Is University Yes Academy a good school?

University Yes Academy ranks in the bottom 11.3% of Michigan alternative schools.

How many students attend University Yes Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 365 students attended University Yes Academy.

What is the racial makeup of University Yes Academy?

Students at University Yes Academy are 98% African American, 1% Two or more races.

University Yes Academy

Summary:

University Yes Academy is an alternative public charter school in Detroit, Michigan that serves 365 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with a student population that is predominantly African American.

While University Yes Academy has increased its spending per student in recent years, the school faces significant challenges. It has experienced high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 24.0% in 2018-2019 to a peak of 82.1% in 2021-2022, which are much higher than the state average and nearby schools like AGBU AlexMarie Manoogian School and Joy Preparatory Academy. Additionally, the school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates on state assessments, is consistently lower than the state averages and the nearby schools, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math for grades 3-7 ranging from 12.5% to 23.8%, compared to the state averages of 37.5% to 44%.

The high chronic absenteeism rates and economic disadvantage of the student population, with 94.79% to 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance. As an alternative school, University Yes Academy may face unique challenges in serving a student population that may have experienced educational or personal difficulties, and tailored interventions and support systems could be necessary to address the specific needs of these students. Addressing these underlying issues and learning from the successes of nearby schools could be crucial in improving the educational outcomes for the students at University Yes Academy.

Detail:

Public, Charter, Alternative K-12

14717 Curtis St
Detroit, MI 48235

(313) 270-2556

District: University Yes Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
1318^th of 1,486 Michigan Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,112

Student/teacher ratio: 39.2

Number of students: 365

Racial breakdown:

African American:

98.4%

Two or more races:

1.1%

White:

0.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 94.8%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare University Yes Academy to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details University Yes Academy ranks worse than 88.7% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.67. (See more...)

Compare Details University Yes Academy ranks worse than 91.1% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.06. (See more...)

Compare Details University Yes Academy is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2016 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.15. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a 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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (98.4%), two or more races (1.1%), White (0.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 94.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at University Yes Academy is 39.2. (See more...)

Compare University Yes Academy employs 9.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at University Yes Academy is $14,112.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

University Yes Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks University Yes Academy 1318^th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See University Yes Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

SchoolDigger ranks University Yes Academy 817^th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See University Yes Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

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Your rating for University Yes Academy?

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Rank History for University Yes Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2013	5.93	1522^nd	1563	2.6%
2014	4.19	1516^th	1533	1.1%
2015	8.04	1503^rd	1580	4.9%
2016	6.14	1492^nd	1548	3.6%
2017	5.57	1418^th	1466	3.3%
2018	12.12	1323^rd	1448	8.6%
2019	4.66	1374^th	1408	2.4%
2023	5.82	1426^th	1470	3.0%
2024	11.67	1318^th	1486	11.3%

See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	18.36	1210^th	1397	13.4%
2019	6.64	1106^th	1134	2.5%
2023	9.08	1286^th	1350	4.7%
2024	16.24	1213^th	1381	12.2%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	12.42	1295^th	1443	10.3%
2019	3.89	1162^nd	1171	0.8%
2023	12.59	1183^rd	1321	10.4%
2024	10.84	1232^nd	1342	8.2%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	13.06	1277^th	1446	11.7%
2024	12.12	1212^th	1347	10.0%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	39.83	272^nd	475	42.7%
2019	16.27	197^th	212	7.1%
2023	18.18	282^nd	321	12.1%
2024	33.34	216^th	348	37.9%

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 University Yes Academy

Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2013	9.44	857^th	919	6.7%
2014	5.65	895^th	921	2.8%
2015	9.18	848^th	919	7.7%
2016	5.80	867^th	894	3.0%
2017	17.69	685^th	821	16.6%
2018	21.61	691^st	838	17.5%
2019	6.20	761^st	792	3.9%
2022	6.54	750^th	776	3.4%
2023	7.06	848^th	883	4.0%
2024	11.06	817^th	897	8.9%

See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	27.73	621^st	815	23.8%
2019	8.40	645^th	672	4.0%
2022	9.05	661^st	691	4.3%
2023	9.15	787^th	825	4.6%
2024	14.21	753^rd	836	9.9%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	25.19	605^th	794	23.8%
2019	6.68	637^th	658	3.2%
2024	8.35	738^th	771	4.3%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	17.05	664^th	797	16.7%
2024	17.45	661^st	786	15.9%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at University Yes Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	46.17	172^nd	366	53.0%
2019	18.70	176^th	196	10.2%
2022	21.34	157^th	182	13.7%
2023	18.79	273^rd	310	11.9%
2024	29.10	206^th	300	31.3%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Alternative Schools for African American Students!

