Universal Learning Academy

Summary:

Universal Learning Academy is a public charter school in Westland, Michigan that serves 730 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school has maintained high graduation rates, ranging from 92.3% to 100% over the past five years, which is significantly higher than the state average. However, the school faces several challenges, including lower academic performance, higher chronic absenteeism, and a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.

Universal Learning Academy's proficiency rates on state assessments are significantly lower than the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts ranged from 5.17% to 20%, compared to the state averages of 37.5% to 44%. Similarly, in Mathematics, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 12.9% to 28.1%, compared to the state averages of 31% to 43.4%. When compared to the nearby Star International Academy, a charter school located about 2.5 miles away, Universal Learning Academy's performance is generally lower across key metrics such as graduation rates, dropout rates, chronic absenteeism, and test scores.

The school's spending per student has increased over the past four years, from $8,183 in 2019-2020 to $12,362 in 2022-2023. However, this spending level is still lower than some of the nearby alternative schools, such as Keeler School and Burger Development Center. Additionally, the school's student-teacher ratio has decreased from 19.3 in 2020-2021 to 16.2 in 2022-2023, which is still higher than the state average.


Detail:

Public, Charter, Alternative PK, KG-12

 28015 Joy Rd
       Westland, MI  48185-5525


(734) 402-5900

District: Universal Learning Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
1264th of 1,486 Michigan Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,362 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.2 Help
Number of students:  730

Racial breakdown:

White:
88.5%
African American:
8.8%
Two or more races:
1.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  94.9% Help


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 Compare Universal Learning Academy to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Universal Learning Academy ranks worse than 85.1% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.88. (See more...)
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Compare Details Universal Learning Academy ranks worse than 86.7% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.82. (See more...)
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Compare Details Universal Learning Academy ranks worse than 97.3% of high schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 4.56. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Universal Learning Academy freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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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: White (88.5%), African American (8.8%), two or more races (1.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 94.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Universal Learning Academy is 16.2. (See more...)
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Compare Universal Learning Academy employs 44.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Universal Learning Academy is $12,362.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Universal Learning Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Universal Learning Academy 1264th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Universal Learning Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Universal Learning Academy 778th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Universal Learning Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Universal Learning Academy 723rd of 743 Michigan public high schools. (See Universal Learning Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
White students:




What do you think?

Your rating for Universal Learning Academy?

