Average
#2309 of 3,190 schools in MI
Advantage Alternative Program
School · Hazel Park School District of the City of
1620 EAST ELZA AVE, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher
31.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher
31.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hazel Park
#6 of 9
public schools
Michigan schools
#228 of 279
In district
#9 of 11
Hazel Park School District of the City of
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Advantage Alternative Program
Advantage Alternative Program is a unique educational option located in Hazel Park, Michigan. Serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the school offers an alternative learning environment to meet diverse needs. With an enrollment of 190 students and a student-teacher ratio of 31.7:1, Advantage focuses on personalized attention despite its larger class sizes.
The school has six full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering student development. Advantage Alternative Program’s academic performance is currently lower compared to other schools in Michigan, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 1.6 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 8% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Located in a large suburban area, Advantage Alternative Program is situated amidst a community that values diverse educational opportunities. The setting provides both urban conveniences and suburban comforts, offering students a well-rounded environment for learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 190 students, Advantage Alternative Program 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.
While current test scores at Advantage Alternative Program are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Advantage Alternative Program is 31.7:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Advantage Alternative Program — Students at Advantage Alternative Program score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.2/10.
How Advantage Alternative Program Compares
See how Advantage Alternative Program performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
1620 EAST ELZA AVE, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Advantage Alternative Program may also want to explore other schools in the area. Jardon Vocational School (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Ferndale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (rated 4.0/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hazel Park, see our Hazel Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,878
Median Home Value
$141,200
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
14,945
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
61.6%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Advantage Alternative Program has a median household income of $62,878. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,200, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wesley School Muskegon, MI | 5.3 |
| Tekonsha Schools Tekonsha, MI | 5.2 |
| ST MARY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Gaylord, MI | 5.7 |
| Bangor Township Virtual School Bay City, MI | 5.8 |
| NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Bain, MI | 5.8 |
| PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids, MI | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Advantage Alternative Program
What grades does Advantage Alternative Program serve?
Advantage Alternative Program serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Advantage Alternative Program?
Advantage Alternative Program has an enrollment of approximately 190 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Advantage Alternative Program?
The student-teacher ratio at Advantage Alternative Program is 31.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Advantage Alternative Program rank in MI?
Advantage Alternative Program is ranked #2309 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Advantage Alternative Program's MySchoolScout rating?
Advantage Alternative Program has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Advantage Alternative Program?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Advantage Alternative Program has 7.5% math proficiency and 12.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Advantage Alternative Program a charter school?
No, Advantage Alternative Program is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Advantage Alternative Program a Title I school?
No, Advantage Alternative Program is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Advantage Alternative Program?
91.1% of students at Advantage Alternative Program qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,876/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hazel Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 190
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 31.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Oakland County
- Phone
- (248) 658-5280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hazel Park School District of the City of- District Enrollment
- 2,910
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,812
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.