Best High Schools in Detroit, MI

The city of Detroit, Michigan is home to 42 high schools serving students in grades 9-12, spanning public, public charter, and specialized institutions. The data reveals stark disparities in academic performance, graduation rates, and other key metrics between the highest and lowest performing schools in the district, suggesting significant inequities in educational opportunities and resources.

Among the standout schools, Cass Technical High School ranks 263rd out of 735 Michigan high schools and boasts a strong 98.4% four-year graduation rate, well above the district and state averages. Renaissance High School also performs impressively, ranking 195th in the state with 35.7% of 11th graders proficient in science and 80.3% proficient in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. In contrast, many schools struggle with alarmingly low graduation rates, such as Covenant House Academy Detroit Central Site at just 3.0%.

Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days, is a major issue across the district, with many schools reporting rates over 70%, including an alarming 94.7% at West Side Academy of Information Technology and Cyber Security. The student populations at most schools are predominantly African American, and the vast majority have high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage. While some public charter schools, like University Preparatory Art Design MiddleHigh, perform better than district averages, others, such as many of the Covenant House Academy Detroit and W-A-Y Academy sites, struggle significantly.