Average
#2063 of 3,440 schools in OH
Alternative Education Academy
School · Alternative Education Academy
4 Summit Park Dr Ste 350, Independence, OH 44131
Enrollment
6,486
Student-Teacher
32.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
6,486
Student-Teacher
32.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#5 of 5
public schools
Ohio schools
#97 of 162
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Alternative Education Academy
Alternative Education Academy serves 6,486 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Independence, Ohio. This charter school operates with 201 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 32.3:1. The school currently faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in student achievement.
Test scores indicate areas where intensive support is needed, with 27% of students performing proficiently in English Language Arts and 15% in mathematics across grade levels. The school ranks near the bottom of Ohio schools statewide, reflecting the considerable work ahead to improve educational outcomes for its large student body. Despite these academic hurdles, Alternative Education Academy serves students in a community with strong economic foundations.
The surrounding area features a median household income of $94,822 and a low poverty rate of 4.1%, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Median home values in the area reach $239,000, indicating a stable residential environment. The school's name suggests it may serve students with unique educational needs or circumstances that require specialized approaches.
Located on Summit Park Drive in Independence, Alternative Education Academy operates within a large suburban setting that serves over 20,000 residents in the 44131 ZIP code area.
What's said publicly about Alternative Education Academy
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Alternative Education Academy is a large school with 6,486 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
While current test scores at Alternative Education Academy 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 Alternative Education Academy is 32.3:1, 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
Alternative Education Academy — Students at Alternative Education Academy score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from OH 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: 9.4/10.
How Alternative Education Academy Compares
See how Alternative Education Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 16% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 31% (2021).
Location
4 Summit Park Dr Ste 350, Independence, OH 44131
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alternative Education Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Independence Middle School (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cuyahoga Hts High School (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Cuyahoga Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Independence Primary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Online Academy of Ohio Independence | 0.0 mi | — |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Independence | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Independence High School Independence | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Independence Middle School Independence | 1.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Independence Primary School Independence | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Hillside Middle School Seven Hills | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Cuyahoga Hts Elementary School Cuyahoga Heights | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Cuyahoga Hts Middle School Cuyahoga Heights | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| ST COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL Parma | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Cuyahoga Hts High School Cuyahoga Heights | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Shiloh Middle School Parma | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| John Muir Elementary School Parma | 2.5 mi | 4.0 |
| The Brilliance School Garfield Heights | 2.8 mi | 2.0 |
| Hope Academy Northcoast Cleveland | 3.4 mi | 4.6 |
| North Shore High School Garfield Heights | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
| LAWERENCE SCHOOL - LOWER Broadview Heights | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Garfield Heights High School Garfield Heights | 3.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Warner Girls Leadership Academy Cleveland | 3.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Garfield Heights Middle School Garfield Heights | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Elmwood Elementary School Garfield Heights | 3.0 mi | 2.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 44131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,838
Median Home Value
$252,400
Median Rent
$1,512/mo
Population
20,619
College Educated
39.9%
Homeownership
95%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
49.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alternative Education Academy has a median household income of $98,838. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $252,400, with a median rent of $1,512/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Ohio Connections Academy Inc Worthington, OH | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alternative Education Academy
What grades does Alternative Education Academy serve?
Alternative Education Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Alternative Education Academy?
Alternative Education Academy has an enrollment of approximately 6,486 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alternative Education Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Alternative Education Academy is 32.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alternative Education Academy rank in OH?
Alternative Education Academy is ranked #2063 out of 3,440 schools in OH.
What is Alternative Education Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Alternative Education Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Alternative Education Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alternative Education Academy has 15.5% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alternative Education Academy a charter school?
Yes, Alternative Education Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Alternative Education Academy a Title I school?
No, Alternative Education Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 6,486
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 32.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 201
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cuyahoga County
- Phone
- (866) 509-3099
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alternative Education Academy- District Enrollment
- 6,486
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $7,984
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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