Great Lakes Learning Academy

The Great Lakes Learning Academy district in Michigan operates two schools - the Great Lakes Learning Academy Middle/High School and the Great Lakes Learning Academy Alternative High School. While the main middle/high school performs better, both schools face significant challenges, with alarmingly low test scores, graduation rates, and high dropout rates compared to state averages.

The alternative high school stands out as particularly struggling, with a graduation rate of just 22.8% and a dropout rate of 37.9% - much worse than the main school's 61.5% graduation rate and 18.8% dropout rate. The alternative school also serves a more disadvantaged student population, with 76% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch compared to 70% at the main school. Test scores at both schools are well below state averages across subjects and grade levels.

Broader systemic issues within the Great Lakes Learning Academy district are evident, with large discrepancies in per-student spending ($17,127 at the main school vs $0 at the alternative school) and high student-teacher ratios. Addressing the root causes of the low performance, high dropout rates, and inequitable resource allocation will be critical for improving educational outcomes for students in this district.