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Alpena City Hall (53882685763) (cropped)Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY 2.0
C+
Schools in Alpena · Alpena Public Schools

Alpena’s public schools score below 58% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Alpena’s districts is 27%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Alpena, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#565of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
38%
▼ 7 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 7 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
76%
▼ 6 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.9K
▼ 10% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.8
MI 16.5
Schools in town
8
2,943 students on the public path
In brief

Alpena’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,914 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Thunder Bay Junior High School, then Alpena High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Immanuel Lutheran School (private) and All Saints Catholic School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Alpena’s grade

B− Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 42% of Michigan school districts, #565 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 42%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (575)Better than 40%
C+B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,714 test results and a graduating class of 281 could put Alpena anywhere from C+ to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Alpena’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,713 in math, 1,715 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alpena, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to B−
6–8Thunder Bay Junior High SchoolAlpena Public SchoolsC
9–12Alpena High SchoolAlpena Public SchoolsB

Alpena’s public schools are run by Alpena Public Schools, which also serves Alpena, Green, Long Rapids and Maple Ridge and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Alpena Public SchoolsGrades K–12 · 9 schools · 3,553 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 16.8 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$14,914MI $16,528 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading38%
State average 45.4% · 1715 students tested
Math27%
State average 33.6% · 1713 students tested

Alpena vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Alpena’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
AlpenaC+Alpena

Every school in Alpena

9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Alpenaby address
Besser Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
470 students18:1Rate it →
Ella M White Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
C+
440 students18:1Rate it →
Lincoln Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
D
146 students15:1Rate it →
Alpena High School
High · Grades 8–12
B
1,091 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Alpenain other towns
Thunder Bay Junior High School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
796 students16:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
ACES Academy
High · Grades 7–12
Alternative Education
57 students8:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Alpenarun by other districts or the state
Pied Piper School
Grades PK–12
A−
Special Education
45 students6:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Immanuel Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
137 students23:1Rate it →
All Saints Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
134 students25:1Rate it →

Questions about Alpena’s schools

Are Alpena’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Alpena children attend score below 58% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #565 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Alpena in?

Alpena Public Schools, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,553 students in 9 schools (2024–25).

Where do Alpena kids go to high school?

Alpena High School, with 1,091 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Alpena’s graduation rate?

76% of the class of 2023 in Alpena Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Alpena spend per student?

$14,914 in Alpena Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Alpena?

Yes: Immanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 137 students) and All Saints Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 134 students).

Parents talk

What Alpena families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alpena → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.