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Average

#2063 of 3,440 schools in OH

Alternative Education Academy

School · Alternative Education Academy

4 Summit Park Dr Ste 350, Independence, OH 44131

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

6,486

Student-Teacher

32.3:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

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

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Ohio Distance & Electronic Learning Academy (OHDELA) is a tuition-free online public charter school serving students in grades K–12 across Ohio 1 . The institution provides an interactive online curriculum and live classes delivered by Ohio state-licensed teachers 1 . Its educational model features flexible pacing, personalized support, and Individual Learning Plans designed to align with Ohio academic standards 1 . The school employs an Engagement Coach and a Tiered Student Support Model that emphasizes social and emotional learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving 1 . OHDELA offers opportunities for in-person field trips and family days in addition to remote instruction 1 . Enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year is open 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.ohdela.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics3.9Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-20.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio32.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,694

Alternative Education Academy — Students at Alternative Education Academy score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 15.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from OH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
16%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
31%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.8/10
40th percentile in OH
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,358/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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