This paper describes the effects of the grain-level anisotropy on the microstructure and uniaxial compressive response of the ice-templated alumina scaffolds. Highly porous (~80vol.%) scaffolds were fabricated from alumina powders of equiaxed morphology as well as from powder mixtures containing equiaxed and small amount of platelet particles. Presence of the platelets (diameter 8μm and thickness 400nm) led to the formation of the interlamellae bridges, and significantly enhanced the stiffness and compressive strength of the scaffolds. Measured improvement of the mechanical response is rationalized based on the stiffening and strengthening effects exhibited by the intralamella and interlamella platelets.