Detroit Innovation Academy

Detroit Innovation Academy is the sole public charter elementary school serving grades K-8 in the Detroit area, with a student population of 379. The school faces significant challenges, as evidenced by its overwhelmingly African American student body, persistently low academic performance, and high chronic absenteeism rate.

Detroit Innovation Academy struggles to provide a high-quality education, with test scores that fall far below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, the school's 3rd grade ELA proficiency rate is just 12.1%, compared to the state average of 40.9%. This trend continues through 8th grade, where the school's PSAT ELA proficiency rate of 42.9% is still well below the state's 59.7%. The school's chronic absenteeism rate of 63.8% is also a major concern, indicating a lack of student engagement and attendance.

With a ranking of 1,328 out of 1,470 Michigan elementary schools, placing it in the bottom 10% statewide, Detroit Innovation Academy faces significant challenges in providing a quality education to its students. The school's low per-student spending of $9,802 may contribute to these issues, and addressing the root causes of the school's persistent underperformance will likely require a comprehensive, data-driven approach that includes targeted interventions, increased funding, and a focus on improving the overall educational experience for students.