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Magnet School
Columbus City School District

Columbus Alternative High School

#1 in Best Magnet High Schools in Ohio
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Public, Magnet
  • 9-12
  • Columbus, OH
  • 230 reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A-
  2. Diversity
    A
  3. Teachers
    A
  4. College Prep
    A-
  5. Clubs & Activities
    C+
  6. Health & Safety
    B+
  7. Administration
    A-
  8. Sports
    NG
  9. Food
    C
  10. Resources & Facilities
    C
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Columbus Alternative High School is a highly rated, public, magnet school located in Columbus, OH. It has 806 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1. According to state test scores, 47% of students are at least proficient in math and 87% in reading.
Address
2632 Mcguffey Rd
Columbus, OH 43211
Telephone
(614) 365-6006
Website
ccsoh.us

Columbus Alternative High School Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

Academics

Percent Proficient - Reading
87%
Percent Proficient - Math
47%
Average Graduation Rate
92%
Average SAT
1190
41 responses
Average ACT
26
153 responses
AP Enrollment
22%
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Living in the Area
A-
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Cost of Living
    B+
  2. Good for Families
    B+
  3. Housing
    B-
Area Feel
Suburban
Median Household Income
$49,478
National
$55,322
Median Rent
$889
National
$949
Median Home Value
$136,500
National
$184,700

Culture & Safety

Health & Safety
B+
Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
Poll
80%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school.30 responses
Poll
87%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.30 responses
Poll
What are your favorite school events or traditions?
Based on 86 responses
Report
  • Semi-formal
    19%
  • Alumni Basket Ball Game
    14%
  • Senior Breakfast
    13%
  • Poetry Out Loud
    13%
  • Prom
    10%
  • Cupcake Day
    9%
  • Student Olympics
    9%

Students

Diversity
A
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
806
Free or Reduced Lunch
47%
85%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.34 responses
91%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.34 responses
24%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.34 responses

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
National
17:1
Average Teacher Salary
$74,140
Teachers in First/Second Year
10.9%
88%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.41 responses
90%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.41 responses
78%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.41 responses

Clubs & Activities

Clubs & Activities
C+
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
Expenses Per Student
$17,851/ year
National
$12,239
89%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.46 responses
24%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.46 responses
70%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.46 responses
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Columbus Alternative High School Reviews

230 reviews
All Categories
Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS) is very diverse in its student body. This allows students from all backgrounds to safely and effectively intermingle, without feeling judged. CAHS is very rigorous when it comes to academics and this is partly due to the fact that it has excellent teachers and staff who really care. Some people might consider this a downside but CAHS does not have any sports. However, students have the opportunity to participate in sports at their home schools. CAHS is the only school in its district that offers International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and this is due to the fact that students have the drive to pursue intricate leveled courses. I am a student at CAHS, pursuing the full IB Diploma program. I had some rough times but I feel like that is to be expected. However, I have created memories that will last for a lifetime and lessons to get me through anything. I am a CAHSmic scholar and I say it loud and proud!
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I love Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS)! There are so many opportunities available for the students there, no matter who they are. There is a surplus of AP classes offered that can give you a head-start on college. CAHS is also the school in the city to be part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The students and teachers at this school are very accepting and diverse, and there is rarely serious problems between students.
There is a great variety of ethnicity and race, and it's easy to get along with others. The academics are more advanced than any other high school in Columbus. The teachers definitely know what they are doing and know how make any student successful. Because of the diversity, there are so many different clubs and activities (although no sports because we are based on the arts) from the Anime Club to the Debate Team, even Ultimate Frisbee and Mock Trial. There are several cultural aspects of our school, more notably our motto "Where Excellence is our Standard and Not the Exception," and the coming together of the freshman to discuss diversity in the gymnasium. The school offers both APand IB, and is a magnet school. The safety is fine, the only issue being the bugs, which do not interfere with the academics. The administration are determined to make every kid grow. The food is so much better than other schools, and their facilities are fine, other than the bathroom stalls being small.