Average
#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
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
40:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Ascent High School — Students at Ascent High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70%
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 Ascent High School Compares
See how Ascent High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021).
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
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Caro Alternative High School Caro, MI | 5.0 |
| Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc Ludington, MI | 5.1 |
| Carson CityCrystal Virtual Academy Carson City, MI | 4.9 |
| CarsonvillePort Sanilac Learning Center Carsonville, MI | 5.1 |
| Comstock Park Flex Academy Comstock Park, MI | 4.9 |
| Fennville Alternative High School Fennville, MI | 4.9 |
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (989) 269-2737
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bad Axe Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 835
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,614
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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
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