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Very Good

#734 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 23% in state

Harrison Alternative Education

School · Harrison Community Schools

PO Box 529, Harrison, MI 48625

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

7.4

Grades

8th – 11th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrison

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Harrison Community Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Harrison Alternative Education

Harrison Alternative Education serves 37 students in grades 8 through 11 in Harrison, Michigan, providing specialized educational support with a notably small student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. With just three full-time equivalent teachers, this alternative school creates an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized attention. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks impressively at #327 out of 3,204 Michigan schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.

This high ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its unique student population through alternative educational approaches. Harrison Alternative Education operates in a community where the median household income is $41,045 and median home values average $89,100. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 25.5%, with 7% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

These demographics suggest the school serves students who may benefit from alternative educational pathways and additional support structures. The small enrollment allows for personalized learning plans and closer relationships between students and staff. This alternative education setting provides students with different educational needs the opportunity to succeed in a more flexible, supportive environment.

Harrison Alternative Education is situated in the town of Harrison within Clare County, serving families throughout this rural Michigan community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Harrison Alternative Education 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.1Above Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness7.1Very Good40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,399

Harrison Alternative Education — Students at Harrison Alternative Education score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

How Harrison Alternative Education Compares

See how Harrison Alternative Education performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in MI
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO Box 529, Harrison, MI 48625

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harrison Alternative Education may also want to explore other schools in the area. ClareGladwin Area School (rated 8.9/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Clare), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farwell Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Farwell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clare Pioneer High School (rated 7.6/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Clare), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harrison, see our Harrison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Robert M Larson Elementary School Harrison 0.1 mi 5.2
Harrison Middle School Harrison 0.4 mi 4.8
Harrison Community High School Harrison 0.5 mi 5.5
ClareGladwin Area School Clare 4.3 mi 8.9
EAST DOVER SCHOOL Clare 10.0 mi 2.1
Farwell Timberland Alternative High School Farwell 12.1 mi 6.4
Farwell Middle School Farwell 12.8 mi 5.1
Farwell High School Farwell 12.8 mi 5.8
Farwell Elementary School Farwell 12.8 mi 8.7
Clare Pioneer High School Clare 13.2 mi 7.6
GREAT LAKES MENNONITE SCHOOL Clare 13.2 mi 4.7
Clare High School Clare 13.5 mi 7.2
Clare Primary School Clare 13.5 mi 4.4
Clare Middle School Clare 13.6 mi 6.2
SHADY LAWN AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Clare 13.5 mi
SKEELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gladwin 11.9 mi 5.0
MEADOW BROOK Gladwin 13.8 mi
Gladwin Community Alternative HS Gladwin 14.3 mi
Houghton Lake JrSr High School Houghton Lake 19.6 mi 5.0
Collins Elementary School Houghton Lake 19.7 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,156

Median Home Value

$95,900

Median Rent

$615/mo

Population

12,939

College Educated

8.9%

Homeownership

88.4%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

23.2%

Median Age

51

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harrison Alternative Education has a median household income of $45,156. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,900, with a median rent of $615/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harrison Alternative Education

What grades does Harrison Alternative Education serve?

Harrison Alternative Education serves students in grades 8th through 11th.

How many students attend Harrison Alternative Education?

Harrison Alternative Education has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harrison Alternative Education?

The student-teacher ratio at Harrison Alternative Education is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harrison Alternative Education rank in MI?

Harrison Alternative Education is ranked #734 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Harrison Alternative Education's MySchoolScout rating?

Harrison Alternative Education has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Harrison Alternative Education?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harrison Alternative Education has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harrison Alternative Education a charter school?

No, Harrison Alternative Education is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Harrison Alternative Education a Title I school?

No, Harrison Alternative Education is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harrison Alternative Education?

86.5% of students at Harrison 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 11th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
Clare County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harrison Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,251
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,375
District Rank
#1 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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