 mi 6.1
Michigan Center JrSr High School Michigan Center 6.2 mi 4.3
Arnold Elementary School Michigan Center 7.1 mi 5.8
East Jackson Secondary School Jackson 8.1 mi 3.9
Townsend Elementary School Jackson 7.3 mi 6.1
East Jackson Elementary Jackson 9.6 mi 5.9
Vandercook Lake High School Jackson 7.7 mi 5.8
Vandercook Lake Virtual Academy Jackson 7.7 mi 5.6
WAY East Jackson Jackson 8.9 mi
Jackson Preparatory Early College Jackson 7.9 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49261 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,063

Median Home Value

$218,800

Population

243

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

63.5%

Poverty Rate

30%

Median Age

27.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ackerson High School has a median household income of $89,063. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,800. The area has a poverty rate of 30.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Berrien Springs Discovery Academy Berrien Sprgs, MI 3.7
VERITAS CHRISTI CATHOLIC H.S. Ann Arbor, MI 3.7
Harper Academy Harper Woods, MI 3.5
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL PREP SCHOOL Ortonville, MI 4.0
Veritas Redford, MI 4.2
Kensington Woods Schools Lakeland, MI 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ackerson High School

What grades does Ackerson High School serve?

Ackerson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ackerson High School?

Ackerson High School has an enrollment of approximately 83 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ackerson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ackerson High School is 27.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ackerson High School rank in MI?

Ackerson High School is ranked #3106 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Ackerson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ackerson High School has a composite rating of 3.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ackerson High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ackerson High School has 10.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ackerson High School a charter school?

No, Ackerson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ackerson High School a Title I school?

No, Ackerson High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ackerson High School?

73.5% of students at Ackerson High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (336/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
83
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Napoleon Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,277
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,593
District Rank
#3 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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