Summary:
MacDowell Preparatory Academy is a public charter elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Detroit, Michigan, with a student population of 368 as of the 2022-2023 school year, and a predominantly African American student body (98.37%).
Despite the school's relatively high per-student spending of $14,604, MacDowell Preparatory Academy consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Michigan, with proficiency rates on state assessments significantly below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 14.7% of 5th graders were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 44%. The school also faces extremely high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching as high as 72.5% in the 2021-2022 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average and the surrounding schools. Interestingly, nearby schools such as Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies and Bates Academy, which serve similar student populations, significantly outperform MacDowell Preparatory Academy on academic measures.
The data analysis of MacDowell Preparatory Academy reveals several concerning trends, including its consistently low academic performance, high chronic absenteeism rates, and the fact that it serves a student population that is overwhelmingly from low-income backgrounds, with over 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. These factors, combined with the stark contrast between MacDowell Preparatory Academy and the nearby higher-performing schools, highlight the need for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to address the systemic issues facing this school, focusing on improving attendance, providing targeted academic interventions, and addressing the unique needs of the low-income student population.
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