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Average

#2331 of 3,190 schools in MI

Ucs Alternative Learning Center

High School · Utica Community Schools

7600 18 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48314

Enrollment

258

Student-Teacher

28.7:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan high schools

#553 of 812

In district

#29 of 37

Utica Community Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Ucs Alternative Learning Center

UCS Alternative Learning Center is a high school in Sterling Heights, Michigan, nestled in a large suburban area. The school caters to students from grade 9 through 12 and has an enrollment of 258 students with 9 full-time equivalent teachers. With a student-teacher ratio of 28.7:1, the school focuses on providing personalized support within its alternative learning environment.

UCS Alternative Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating is 3.1 out of 10, placing it at the 10th percentile among Michigan schools in terms of state ranking. The academic score reflects a need for improvement, with only 10% of students meeting proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and just 5% in Math. Despite these challenges, UCS Alternative Learning Center continues to work diligently on student development and academic growth, offering tailored educational programs that cater to diverse learning needs.

Located in the heart of Sterling Heights, the school is part of a vibrant suburban community that supports its efforts to provide meaningful educational experiences for all students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Ucs Alternative Learning Center 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 Ucs Alternative Learning Center is 28.7:1, 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,557

Ucs Alternative Learning Center — Students at Ucs Alternative Learning Center score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
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
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Ucs Alternative Learning Center Compares

See how Ucs Alternative Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in MI
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
29:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

7600 18 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48314

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ucs Alternative Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Adlai Stevenson High School (rated 6.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Henry Ford II High School (rated 5.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sterling Heights, see our Sterling Heights schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Schwarzkoff Elementary School Sterling Heights 0.5 mi 6.4
Plumbrook Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.0 mi 7.6
Adlai Stevenson High School Sterling Heights 1.2 mi 6.1
Messmore Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.4 mi 7.5
Davis Junior High School Sterling Heights 1.3 mi 6.1
Henry Ford II High School Sterling Heights 1.3 mi 5.9
Dresden Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.6 mi 7.0
Dekeyser Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.5 mi 6.4
Jack Harvey Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.6 mi 7.1
Browning Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.8 mi 6.9
Huron Academy Grades K2 Clinton Twp 2.1 mi 7.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Utica 2.3 mi 5.0
Bemis Junior High School Sterling Heights 1.8 mi 5.9
Heritage Junior High School Sterling Heights 2.1 mi 5.5
Eppler Junior High School Utica 2.4 mi 6.9
Flickinger Elementary School Utica 2.5 mi 6.3
Oakbrook Elementary School Sterling Heights 2.2 mi 6.3
Burr Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.9 mi 5.2
Havel Elementary School Sterling Heights 2.1 mi 6.5
Willow Woods Elementary School Sterling Heights 2.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48314 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,383

Median Home Value

$309,700

Median Rent

$1,397/mo

Population

21,379

College Educated

36.2%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

49.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ucs Alternative Learning Center has a median household income of $80,383. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $309,700, with a median rent of $1,397/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. 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
Bangor High School Bangor, MI 5.4
Clawson High School Clawson, MI 5.4
Holton High School Holton, MI 5.4
Marcellus High School Marcellus, MI 5.4
Muskegon Heights Academy Muskegon, MI 5.4
Taylor Virtual Learning Academy Taylor, MI 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ucs Alternative Learning Center

What grades does Ucs Alternative Learning Center serve?

Ucs Alternative Learning Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ucs Alternative Learning Center?

Ucs Alternative Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 258 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ucs Alternative Learning Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Ucs Alternative Learning Center is 28.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ucs Alternative Learning Center rank in MI?

Ucs Alternative Learning Center is ranked #2331 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Ucs Alternative Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Ucs Alternative Learning Center has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Ucs Alternative Learning Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ucs Alternative Learning Center has 5.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ucs Alternative Learning Center a charter school?

No, Ucs Alternative Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ucs Alternative Learning Center a Title I school?

No, Ucs Alternative Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ucs Alternative Learning Center?

69.0% of students at Ucs Alternative Learning Center 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 (1,277/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Macomb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Utica Community Schools
District Enrollment
25,501
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,360
District Rank
#29 of 37

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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