Average
#2370 of 3,192 schools in MI
Columbia Alternative Education
High School · Columbia School District · Clarklake, MI
A high school in Clarklake, MI where students score 10 points below what's typical for similar communities.
4460 NORTH LAKE RD, Clarklake, MI 49234
- Math 25% proficient (2021)
- Reading 25% proficient (2021)
- 30.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Columbia Alternative Education score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
2021 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MI average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency has held near 25% across the 13-year record (2009–2021).
Show all 10 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 20% (multi-year average, 2009-2021) · reading/ELA 22% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 20 test records from MI state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
63.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Columbia Alternative Education sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 7Car-Dependent
- Bike 26Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average336/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$113,333
Median home value
$280,800
Median rent
$1,166/mo
College educated
35%
Homeownership
91.5%
Poverty rate
4.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 49234; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
2 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Central High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.7 | 7–12 | 3.6 mi | 624 | Compare → |
| Jackson Preparatory Early CollegeCharter · enrollment unverified | 6.8 | 6–12 | 4.4 mi | 277 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Columbia School District
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #3 of 4
- District spending per student
- $13,987NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 8.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
Columbia Alternative Education is listed in Columbia School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Columbia Alternative Education
Columbia Alternative Education is a public high school in Clarklake, MI, part of Columbia School District, serving approximately 85 students in grades 6th-12th with a 28.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,370 of 3,192 schools in MI. State assessment records show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Columbia Alternative Education
What grades does Columbia Alternative Education serve?
Columbia Alternative Education serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Columbia Alternative Education?
Columbia Alternative Education has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Alternative Education?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Alternative Education is 28.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Alternative Education rank in MI?
Columbia Alternative Education ranks #2,370 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Columbia Alternative Education's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Alternative Education has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Columbia Alternative Education?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Alternative Education has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
Is Columbia Alternative Education a charter school?
No, Columbia Alternative Education is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Alternative Education a Title I school?
No, Columbia Alternative Education is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Alternative Education?
63.5% of students at Columbia Alternative Education qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 85
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.9%
- Phone
- (517) 529-9400
- 4-Year Graduation
- 30.0%
- Area population (ZIP 49234)
- 2,480
- Area median age
- 53.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 49234; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2021; directory SY 2023–24
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