Detroit Leadership Academy

The Detroit Leadership Academy district operates two schools - Detroit Leadership Academy K8 and Detroit Leadership Academy High School. Both schools serve predominantly African American student populations from low-income backgrounds and face significant academic and attendance-related challenges.

Neither school stands out as a high-performing institution, with both exhibiting low proficiency rates on standardized tests across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, only 28.6% of 4th graders at Detroit Leadership Academy K8 were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 43.3%. Similarly, just 7.55% of 11th graders at Detroit Leadership Academy High School were proficient or better in Social Studies, far below the state average of 39.6%. These persistent academic struggles are likely exacerbated by the schools' high rates of chronic absenteeism, which exceed 65% at both campuses.

While the two schools have different per-student spending levels, with Detroit Leadership Academy High School spending $17,856 per student compared to $12,111 at the K8 school, both have relatively high student-teacher ratios. This suggests a need for more equitable resource allocation within the district to ensure all students have access to the support and services they need to succeed. Addressing the underlying social, economic, and educational factors contributing to the challenges faced by these schools will be crucial in improving outcomes for the predominantly African American student population they serve.