Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy

The Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy district operates two schools in Michigan - Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Dequindre, an alternative school serving grades K-12, and Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Lorraine, an elementary school serving grades PK-6. Both schools serve a predominantly African American student population, with over 80% of students identifying as such, and 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Despite the high-need student population, the schools struggle academically, with proficiency rates in core subjects often below 50% and significantly lower than state averages. Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Dequindre also faces a concerning 62.3% chronic absenteeism rate, more than double the state average. Graduation rates, while above 80%, still lag behind state benchmarks, and dropout rates are higher than desired.

Interestingly, the two schools within the Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy district exhibit significant differences in their academic performance, despite serving similar student populations. This suggests that school-level factors may be playing a role in student outcomes, and further investigation is needed to understand the underlying causes of the achievement gaps. Additionally, the high per-student spending at both schools, coupled with the poor academic results, raises questions about the effective allocation of resources and the need for more targeted interventions to improve student success.