Average
#2428 of 3,190 schools in MI
New Beginnings Alternative High School
High School · Cedar Springs Public Schools
204 EAST MUSKEGON ST, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Springs
#6 of 8
public schools
Michigan high schools
#584 of 812
In district
#6 of 7
Cedar Springs Public Schools
About New Beginnings Alternative High School
New Beginnings Alternative High School is a small, rural high school located in Cedar Springs, Michigan. Situated at 204 East Muskegon Street, the school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and offers an alternative learning environment with an enrollment of just 63 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and three full-time equivalent teachers, New Beginnings focuses on individualized attention and support.
Academically, the school currently has room for improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and state ranking of #2835 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (12th percentile). The academic score is also relatively low at 3.5/10, with proficiency rates for ELA and math both standing at 25% or above on average across all grades. Despite these challenges, the school continues to work diligently to enhance student outcomes.
New Beginnings Alternative High School is nestled in a rural setting near the town of Cedar Springs, fostering a close-knit community where students can receive personalized support and develop their skills in a nurturing environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 63 students, New Beginnings Alternative 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.
The student-teacher ratio at New Beginnings Alternative High School is 21:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, New Beginnings Alternative High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
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New Beginnings Alternative High School — Students at New Beginnings Alternative High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2018-19)
Based on 2 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
How New Beginnings Alternative High School Compares
See how New Beginnings Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
204 EAST MUSKEGON ST, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering New Beginnings Alternative High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cedar Springs High School (rated 6.5/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Valley Academy (rated 6.1/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Rockford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rockford High School (rated 6.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Rockford), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cedar Springs, see our Cedar Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Springs High School Cedar Springs | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedar View Elementary School Cedar Springs | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Red Hawk Intermediate Cedar Springs | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Cedar Trails Elementary School Cedar Springs | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Beach Elementary School Cedar Springs | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Cedar Springs Middle School Cedar Springs | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Creative Technologies Academy Cedar Springs | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| River Valley Academy Rockford | 6.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Valley View Elementary School Rockford | 6.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Parkside Elementary School Rockford | 6.4 mi | 7.2 |
| North Rockford Middle School Rockford | 6.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Meadow Ridge Elementary School Rockford | 7.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Rockford HS Freshman Center Rockford | 8.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Rockford High School Rockford | 8.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Rockford Spanish Immersion Rockford | 8.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Roguewood Elementary School Rockford | 8.8 mi | 8.1 |
| ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockford | 9.3 mi | 6.7 |
| East Rockford Middle School Rockford | 8.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Crestwood Elementary School Rockford | 9.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Lakes Elementary School Rockford | 9.7 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49319 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,247
Median Home Value
$247,600
Median Rent
$1,060/mo
Population
18,725
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
90%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding New Beginnings Alternative High School has a median household income of $78,247. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $1,060/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| MorganShaw School Boyne City, MI | 5.3 |
| STRIVE Academy Saint Johns, MI | 5.3 |
| Vestaburg Community Alternative Education School Vestaburg Vestaburg, MI | 5.3 |
| Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc Ludington, MI | 5.1 |
| CarsonvillePort Sanilac Learning Center Carsonville, MI | 5.1 |
| Douglas R Welch High School Ionia, MI | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Beginnings Alternative High School
What grades does New Beginnings Alternative High School serve?
New Beginnings Alternative High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend New Beginnings Alternative High School?
New Beginnings Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at New Beginnings Alternative High School?
The student-teacher ratio at New Beginnings Alternative High School is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does New Beginnings Alternative High School rank in MI?
New Beginnings Alternative High School is ranked #2428 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is New Beginnings Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?
New Beginnings Alternative High School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 New Beginnings Alternative High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Beginnings Alternative High School has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is New Beginnings Alternative High School a charter school?
No, New Beginnings Alternative High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is New Beginnings Alternative High School a Title I school?
No, New Beginnings Alternative High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Beginnings Alternative High School?
65.1% of students at New Beginnings 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (394/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 63
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 696-1203
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Springs Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,101
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,163
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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