Columbus Alternative High School

820 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS), located on McGuffey Road in Columbus, Ohio, is a specialized magnet school within the Columbus City Schools district. Known for its rigorous academic environment, the school is designed for students who are seeking a challenging, college-preparatory curriculum. It distinguishes itself by emphasizing high academic standards, critical thinking, and a structured learning atmosphere, making it a popular choice for motivated students looking for an alternative to their assigned neighborhood high schools.

The school is well-regarded for its strong emphasis on the humanities, sciences, and a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities that foster leadership and community engagement. Because it operates as an alternative program, it often attracts a highly diverse student body from across the district who are united by a common commitment to academic excellence. With its focused approach to instruction and a supportive culture, Columbus Alternative High School consistently prepares its graduates for success in post-secondary education and competitive career paths.

820

Total Students

41.0

Full-Time Teachers

20.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Columbus Alternative High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	229
Hispanic	63
Black	438
Asian	35
Two or More	55

Black
438 (53.4%)
White
229 (27.9%)
Hispanic
63 (7.7%)
Two or More
55 (6.7%)
Asian
35 (4.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Columbus City Schools District
Phone:	(614)365-6006
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	820
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	41.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	20.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* 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 9 290

Grade 10 227

Grade 11 173

Grade 12 130