Average
#2513 of 3,190 schools in MI
Douglas R Welch High School
High School · Ionia Public Schools
250 EAST TUTTLE RD, Ionia, MI 48846
Enrollment
77
Student-Teacher
38.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
77
Student-Teacher
38.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ionia
#6 of 8
public schools
Michigan high schools
#607 of 812
In district
#5 of 8
Ionia Public Schools
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Douglas R Welch High School
Douglas R Welch High School is an alternative high school located in Ionia, Michigan. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has a total enrollment of 77 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 38.5:1, the school relies on just two full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse student population.
The academic performance at Douglas R Welch High School is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2990 out of 3204 schools in Michigan. The school's proficiency rates in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math are at 10% each, indicating that there is significant room for academic growth and development. Despite these challenges, the school offers an alternative educational setting that aims to provide personalized support for its students.
Located in a town, Douglas R Welch High School benefits from being part of a close-knit community where teachers and staff work closely with families to address individual student needs. Douglas R Welch High School is situated in Ionia, a town where the school plays an important role in supporting local youth education and development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 77 students, Douglas R Welch 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 Douglas R Welch 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 Douglas R Welch High School is 38.5:1, 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
Douglas R Welch High School — Students at Douglas R Welch High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.1%
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 Douglas R Welch High School Compares
See how Douglas R Welch 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
250 EAST TUTTLE RD, Ionia, MI 48846
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Douglas R Welch High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ionia High School (rated 5.8/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Saranac JrSr High School (rated 4.6/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Saranac), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Portland High School (rated 4.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Portland), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ionia, see our Ionia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ionia High School Ionia | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| AA Rather School Ionia | 0.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Freedom Acres School Ionia | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Emerson School Ionia | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ionia | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Ionia Middle School Ionia | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Jefferson School Ionia | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| IONIA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ionia | 2.7 mi | — |
| Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility Ionia | 2.6 mi | — |
| Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Ionia | 2.5 mi | — |
| Handlon Correctional Facility Ionia | 2.7 mi | — |
| Coon School Ionia | 4.3 mi | — |
| North LeValley Elem School Ionia | 4.5 mi | — |
| Haynor School Ionia | 4.7 mi | — |
| RB Boyce Elementary School Ionia | 6.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Saranac Elementary School Saranac | 6.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Saranac JrSr High School Saranac | 7.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Twin Rivers Elementary School Muir | 7.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Portland High School Portland | 9.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Westwood Elementary School Portland | 9.3 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48846 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,717
Median Home Value
$172,300
Median Rent
$804/mo
Population
21,940
College Educated
12%
Homeownership
69.8%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
15%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Douglas R Welch High School has a median household income of $66,717. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,300, with a median rent of $804/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc Ludington, MI | 5.1 |
| CarsonvillePort Sanilac Learning Center Carsonville, MI | 5.1 |
| Caro Alternative High School Caro, MI | 5.0 |
| ClimaxScotts Virtual Academy Climax, MI | 5.0 |
| New Beginnings Alternative High School Cedar Springs, MI | 5.2 |
| Lake Huron Virtual Hybrid High School New Haven, MI | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Douglas R Welch High School
What grades does Douglas R Welch High School serve?
Douglas R Welch High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Douglas R Welch High School?
Douglas R Welch High School has an enrollment of approximately 77 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Douglas R Welch High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Douglas R Welch High School is 38.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Douglas R Welch High School rank in MI?
Douglas R Welch High School is ranked #2513 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Douglas R Welch High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Douglas R Welch High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Douglas R Welch High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Douglas R Welch High School has 10.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Douglas R Welch High School a charter school?
No, Douglas R Welch High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Douglas R Welch High School a Title I school?
No, Douglas R Welch High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Douglas R Welch High School?
83.1% of students at Douglas R Welch 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
- Elevated (740/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ionia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 77
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 38.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Ionia County
- Phone
- (616) 527-3530
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ionia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,733
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,410
- District Rank
- #5 of 8
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.