Rank History for Universal Learning Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2010 31.63 1294th 1552 16.6%
2011 30.50 1286th 1552 17.1%
2012 23.86 1296th 1566 17.2%
2013 27.53 1227th 1563 21.5%
2014 27.52 1203rd 1533 21.5%
2015 46.36 900th 1580 43.0%
2016 41.34 933rd 1548 39.7%
2017 31.31 1004th 1466 31.5%
2018 29.92 1079th 1448 25.5%
2019 17.25 1172nd 1408 16.8%
2021 5.13 1135th 1153 1.6%
2022 8.56 1238th 1344 7.9%
2023 7.58 1376th 1470 6.4%
2024 13.88 1264th 1486 14.9%
See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.63 235th 270 13.0%
2019 20.76 100th 117 14.5%
2023 8.30 179th 180 0.6%
2024 20.43 151st 184 17.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.93 925th 1397 33.8%
2019 23.29 931st 1134 17.9%
2021 7.89 736th 749 1.7%
2022 12.88 1000th 1099 9.0%
2023 9.61 1278th 1350 5.3%
2024 18.59 1173rd 1381 15.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.86 1035th 1443 28.3%
2019 15.84 1025th 1171 12.5%
2021 5.45 891st 902 1.2%
2022 7.23 1070th 1106 3.3%
2023 9.44 1225th 1321 7.3%
2024 12.27 1206th 1342 10.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.94 1053rd 1446 27.2%
2019 13.92 1072nd 1196 10.4%
2024 16.16 1153rd 1347 14.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.29 1076th 1253 14.1%
2019 5.96 1111th 1128 1.5%
2021 2.77 1000th 1005 0.5%
2022 3.84 1094th 1102 0.7%
2023 2.92 1192nd 1198 0.5%
2024 6.53 1169th 1204 2.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Universal Learning Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 49.75 559th 858 34.8%
2012 30.88 686th 900 23.8%
2013 38.52 605th 919 34.2%
2014 30.08 687th 921 25.4%
2015 45.67 512th 919 44.3%
2016 20.67 706th 894 21.0%
2017 20.28 657th 821 20.0%
2018 31.21 611th 838 27.1%
2019 14.38 694th 792 12.4%
2021 5.59 667th 675 1.2%
2022 13.73 685th 776 11.7%
2023 12.66 776th 883 12.1%
2024 13.82 778th 897 13.3%
See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.89 118th 154 23.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.93 511th 815 37.3%
2019 20.46 578th 672 14.0%
2021 7.86 514th 523 1.7%
2022 22.66 562nd 691 18.7%
2023 18.44 700th 825 15.2%
2024 19.43 693rd 836 17.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.78 567th 794 28.6%
2019 16.74 568th 658 13.7%
2021 3.43 520th 521 0.2%
2022 14.94 579th 657 11.9%
2023 14.52 679th 770 11.8%
2024 23.56 599th 771 22.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.85 573rd 797 28.1%
2019 13.76 575th 639 10.0%
2023 10.80 711th 776 8.4%
2024 8.81 750th 786 4.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.72 590th 678 13.0%
2019 5.86 612th 624 1.9%
2021 1.95 577th 577 0.0%
2022 6.22 628th 638 1.6%
2023 5.25 678th 688 1.5%
2024 6.87 686th 701 2.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Universal Learning Academy

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Rank History for all high school students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2016 47.18 438th 852 48.6%
2017 38.31 467th 835 44.1%
2018 43.17 468th 824 43.2%
2023 24.91 549th 735 25.3%
2024 4.56 723rd 743 2.7%
See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school English Language Learner students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.15 10th 102 90.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.41 442nd 755 41.5%
2023 36.10 399th 614 35.0%
2024 5.83 632nd 654 3.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.01 362nd 710 49.0%
2023 12.98 537th 611 12.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 40.27 370th 611 39.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Universal Learning Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.50 496th 708 29.9%
2023 16.53 563rd 647 13.0%
2024 1.16 636th 638 0.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for White 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.

Universal Learning Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.3)
33%

0%

33%

33%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Open Quote There has been alot of turnover at this school this year...from the principal to almost all entirely new middle school/high school teachers. Something must be going on for this school to lose that many staff members. I am taking my child out of the school after this year. Many of the teachers that are there try hard, but many of the other students enrolled are troublemakers and constantly disrupt the classes. My child has a hard time even learning in this school because of the disruptions and nothing seems to be done about it...they just continue on as normal. We are not happy here at all!! Close Quote


by a teacher
Saturday, July 19, 2014

Open Quote I love working with these students.

However, the teachers are now in fear of loosing their jobs because of test scores. A teacher, who worked there longer than 90% of the teachers in the building, had a great rapport with the students, and managed them well in the class just got fired because of her test scores.

Any teacher, student, or administrator would explain how respected she was in the building. She fulfilled extra responsibilities just to help the administration. Unfortunately, none of them were asked before they did not renew her contract.

There are other teachers in the building that do not teach the students and instead just scream at them. Some teachers have had physical altercations with students and they are still in the building.

