Summary:
Crescent Academy Elementary is a public charter school in Southfield, Michigan, serving 322 students in grades 2-5. With over 98% of its student body identifying as African American, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Michigan elementary schools, earning a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger in recent years.
Crescent Academy faces significant challenges, including a dramatic increase in chronic absenteeism, from 15.7% in 2017-2018 to 54.9% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than nearby schools. Academically, the school's proficiency rates on the M-Step assessment are well below state averages, with only 26.4% of 3rd graders, 15.2% of 4th graders, and 27.9% of 5th graders proficient in English Language Arts, compared to state averages of 39.6%, 43.3%, and 44%, respectively. Additionally, 97.83% of Crescent Academy students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the 44.21% to 80.67% range of nearby schools.
While Crescent Academy spends more per student ($12,572 in 2022-2023) than the state average, this has not translated into improved academic outcomes. Interestingly, the school's African American students perform better relative to the state average compared to the overall school ranking, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership, teacher quality, and student engagement, may be contributing to the persistent underperformance. Nearby schools with similar demographics, such as MacArthur K8 University Academy, have significantly higher proficiency rates, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the educational needs of this community.
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