David Ellis Academy

Summary:

David Ellis Academy is an alternative public charter school in Detroit, Michigan that serves 200 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with a 100% African American student population and a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

The school stands out in several key ways: it has a 100% African American student body, significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates than nearby schools, and lower test scores in English Language Arts and Math compared to state averages and nearby schools like Edison and AGBU AlexMarie Manoogian School. Despite spending $12,205 to $18,843 per student, which is higher than some nearby schools, David Ellis Academy's academic performance does not seem to match its level of funding.

These findings suggest that David Ellis Academy may need to address underlying issues to improve student engagement, academic achievement, and the efficient use of resources. The school's racial homogeneity, high chronic absenteeism, and underperformance on standardized tests indicate that the school may benefit from strategies to better support its predominantly Detroit Public Schools Community District student population.


Detail:

Public, Charter, Alternative PK, KG-12

 18977 Schaefer Hwy
       Detroit, MI  48235-1762


(313) 450-0642

District: David Ellis Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
1083rd of 1,486 Michigan Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,843 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  23.5 Help
Number of students:  200

Racial breakdown:

African American:
100.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  89.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details David Ellis Academy ranks worse than 72.9% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.73. (See more...)
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Compare Details David Ellis Academy ranks better than 52.5% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.14. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (100%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 89.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at David Ellis Academy is 23.5. (See more...)
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Compare David Ellis Academy employs 8.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at David Ellis Academy is $18,843.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

David Ellis Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks David Ellis Academy 1083rd of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See David Ellis Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
African American students:

SchoolDigger ranks David Ellis Academy 426th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See David Ellis Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Male students:
African American students:




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Rank History for David Ellis Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 63.10 641st 1545 58.5%
2007 15.88 1445th 1565 7.7%
2008 13.61 1468th 1577 6.9%
2009 4.62 1552nd 1589 2.3%
2010 14.99 1441st 1552 7.2%
2011 31.91 1273rd 1552 18.0%
2012 26.60 1260th 1566 19.5%
2013 20.43 1308th 1563 16.3%
2014 14.00 1362nd 1533 11.2%
2015 12.07 1415th 1580 10.4%
2016 9.29 1419th 1548 8.3%
2017 3.42 1457th 1466 0.6%
2018 10.22 1363rd 1448 5.9%
2019 10.36 1279th 1408 9.2%
2022 15.33 1149th 1344 14.5%
2023 18.62 1179th 1470 19.8%
2024 25.73 1083rd 1486 27.1%
See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.34 1283rd 1397 8.2%
2019 17.65 990th 1134 12.7%
2022 27.09 842nd 1099 23.4%
2023 26.46 1018th 1350 24.6%
2024 41.16 782nd 1381 43.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.73 1310th 1443 9.2%
2023 26.52 962nd 1321 27.2%
2024 47.44 658th 1342 51.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.40 1346th 1446 6.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.64 310th 475 34.7%
2019 35.50 132nd 212 37.7%
2022 50.79 63rd 158 60.1%
2023 47.24 134th 321 58.3%
2024 55.13 116th 348 66.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for David Ellis Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 49.01 533rd 806 33.9%
2008 13.53 772nd 839 8.0%
2009 12.26 788th 847 7.0%
2010 13.71 782nd 851 8.1%
2011 23.70 739th 858 13.9%
2012 22.86 746th 900 17.1%
2013 15.59 799th 919 13.1%
2014 12.05 814th 921 11.6%
2015 19.11 735th 919 20.0%
2016 11.25 787th 894 12.0%
2017 8.57 768th 821 6.5%
2018 9.56 799th 838 4.7%
2019 9.63 735th 792 7.2%
2023 30.09 608th 883 31.1%
2024 48.14 426th 897 52.5%
See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.44 738th 815 9.4%
2019 14.05 610th 672 9.2%
2023 42.45 452nd 825 45.2%
2024 50.65 355th 836 57.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.70 730th 794 8.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.26 777th 797 2.5%
2024 53.21 312th 786 60.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at David Ellis Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.98 277th 366 24.3%
2019 31.63 139th 196 29.1%
2023 59.80 97th 310 68.7%
2024 75.53 41st 300 86.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

