Summary:
The city of Climax, Michigan is home to two schools serving grades 5-12: ClimaxScotts High School and ClimaxScotts Virtual Academy, both part of the Climax-Scotts Community Schools district. While the traditional high school is performing better across various metrics, both schools face significant challenges in supporting student success, particularly for their vulnerable populations.
ClimaxScotts High School serves 274 students and has seen fluctuations in its statewide ranking, ranging from 187th out of 735 Michigan high schools in 2022-2023 to 480th out of 743 in 2023-2024. The school has a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 90.9% but also a concerning 6.0% dropout rate. Student academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates on state assessments, is generally below the state averages across various subjects and grade levels. In contrast, the ClimaxScotts Virtual Academy, with an enrollment of only 37 students, has a very low 4-year graduation rate of 15.1% and a high dropout rate of 30.3%. The virtual academy also has an alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rate of 85.7% and spends significantly less per student ($5,181) compared to the traditional high school ($12,798).
The data reveals a stark contrast in the performance and outcomes between the two schools, raising concerns about equity and the ability of these schools to provide the necessary support and resources to ensure student success. The high percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients at both schools, particularly the virtual academy at 78.38%, suggests that these schools serve a population with significant socioeconomic challenges. The disparities in funding and the challenges of the virtual learning model may be contributing factors to the observed differences in student outcomes. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and strategies to address the unique needs of the Climax-Scotts community and support the academic and personal growth of all students.
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