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#2551 of 3,190 schools in MI

Ascent High School

High School · Bad Axe Public Schools

200 NORTH BARRIE RD, Bad Axe, MI 48413

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

40:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bad Axe

#5 of 6

public schools

Michigan high schools

#618 of 812

In district

#3 of 4

Bad Axe Public Schools

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Ascent High School

Ascent High School is an alternative high school located in the rural setting of Bad Axe, Michigan. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, Ascent has a small enrollment of just 40 students and a student-teacher ratio of 40:1, with one full-time equivalent teacher providing support and guidance to each student. The school focuses on offering individualized education for its diverse group of learners in a remote rural area.

Academically, Ascent High School is rated at the lower end compared to other schools in Michigan, reflecting areas where growth can be pursued. On MySchoolScout’s rating system, it scores 2.7 out of 10 overall and ranks 3003 out of 3204 schools statewide, placing it near the bottom percentile for academic performance. Students at Ascent typically score around 10% proficiency in both English Language Arts and Math, indicating room for improvement.

Despite its current challenges, Ascent High School provides a unique setting where small class sizes allow for personalized attention to help students navigate their educational journey. The school is situated in a remote rural area with limited neighborhood information available, offering a calm environment conducive to focused learning.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Ascent 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.

While current test scores at Ascent High School 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 Ascent High School is 40:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-20.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio40:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,755

Ascent High School — Students at Ascent High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

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

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
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: 8.2/10.

How Ascent High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in MI
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
40:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

Location

200 NORTH BARRIE RD, Bad Axe, MI 48413

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ascent High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OwendaleGagetown JrSr High School (rated 8.0/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Owendale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ubly Community JrSr High School (rated 7.4/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Ubly), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Laker High School (rated 6.4/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Pigeon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bad Axe, see our Bad Axe schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Bad Axe Middle School Bad Axe 0.1 mi 6.8
Bad Axe Elementary School Bad Axe 0.1 mi 6.9
Bad Axe High School Bad Axe 0.3 mi 4.4
Huron Learning Center Bad Axe 1.4 mi 5.9
Big Burning School Bad Axe 2.4 mi
Church School Bad Axe 5.5 mi
Ubly Community Elementary School Ubly 7.6 mi 8.7
Ubly Community JrSr High School Ubly 7.6 mi 7.4
Verona Mills School Bad Axe 6.5 mi
North Huron School Kinde 9.4 mi 7.3
Adams Elementary School Bad Axe 8.2 mi 8.5
Laker High School Pigeon 10.8 mi 6.4
Laker Middle School Pigeon 10.8 mi 5.2
Laker Elementary Pigeon 11.0 mi 8.6
Eccles School Harbor Beach 11.3 mi
Cass City Jr and Sr High School Cass City 15.6 mi 4.6
Cass City Elementary Cass City 15.8 mi 6.8
CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pigeon 13.1 mi 4.3
OwendaleGagetown Elementary School Owendale 13.6 mi 8.5
OwendaleGagetown JrSr High School Owendale 13.6 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48413 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,804

Median Home Value

$143,400

Median Rent

$731/mo

Population

7,404

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ascent High School has a median household income of $56,804. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,400, with a median rent of $731/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ascent High School

What grades does Ascent High School serve?

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

How many students attend Ascent High School?

Ascent High School has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ascent High School is 40:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ascent High School rank in MI?

Ascent High School is ranked #2551 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Ascent High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ascent High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Ascent High School?

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

Is Ascent High School a charter school?

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

Is Ascent High School a Title I school?

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

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

70.0% of students at Ascent 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

City Safety
High (1,756/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bad Axe). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
40:1
Teachers (FTE)
1
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Huron County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bad Axe Public Schools
District Enrollment
835
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,614
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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