David Ellis Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for David Ellis Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1999 0 199 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 200
2000 0 227 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 228
2001 0 233 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 233
2002 0 281 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 281
2003 0 281 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 281
2004 1 281 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 282
2005 0 327 0 0 0 n/a n/a 1 328
2006 0 368 0 0 0 n/a n/a 1 369
2007 0 316 1 0 0 n/a n/a 1 318
2008 n/a 314 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 314
2009 0 326 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 326
2010 0 320 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 320
2011 0 303 0 0 0 0 0 0 303
2012 0 249 1 0 0 0 0 0 250
2013 0 342 1 0 0 0 0 0 343
2014 0 414 2 0 0 0 0 0 416
2015 0 367 2 0 0 0 0 0 369
2016 0 363 1 0 0 0 0 0 364
2017 0 344 1 0 0 0 0 0 345
2018 0 340 0 0 0 0 0 0 340
2019 0 304 0 0 0 0 0 0 304
2020 0 272 0 0 0 0 0 0 272
2021 0 223 0 0 0 0 0 0 223
2022 0 216 0 0 0 0 0 0 216
2023 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 200

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at David Ellis Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 200 11.0 18.2 0
2000 228 14.0 16.3 29.8
2001 233 14.0 16.6 33.5
2002 281 n/a n/a 27
2003 281 n/a n/a 27
2004 282 13.0 21.7 28
2005 328 13.5 24.3 31.5
2006 369 15.5 23.8 38.3
2007 318 9.0 35.3 59.9
2008 314 13.3 23.6 65.9
2009 326 11.5 28.3 68.4
2010 320 11.5 27.8 73.1
2011 303 13.5 22.4 65
2012 250 11.3 22.1 70.8
2013 343 14.2 24.0 69.1
2014 416 15.2 27.2 82.7
2015 369 18.0 20.5 85.4
2016 364 18.0 20.2 88.2
2017 345 18.5 18.6 79.4
2018 340 17.0 20.0 86.8
2019 304 13.2 22.9 92.8
2020 272 10.2 26.5 92.3
2021 223 9.0 24.7 83.4
2022 216 9.5 22.7 85.2
2023 200 8.5 23.5 89.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio David Ellis Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 200 11.0 18.2 0
2000 228 14.0 16.3 29.8
2001 233 14.0 16.6 33.5
2002 281 n/a n/a 27
2003 281 n/a n/a 27
2004 282 13.0 21.7 28
2005 328 13.5 24.3 31.5
2006 369 15.5 23.8 38.3
2007 318 9.0 35.3 59.9
2008 314 13.3 23.6 65.9
2009 326 11.5 28.3 68.4
2010 320 11.5 27.8 73.1
2011 303 13.5 22.4 65
2012 250 11.3 22.1 70.8
2013 343 14.2 24.0 69.1
2014 416 15.2 27.2 82.7
2015 369 18.0 20.5 85.4
2016 364 18.0 20.2 88.2
2017 345 18.5 18.6 79.4
2018 340 17.0 20.0 86.8
2019 304 13.2 22.9 92.8
2020 272 10.2 26.5 92.3
2021 223 9.0 24.7 83.4
2022 216 9.5 22.7 85.2
2023 200 8.5 23.5 89.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for David Ellis Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,682 (13.6%) $10,686 (86.4%) $12,368
2020 $1,397 (11.4%) $10,807 (88.6%) $12,204
2021 $2,496 (18.4%) $11,054 (81.6%) $13,550
2022 $4,531 (27.2%) $12,149 (72.8%) $16,680
2023 $6,668 (35.4%) $12,174 (64.6%) $18,843

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on David Ellis Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1279th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 1179th of 1470 Elementary schools
 10.6%
Ranks 735th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 608th of 883 Middle schools
 23.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)23.132
 8.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)23.132
 8.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (David Ellis Academy)17.916
 1.9%
   3rd Grade Math (David Ellis Academy)17.916
 1.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)21.924
 2.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)21.924
 2.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)12.221.7
 9.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)12.221.7
 9.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)33.353.3
 20%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (David Ellis Academy)33.353.3
 20%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students304200
 34.2%
African American304200
 34.2%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic00
Pacific Islander00
White00
Two or More Races00
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients92.8%89.5%
 3.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about David Ellis Academy

Students at David Ellis Academy are 100% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 200 students attended David Ellis Academy.

David Ellis Academy ranks 1083rd of 1486 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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