I am afraid of what this decision will do to the school system as a whole. Teachers may begin loosing focus on the students and instead only worry about the scantron test scores. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Universal Learning Academy

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2008 134 13 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 148
2009 370 32 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 407
2010 332 17 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 354
2011 344 23 0 3 1 0 4 0 375
2012 476 33 1 2 1 0 6 0 519
2013 550 58 1 7 0 0 8 0 624
2014 543 60 3 10 1 0 6 0 623
2015 599 67 9 13 1 0 13 0 702
2016 568 60 12 14 1 0 17 0 672
2017 583 62 13 13 1 0 14 0 686
2018 470 54 7 8 1 0 17 0 557
2019 523 61 10 7 0 0 14 0 615
2020 606 64 9 7 0 0 15 0 701
2021 662 68 14 5 0 0 15 0 764
2022 640 56 8 5 0 0 12 0 721
2023 646 64 3 4 0 0 13 0 730

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 Universal Learning Academy

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2008 148 7.2 20.6 89.2
2009 407 23.5 17.3 84
2010 354 22.4 15.7 92.9
2011 375 23.0 16.2 93.9
2012 519 30.2 17.1 89.6
2013 624 37.8 16.4 83.3
2014 623 41.1 15.1 86.5
2015 702 41.0 17.1 84.6
2016 672 46.0 14.6 77.7
2017 686 43.4 15.8 78.1
2018 557 39.6 14.0 77.7
2019 615 39.2 15.6 82.6
2020 701 39.0 17.9 91.6
2021 764 39.4 19.3 92.1
2022 721 37.9 19.0 95.4
2023 730 44.8 16.2 94.9

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 Universal Learning Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2008 148 7.2 20.6 89.2
2009 407 23.5 17.3 84
2010 354 22.4 15.7 92.9
2011 375 23.0 16.2 93.9
2012 519 30.2 17.1 89.6
2013 624 37.8 16.4 83.3
2014 623 41.1 15.1 86.5
2015 702 41.0 17.1 84.6
2016 672 46.0 14.6 77.7
2017 686 43.4 15.8 78.1
2018 557 39.6 14.0 77.7
2019 615 39.2 15.6 82.6
2020 701 39.0 17.9 91.6
2021 764 39.4 19.3 92.1
2022 721 37.9 19.0 95.4
2023 730 44.8 16.2 94.9

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 Universal Learning Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,118 (13.0%) $7,513 (87.0%) $8,631
2020 $1,206 (14.7%) $6,976 (85.2%) $8,183
2021 $2,886 (35.0%) $5,362 (65.0%) $8,248
2022 $4,196 (41.9%) $5,825 (58.1%) $10,020
2023 $3,352 (27.1%) $9,010 (72.9%) $12,362

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Universal Learning 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 1172nd of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 1376th of 1470 Elementary schools
 10.4%
Ranks 694th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 776th of 883 Middle schools
 0.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)31.312.1
 19.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)31.312.1
 19.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)31.310.3
 21%
   3rd Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)31.310.3
 21%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)2613.6
 12.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)2613.6
 12.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)268.5
 17.5%
   4th Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)268.5
 17.5%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)27.617.7
 9.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)27.617.7
 9.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)199.7
 9.3%
   5th Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)199.7
 9.3%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)24.57.1
 17.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)24.57.1
 17.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)27.912.7
 15.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)27.912.7
 15.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)8.29.1
 0.9%
   7th Grade Math (Universal Learning Academy)8.29.1
 0.9%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)4037.1
 2.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Universal Learning Academy)4037.1
 2.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Universal Learning Academy)12.714.3
 1.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Universal Learning Academy)12.714.3
 1.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%
11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Universal Learning Academy)41.230.8
 10.4%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Universal Learning Academy)41.230.8
 10.4%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Michigan)55.352.2
 3.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students615730
 18.7%
African American6164
 4.9%
American Indian00
Asian103
 70%
Hispanic74
 42.9%
Pacific Islander00
White523646
 23.5%
Two or More Races1413
 7.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients82.6%94.9%
 12.3%


Schools Near Universal Learning Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Universal Learning Academy

Students at Universal Learning Academy are 88% White, 9% African American, 2% Two or more races.

Universal Learning Academy ranks in the bottom 14.9% of Michigan alternative schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 730 students attended Universal Learning Academy.


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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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