Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Michigan Alternative Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 102 alternative public elementary schools serving 13,288 students in Michigan.
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Michigan are Calhoun County Youth Center, Pathfinders Alternative Education and Saginaw County Juvenile Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Michigan alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).

Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in Michigan (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Calhoun County Youth Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
14555 18 12 Mile Rd
Marshall, MI 49068
(269) 789-3507
Gr: 4-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Pathfinders Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
501 N Paul St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4471
Gr: 6-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Saginaw County Juvenile Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3360 Hospital Rd
Saginaw, MI 48603
(989) 399-7461
Gr: 3-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #44.
Virtual Learning Academyof St Clair County
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3403 Lapeer Rd
Marysville, MI 48040
(810) 364-1362
Gr: 6-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Atherton Vern Van Y Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2400 Clarice Ave
Burton, MI 48519
(810) 591-0850
Gr: PK-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Carsonvilleport Sanilac Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
100 N Goetze Rd
Carsonville, MI 48419
(810) 657-9393
Gr: 6-12 | 53 students Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Hartford Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
115 School St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7143
Gr: 6-12 | 122 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Oxford Crossroads Day School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
810 James Hunt Dr
Oxford, MI 48371
(248) 969-1812
Gr: 6-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #99.
Redford Union Virtual Learning
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18255 Kinloch
Redford, MI 48240
(313) 242-3700
Gr: 6-12 | 67 students Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Capstonewayne Co Juvenile Detention Fac
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3501 Hamtramck Dr
Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 831-3510
Gr: 4-12 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Clara B Ford Academy Sda
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
20651 West Warren St
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
(313) 436-0020
Gr: 5-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Comstock Compass High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3010 Gull Rd
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 250-8930
Gr: PK-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Consolidated Community School Services
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4900 W Davis Ct
Kincheloe, MI 49788
(906) 495-7305
Gr: 5-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Constantine Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 Peachtree St
Constantine, MI 49042
(269) 435-9030
Gr: 6-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 104:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Downriver Digital Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
27225 W Outer Dr
Ecorse, MI 48229
(313) 294-4750
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Lake Huron Virtual Hybrid High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
57700 Gratiot Ave
New Haven, MI 48048
(586) 749-5123
Gr: 1-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1501 Cedar St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 304-8537
Gr: K-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 N Rose St
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-6553
Gr: K-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Pioneer High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
15 S Howard Ave
Croswell, MI 48422
(810) 679-1300
Gr: 6-12 | 78 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Port Huron Schools Adult Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
55 15th St
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 455-0029
Gr: 6-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #10 - 2110. - 21.
Vista Meadows Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
20651 West Warren St
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
(313) 240-4347
Gr: K-12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Washtenaw County Youth Center Educational Programs
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4125 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 994-8100
Gr: 5-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Buchanan Step Up
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
401 W Chicago St
Buchanan, MI 49107
(269) 695-8401
Gr: K-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Phoenix Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
247 School Dr
Yale, MI 48097
(810) 387-3231
Gr: 6-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Bethany Based School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
901 Eastern Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 245-7708
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Carson Citycrystal Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
213 E Sherman St
Carson City, MI 48811
(989) 584-3138
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Climaxscotts Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
372 S Main St
Climax, MI 49034
(269) 746-2401
Gr: 5-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Genesee County Juvenile Justice Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4287 W Pasadena Ave
Mount Morris, MI 48458
(810) 591-4680
Gr: 4-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Holton Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6500 4th St
Holton, MI 49425
(231) 821-1700
Gr: 6-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 40:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Kent City Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
351 N Main St
Kent City, MI 49330
(616) 678-4210
Gr: 6-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Malcolm Williams School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5123 Old Plank Rd
Onondaga, MI 49264
(517) 244-1354
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #25 - 3225. - 32.
Outlook Academy Youth Home Campus
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2243 33rd St
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 512-7880
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Imk Community Education
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
800 E E St
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
(906) 779-2660
Gr: K-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Youth Home Jackson Isd
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
930 Fleming Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-8088
Gr: 3-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #3535.
Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Middle School Drive
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
(269) 471-0500
Gr: PK-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Show 67 more Alternative public schools in Michigan (out of 102 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Michigan?
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Michigan include Calhoun County Youth Center, Pathfinders Alternative Education and Saginaw County Juvenile Center.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in Michigan?
114 alternative public elementary schools are located in Michigan.
What is the racial composition of students in Michigan?
Michigan alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public elementary schools average of 38% (majority Black).

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