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

Rank History for University Yes Academy

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2016	8.15	746^th	852	12.4%

See the entire list of Michigan Alternative School Rankings!

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

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for University Yes Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Two or More Races	Total
2011	0	94	0	0	0	0	94
2012	0	269	0	0	0	0	269
2013	0	364	0	0	0	0	364
2014	0	666	0	0	0	0	666
2015	0	818	0	0	0	0	818
2016	1	907	0	1	1	0	910
2017	0	606	0	2	1	0	609
2018	1	562	1	0	0	0	564
2019	0	554	0	0	0	0	554
2020	0	533	0	0	0	5	538
2021	1	456	0	0	0	5	462
2022	1	493	0	0	0	2	496
2023	2	359	0	0	0	4	365

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 University Yes Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2011	94	7.5	12.5	81.9
2012	269	13.0	20.6	82.9
2013	364	19.0	19.1	86
2014	666	34.4	19.3	88.4
2015	818	41.0	19.9	79.6
2016	910	47.0	19.3	73.6
2017	609	20.0	30.4	77.5
2018	564	17.6	32.0	80.5
2019	554	13.6	40.7	79.4
2020	538	15.0	35.8	93.9
2021	462	15.8	29.2	100
2022	496	11.3	43.8	95.6
2023	365	9.3	39.2	94.8

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 University Yes Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2011	94	7.5	12.5	81.9
2012	269	13.0	20.6	82.9
2013	364	19.0	19.1	86
2014	666	34.4	19.3	88.4
2015	818	41.0	19.9	79.6
2016	910	47.0	19.3	73.6
2017	609	20.0	30.4	77.5
2018	564	17.6	32.0	80.5
2019	554	13.6	40.7	79.4
2020	538	15.0	35.8	93.9
2021	462	15.8	29.2	100
2022	496	11.3	43.8	95.6
2023	365	9.3	39.2	94.8

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 University Yes Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,102 (11.9%)	$8,138 (88.1%)	$9,240
2020	$1,108 (12.2%)	$7,954 (87.8%)	$9,062
2021	$2,113 (18.9%)	$9,064 (81.1%)	$11,178
2022	$1,399 (13.5%)	$8,936 (86.5%)	$10,335
2023	$3,920 (27.8%)	$10,192 (72.2%)	$14,112

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on University Yes 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 1374^th of 1408 Elementary schools	Ranks 1426^th of 1470 Elementary schools	0.6%
Ranks 761^st of 792 Middle schools	Ranks 848^th of 883 Middle schools	0%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	10.6	16.3	5.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	10.6	16.3	5.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	45.1	40.9	4.2%
3rd Grade Math (University Yes Academy)	17	11.6	5.4%
3rd Grade Math (University Yes Academy)	17	11.6	5.4%
3rd Grade Math (Michigan)	46.7	42.9	3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	14.5	7	7.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	14.5	7	7.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	45.8	44.3	1.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	16.7	10.5	6.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	16.7	10.5	6.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	46.2	43.9	2.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	12.5	6.3	6.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	12.5	6.3	6.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	41.7	37.5	4.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	21.2	17.1	4.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	21.2	17.1	4.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	42.7	36.9	5.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	21.7	18.4	3.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (University Yes Academy)	21.7	18.4	3.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	61.9	59.7	2.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	554	365	34.1%
African American	554	359	35.2%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	0	0
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	0	2
Two or More Races	0	4
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	79.4%	94.8%	15.4%

