How many students attend MacDowell Preparatory Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 368 students attended MacDowell Preparatory Academy.

What is the racial makeup of MacDowell Preparatory Academy?

Students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy are 98% African American.

MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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.

Detail:

Public, Charter PK, KG-8

4201 W Outer Dr
Detroit, MI 48221-1457

(313) 494-8141

District: MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,604

Student/teacher ratio: 17.5

Number of students: 368

Racial breakdown:

African American:

98.4%

White:

0.8%

Hispanic:

0.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 99.5%

See top rated Michigan public schools

Compare MacDowell Preparatory Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

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

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.74. (See more...)

Compare Details MacDowell Preparatory Academy ranks worse than 92.6% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 9.13. (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%), White (0.8%), Hispanic (0.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 99.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at MacDowell Preparatory Academy is 17.5. (See more...)

Compare MacDowell Preparatory Academy employs 21 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at MacDowell Preparatory Academy is $14,604.

Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

MacDowell Preparatory Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks MacDowell Preparatory Academy 831^st of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See MacDowell Preparatory Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

African American students:

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Rank History for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2015	7.29	1516^th	1580	4.1%
2016	8.55	1433^rd	1548	7.4%
2017	4.58	1438^th	1466	1.9%
2018	8.16	1398^th	1448	3.5%
2019	7.63	1323^rd	1408	6.0%
2023	6.74	1400^th	1470	4.8%

See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	11.23	1308^th	1397	6.4%
2019	11.95	1054^th	1134	7.1%
2023	9.41	1279^th	1350	5.3%

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

Rank History for elementary school Female students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	8.70	1367^th	1443	5.3%
2019	11.18	1092^nd	1171	6.7%

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

Rank History for elementary school Male students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	8.15	1370^th	1446	5.3%
2023	5.01	1315^th	1334	1.4%

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

Rank History for elementary school African American students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	26.31	384^th	475	19.2%
2019	27.21	151^st	212	28.8%
2023	17.95	284^th	321	11.5%

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

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

Rank History for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2015	11.50	814^th	919	11.4%
2016	8.73	818^th	894	8.5%
2017	17.34	686^th	821	16.4%
2018	11.85	768^th	838	8.4%
2019	7.14	753^rd	792	4.9%
2022	8.99	733^rd	776	5.5%
2023	6.41	852^nd	883	3.5%
2024	9.13	831^st	897	7.4%

See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	15.66	716^th	815	12.1%
2019	9.66	640^th	672	4.8%
2022	13.20	642^nd	691	7.1%
2024	15.84	744^th	836	11.0%

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

Rank History for middle school Female students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	10.22	722^nd	794	9.1%

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

Rank History for middle school Male students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	13.78	698^th	797	12.4%

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

Rank History for middle school African American students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	32.07	239^th	366	34.7%
2019	25.10	156^th	196	20.4%
2022	28.13	133^rd	182	26.9%
2023	19.26	268^th	310	13.5%
2024	24.17	234^th	300	22.0%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary 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.

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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Year	White	African American	Hispanic	Pacific Islander	Total
2013	0	513	0	0	513
2014	0	369	3	0	372
2015	0	403	3	0	406
2016	0	356	0	0	356
2017	0	325	0	0	325
2018	0	343	0	0	343
2019	1	365	0	0	366
2020	1	380	0	0	381
2021	1	359	1	0	361
2022	1	327	2	0	330
2023	3	362	2	1	368

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 MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2013	513	19.5	26.3	82.7
2014	372	23.0	16.1	83.1
2015	406	16.0	25.3	86.7
2016	356	18.0	19.7	89.3
2017	325	12.3	26.3	97.2
2018	343	16.3	21.0	98.8
2019	366	17.5	20.9	98.6
2020	381	18.5	20.5	99.2
2021	361	20.0	18.0	97
2022	330	0.0	n/a	96.4
2023	368	21.0	17.5	99.5

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 MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2013	513	19.5	26.3	82.7
2014	372	23.0	16.1	83.1
2015	406	16.0	25.3	86.7
2016	356	18.0	19.7	89.3
2017	325	12.3	26.3	97.2
2018	343	16.3	21.0	98.8
2019	366	17.5	20.9	98.6
2020	381	18.5	20.5	99.2
2021	361	20.0	18.0	97
2022	330	0.0	n/a	96.4
2023	368	21.0	17.5	99.5

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 MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$996 (11.0%)	$8,090 (89.0%)	$9,087
2020	$1,467 (15.0%)	$8,319 (85.0%)	$9,786
2021	$1,763 (18.4%)	$7,824 (81.6%)	$9,587
2022	$3,165 (33.3%)	$6,344 (66.7%)	$9,509
2023	$3,458 (23.7%)	$11,146 (76.3%)	$14,604

