UCS Alternative Learning Center

7600 18 MILE RD
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48314

alc.uticak12.org/

245 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

The UCS Alternative Learning Center (ALC), located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, serves as a specialized educational facility within the Utica Community Schools district. It is designed to provide an alternative pathway for students who may struggle in a traditional high school setting or who require a more flexible, individualized approach to meet their academic goals. The center focuses on helping students earn their high school diplomas by offering a self-paced environment, credit recovery options, and a smaller student-to-teacher ratio that fosters personalized attention.

Beyond its academic curriculum, the ALC emphasizes a supportive culture aimed at re-engaging students in their education. By providing a structured yet adaptable atmosphere, the school works to address the unique social, emotional, and learning needs of its student body. The ultimate mission of the center is to bridge the gap for students who have fallen behind or need a different pedagogical framework, ensuring they develop the necessary skills and confidence to successfully graduate and transition into post-secondary life or the workforce.

245

Total Students

13.3

Full-Time Teachers

18.4

Student/Teacher Ratio

71.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for UCS Alternative Learning Center
Demographic	Student Count
White	172
Hispanic	18
Black	35
Asian	4
Two or More	15
American Indian	1

White
172 (70.2%)
Black
35 (14.3%)
Hispanic
18 (7.3%)
Two or More
15 (6.1%)
Asian
4 (1.6%)
American Indian
1 (0.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Utica Community Schools
Phone:	(586)797-7000
Website:	http://alc.uticak12.org/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	245
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	13.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	18.4
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	165
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	9

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 10 42

Grade 11 67

Grade 12 136