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#2223 of 3,190 schools in MI

Cambridge Alternative High School

High School · Garden City Public Schools

28901 CAMBRIDGE ST, Garden City, MI 48135

Enrollment

314

Student-Teacher

26.2:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garden City

#3 of 6

public schools

Michigan high schools

#520 of 812

In district

#5 of 8

Garden City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Cambridge Alternative High School

Cambridge Alternative High School in Garden City, Michigan is a unique educational setting for students in grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of 314 students and a student-teacher ratio of 26.2:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention despite its larger size. The school's alternative approach focuses on offering flexible learning options tailored to each student’s needs.

Cambridge Alternative High School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks at #2839 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it around the 11th percentile statewide. The academic score is 1.6 out of 10, with only 11% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 6% proficiency in Math across all grades. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on further development to support student success.

Located in a large suburban area, Cambridge Alternative High School serves students who benefit from an alternative high school environment that provides additional support and flexibility. The setting offers both urban proximity and access to broader community resources, making it a unique blend of neighborhood connections and wider educational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Cambridge Alternative 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 Cambridge Alternative High School is 26.2:1, 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 Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,525

Cambridge Alternative High School — Students at Cambridge Alternative High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 6.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
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: 9.1/10.

How Cambridge Alternative High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in MI
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

28901 CAMBRIDGE ST, Garden City, MI 48135

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cambridge Alternative High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Franklin High School (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Livonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garden City High School (rated 5.5/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garden City, see our Garden City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Garden City High School Garden City 0.1 mi 5.5
Douglas Elementary 34 Campus Garden City 0.3 mi 4.3
Cooper Upper Elementary School Westland 1.1 mi 5.9
DREAMY ISLAMIC ACADEMY Dearborn Heights 0.9 mi 7.2
Lathers Early Childhood and Kindergarten Center Garden City 1.3 mi 8.1
Tipton Academy PK3 Garden City 1.2 mi 4.6
Memorial Elementary 12 Campus Garden City 1.3 mi 8.0
Hayes Elementary School Westland 1.2 mi 8.7
Tipton Academy 48 Garden City 1.5 mi 5.0
Universal Learning Academy Westland 1.4 mi 3.7
American Montessori Academy Upper Elementary Westland 1.4 mi 4.8
David Hicks School Inkster 1.8 mi 6.1
Cleveland Elementary School Livonia 1.8 mi 7.5
Franklin High School Livonia 1.7 mi 6.8
Emerson Middle School Livonia 1.9 mi 4.6
American International Academy Elementary Westland 2.0 mi 6.1
Westfield Charter Academy Redford 2.0 mi 6.8
Kinloch Elementary School Dearborn Heights 1.8 mi 8.3
Inkster Preparatory Academy Inkster 2.1 mi 2.2
DEARBORN HEIGHTS MONTESSORI CENTER Dearborn Heights 2.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48135 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,396

Median Home Value

$162,400

Median Rent

$991/mo

Population

26,910

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

79.2%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cambridge Alternative High School has a median household income of $64,396. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,400, with a median rent of $991/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Boyne City High School Boyne City, MI 5.5
Coleman JuniorSenior High School Coleman, MI 5.5
Harrison Community High School Harrison, MI 5.5
Henry Ford Early College Dearborn, MI 5.5
Invest Roosevelt Alternative High School Hazel Park, MI 5.5
Lakeview High School Lakeview, MI 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cambridge Alternative High School

What grades does Cambridge Alternative High School serve?

Cambridge Alternative High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cambridge Alternative High School?

Cambridge Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cambridge Alternative High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cambridge Alternative High School is 26.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cambridge Alternative High School rank in MI?

Cambridge Alternative High School is ranked #2223 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Cambridge Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cambridge Alternative High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Cambridge Alternative High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cambridge Alternative High School has 6.3% math proficiency and 11.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cambridge Alternative High School a charter school?

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

Is Cambridge Alternative High School a Title I school?

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

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

79.3% of students at Cambridge Alternative 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
Elevated (1,054/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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