Schools Near University Yes Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				PSAT English Language Arts (2024)	PSAT Mathematics (2024)	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2024)	SAT Mathematics (2024)	M-Step English Language Arts (2024)					M-Step Math (2024)					M-Step Science (2024)			M-Step Social Studies (2024)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
University Yes Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	14717 Curtis St	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	University Yes Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 270-2556	365	9	39.2	94.8%	2 (0.5%)	359 (98.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.1%)								(n/a)	38.0				12.5	21.7	23.8	16.0	12.5	25.0	8.7				9.5	8.0					$14,112	$3,920	$10,192
David Ellis Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	18977 Schaefer Hwy	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	David Ellis Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 450-0642	200	9	23.5	89.5%	0 (0.0%)	200 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	81.0	33.3			42.1	21.7	45.8	17.4	43.5	15.8	13.0			21.7	25.0	28.6					$18,843	$6,668	$12,175
DPSCD Virtual School	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	9026 Woodward Ave	Detroit	48202	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	Yes	No	(313) 873-6897	348	34	10.3	77.9%	7 (2.0%)	315 (90.5%)	23 (6.6%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)								(n/a)	38.5		25.0					31.8		25.0											$25,854	$18,609	$7,245
The School at Marygrove	Public, Alternative	K-12	8425 W McNichols Rd	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 335-1331	482	29	16.6	66.6%	3 (0.6%)	474 (98.3%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)								(n/a)			45.6	5.9	37.5					59.4							34.8			37.3	$19,574	$6,677	$12,897
NOVA Discipline Academy	Public, Alternative	2-12	13900 Granzon St	Oak Park	48237	Oakland County	Oak Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(248) 336-7650	174	8	21.7	90.8%	4 (2.3%)	168 (96.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																					$16,751	$2,580	$14,171
AGBU AlexMarie Manoogian School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	22001 Northwestern Hwy	Southfield	48075	Oakland County	AGBU Alex-Marie Manoogian School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(248) 569-2988	425	21	20.4	58.6%	418 (98.4%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	64.3	35.7	44.7	23.4	57.1	38.5	48.1	47.1	61.3	71.4	57.7	48.1	47.1	41.9	33.3	21.4	23.4	18.5	17.9	27.7	$13,030	$00	$13,030
Kennedy Learning Center	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	16229 Mount Vernon St	Southfield	48075	Oakland County	Southfield Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(248) 746-8828	40	8	5.0	45.0%	3 (7.5%)	34 (85.0%)	2 (5.0%)	1 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																					$43,447	$6,275	$37,171
Joy Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	15055 Dexter Ave	Detroit	48238	Wayne County	Joy Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 340-0023	179	15	11.6	99.4%	0 (0.0%)	177 (98.9%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)					14.8	25.0	25.0	45.0		29.6	25.0		15.0								$18,781	$6,841	$11,941
Edison	Public, Alternative	K-12	1650 Mapledale St	Ferndale	48220	Oakland County	Hazel Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	No	(248) 658-5400	48	11	4.5	64.6%	26 (54.2%)	15 (31.3%)	3 (6.3%)	1 (2.1%)	1 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.2%)								(n/a)																					$92,064	$905	$91,159
Webb Elementary School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2100 Woodward Hts	Ferndale	48220	Oakland County	Hazel Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(248) 658-5902	327	30	10.7	77.7%	158 (48.3%)	118 (36.1%)	17 (5.2%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	28 (8.6%)								(n/a)					25.5	27.8	33.3			25.5	14.3	19.4			22.9						$20,351	$2,182	$18,169

University Yes Academy

University Yes Academy:

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

What do you think?

Rank History for University Yes Academy

Rank History for all elementary school students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for elementary school Female students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for elementary school Male students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for elementary school African American students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for University Yes Academy

Rank History for all middle school students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for middle school Female students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for middle school Male students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for middle school African American students at University Yes Academy

Rank History for University Yes Academy

Enrollment information for University Yes Academy

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at University Yes Academy

Student/Teacher Ratio University Yes Academy

Per Pupil Expenditures for University Yes Academy

Impact of COVID-19 on University Yes Academy

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near University Yes Academy

Frequently Asked Questions about University Yes Academy

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