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on MacDowell Preparatory 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 1323^rd of 1408 Elementary schools	Ranks 1400^th of 1470 Elementary schools	1.3%
Ranks 753^rd of 792 Middle schools	Ranks 852^nd of 883 Middle schools	1.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	21.4	9.1	12.3%
3rd Grade Math (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	21.4	9.1	12.3%
3rd Grade Math (Michigan)	46.7	42.9	3.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	23.1	7.1	16%
5th Grade English Language Arts (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	23.1	7.1	16%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	46.2	43.9	2.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	11.5	10	1.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	11.5	10	1.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	42.7	36.9	5.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	32.7	24.3	8.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (MacDowell Preparatory Academy)	32.7	24.3	8.4%
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	366	368	0.5%
African American	365	362	0.8%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	0	2
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	1	3	200%
Two or More Races	0	0
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	98.6%	99.5%	0.8%

Schools Near MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				PSAT English Language Arts (2024)	PSAT 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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th 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 Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
MacDowell Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	4201 W Outer Dr	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	MacDowell Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 494-8141	368	21	17.5	99.5%	3 (0.8%)	362 (98.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	11.1				14.7	11.9	7.9							22.2			$14,604	$3,458	$11,146
Bates Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	19701 Wyoming St	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 494-7000	755	40	18.6	57.7%	0 (0.0%)	752 (99.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	84.5	193^rd of 1486 public elementary schools	87.0%		78.6	267^th of 1470 public elementary schools	81.8%	74	77.5	36.0	51.4	76.3	75.0	59.8	52.7	70.3	70.0	51.3	44.1	53.3	64.5	44.4	22.4	28.9	$19,563	$6,215	$13,348
Vernor Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	13726 Pembroke Ave	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 494-7342	328	22	15.0	86.9%	0 (0.0%)	327 (99.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	12.3	1301^st of 1486 public elementary schools	12.4%		6.8	1398^th of 1470 public elementary schools	4.9%	97	17.2		10.6	8.7	16.0	19.4	8.8		8.9						20.8	13.8	$19,894	$6,391	$13,503
Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology	Public	PK, KG-6	8100 Curtis St	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 494-7175	368	22	16.8	88.0%	2 (0.5%)	357 (97.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.4%)	13	1287^th of 1486 public elementary schools	13.4%		21.5	1122^nd of 1470 public elementary schools	23.7%	165			17.9	22.0	10.7	10.0		33.3	19.0	14.5			11.1				$19,701	$6,274	$13,427
Pasteur Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	19811 Stoepel St	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 494-7314	312	24	12.9	88.5%	3 (1.0%)	309 (99.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9.7	1350^th of 1486 public elementary schools	9.2%		10.5	1307^th of 1470 public elementary schools	11.1%	43					17.0	18.9		10.8		6.4	10.8		10.6		6.4		$24,533	$7,822	$16,711
Martin Luther King Junior Education Center Academy	Public, Magnet, Charter	K-8	16827 Appoline St	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	Martin Luther King Junior Education Center Academy	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	(313) 341-4944	380	9	42.2	90.8%	0 (0.0%)	376 (98.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	23.6	1108^th of 1486 public elementary schools	25.4%		25.2	1070^th of 1470 public elementary schools	27.2%	38	43.5		7.9	23.5	15.4	15.8	23.8	17.9					80.8	82.6			$14,149	$2,561	$11,588
AdamsYoung Building	Public, Charter	K-5	13130 Grove St	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	Lincoln-King Adams-Young Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(734) 734-7193	447	13	34.3	99.6%	0 (0.0%)	443 (99.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	5.4	1456^th of 1486 public elementary schools	2.0%		7.4	1389^th of 1470 public elementary schools	5.5%	67			8.6	8.3	9.0			19.0	4.8	3.4			6.7		3.4		$00	$00	$00
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	3901 Margareta St	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 494-7300	425	30	14.1	72.9%	32 (7.5%)	380 (89.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.6%)	18.8	1184^th of 1486 public elementary schools	20.3%		14.9	1238^th of 1470 public elementary schools	15.8%	54	25.4	4.5	37.9	38.1	13.5	22.2	9.1	20.7	23.8	11.5		9.0	19.6	10.6			$21,725	$6,335	$15,390
Lessenger Early Childhood Center	Public	PK-K	12901 Albany St	Oak Park	48237	Oakland County	Oak Park School District of the City of	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(248) 336-7610	27	12	2.3	92.6%	1 (3.7%)	23 (85.2%)	3 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																	$36,241	$4,219	$32,022
Einstein Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	14001 Northend Ave	Oak Park	48237	Oakland County	Oak Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(248) 336-7640	416	23	18.0	88.2%	6 (1.4%)	394 (94.7%)	7 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	5	1462^nd of 1486 public elementary schools	1.6%		9.4	1335^th of 1470 public elementary schools	9.2%	127			6.9	10.6	14.3			8.3									$19,024	$2,245	$16,779

MacDowell Preparatory Academy

MacDowell Preparatory Academy:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

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Rank History for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for all elementary school students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for elementary school Female students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for elementary school Male students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for elementary school African American students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for all middle school students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for middle school Female students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for middle school Male students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rank History for middle school African American students at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Enrollment information for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Student/Teacher Ratio MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Per Pupil Expenditures for MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Impact of COVID-19 on MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near MacDowell Preparatory Academy

Frequently Asked Questions about MacDowell Preparatory Academy

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