Momentum Academy

Momentum Academy is the sole public charter elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Waterford, Michigan, with a total enrollment of 213 students. The school's diverse student population is predominantly Hispanic (62.91%) and African American (28.64%), and a staggering 95.31% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage.

Academically, Momentum Academy is struggling, with test scores significantly below the state averages across multiple grade levels and subject areas. For instance, in 2023-2024, only 12.5% of 5th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 44%. The school's chronic absenteeism rate is also alarmingly high at 46.2%, which is likely a contributing factor to its poor academic performance. Despite spending $14,558 per student, which is higher than the state average, Momentum Academy has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of Michigan elementary schools, with a 1-star rating out of 5.

The data suggests that Momentum Academy is facing significant challenges in providing a high-quality education to its predominantly minority and economically disadvantaged student population. Addressing the school's attendance issues, improving resource allocation, and implementing targeted interventions to meet the unique needs of its students should be the top priorities for the school and the Momentum Academy district.