Fordson High School

Summary:

Fordson High School is a public high school located in Dearborn, Michigan, serving 2,339 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Dearborn City School District, which is ranked 302 out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Fordson High School faces significant challenges, with a consistently low academic performance ranking in the bottom half of Michigan high schools and a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger in recent years. The school has a high percentage of White students (over 97%) compared to the more diverse student populations in nearby schools, such as Henry Ford Early College/Advanced Manufacturing and Dearborn Newcomer College Prep Academy, which have higher academic performance and graduation rates. Fordson High School also struggles with a high dropout rate, reaching 3.8% in the 2022-2023 school year, and a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, from 8.1% in 2017-2018 to 22.6% in 2022-2023.

The school's challenges may be linked to its high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with over 85% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Fordson High School's performance is particularly low for English Language Learner (ELL) students, who rank in the bottom 10% of Michigan high schools in this category. Despite a significant increase in per-student spending, from $10,746 in 2019-2020 to $15,828 in 2022-2023, the school has not seen improved academic outcomes. Addressing the needs of specific student subgroups and tackling chronic absenteeism could be crucial steps in improving Fordson High School's performance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 13800 Ford Rd
       Dearborn, MI  48126-3209


(313) 827-1400

District: Dearborn City School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
545th of 743 Michigan High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,828 Help


Feeder schools for Fordson High School:

Elementary:    Iris Becker Elementary School
    Lowrey Elementary School
    McCollough Elementary School
    McDonald Elementary School
    More...
Middle:    Lowrey Middle School
    Unis Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.5 Help
Number of students:  2,339

Racial breakdown:

White:
98.2%
African American:
0.6%
Asian:
0.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  85.3% Help


 See top rated Michigan high schools

 Compare Fordson High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Fordson High School ranks worse than 73.4% of high schools in Michigan. It also ranks 5th among 6 ranked high schools in the Dearborn City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.09. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Fordson High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Fordson High School has the largest high school student body size in the Dearborn City School District. Racial makeup is: White (98.2%), Asian (0.6%), African American (0.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 85.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Dearborn City School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fordson High School is 19.5. 3 high schools in the Dearborn City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Fordson High School employs 119.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fordson High School is $15,828. 4 high schools in the Dearborn City School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Fordson High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Fordson High School 545th of 743 Michigan public high schools. (See Fordson High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Dearborn City School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Dearborn City School District 302nd of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Fordson High School.

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Your rating for Fordson High School?

Rank History for Fordson High School

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Rank History for all students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 30.10 551st 705 21.8%
2007 35.90 549th 767 28.4%
2008 37.60 535th 750 28.7%
2009 43.66 498th 754 34.0%
2010 45.47 502nd 765 34.4%
2011 38.05 548th 784 30.1%
2012 35.90 525th 773 32.1%
2013 45.77 466th 805 42.1%
2014 37.66 519th 799 35.0%
2015 61.61 329th 832 60.5%
2016 31.59 552nd 852 35.2%
2017 35.62 491st 835 41.2%
2018 44.43 450th 824 45.4%
2019 33.83 449th 666 32.6%
2021 44.66 293rd 561 47.8%
2022 35.78 385th 531 27.5%
2023 19.84 591st 735 19.6%
2024 26.09 545th 743 26.6%
See the entire list of Michigan High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.91 91st 102 10.8%
2019 16.89 27th 27 0.0%
2023 14.72 34th 35 2.9%
2024 14.80 41st 43 4.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.85 120th 315 61.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.41 280th 755 62.9%
2019 46.87 288th 532 45.9%
2021 61.12 134th 417 67.9%
2022 50.20 204th 369 44.7%
2023 23.96 496th 614 19.2%
2024 35.27 427th 654 34.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.92 422nd 710 40.6%
2019 21.03 456th 554 17.7%
2021 48.41 225th 462 51.3%
2022 29.86 344th 416 17.3%
2023 15.58 522nd 611 14.6%
2024 27.21 452nd 619 27.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.35 443rd 707 37.3%
2019 35.06 370th 543 31.9%
2021 29.94 340th 472 28.0%
2022 29.98 343rd 440 22.0%
2023 15.80 527th 611 13.7%
2024 17.19 542nd 633 14.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Fordson High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.90 501st 708 29.2%
2019 22.44 468th 582 19.6%
2021 33.33 352nd 516 31.8%
2022 24.76 409th 492 16.9%
2023 11.16 598th 647 7.6%
2024 15.16 566th 638 11.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High 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.

Fordson High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.6)
40%

20%

20%

0%

20%

  

Reviews:
Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, December 19, 2011

Open Quote Based on a precentage of screwballs and the humane... Close Quote


by a student
Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Open Quote Its actually a pretty good school, yu get along with most of the teacher's. The teacher's stay after school to help with any problems you face in the class. You can get along with most of the students there, although there attitudes get them in a lot of trouble... well.... lets not mention it anymore... Close Quote



Enrollment information for Fordson High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1798 3 11 37 5 n/a n/a 0 1854
1989 1720 4 14 41 4 n/a n/a 0 1783
1990 1614 5 14 44 0 n/a n/a 0 1677
1991 1509 3 11 24 8 n/a n/a 23 1578
1992 1479 4 20 26 3 n/a n/a 0 1532
1993 1407 1 9 28 0 n/a n/a 0 1445
1994 1397 3 7 28 1 n/a n/a 0 1436
1995 1514 4 11 32 2 n/a n/a 0 1563
1996 1514 4 11 32 2 n/a n/a 0 1563
1997 1627 10 14 33 3 n/a n/a -20 1667
1998 1719 9 13 39 5 n/a n/a -39 1746
1999 1750 11 10 25 0 n/a n/a 0 1796
2000 1823 12 9 33 0 n/a n/a 0 1877
2001 1896 8 8 37 0 n/a n/a 0 1949
2002 2054 23 11 40 5 n/a n/a 0 2133
2003 2054 23 11 40 5 n/a n/a 0 2133
2004 2140 46 11 36 4 n/a n/a 0 2237
2005 2163 60 10 42 3 n/a n/a 0 2278
2006 2210 70 8 31 2 n/a n/a 0 2321
2007 2386 75 12 33 5 n/a n/a 0 2511
2008 2271 68 14 27 n/a n/a n/a 0 2380
2009 2264 69 15 29 3 n/a n/a 0 2380
2010 2267 64 9 22 0 n/a n/a 0 2362
2011 2266 56 10 30 0 0 1 0 2363
2012 2301 59 15 26 1 0 1 0 2403
2013 2225 45 17 25 0 0 2 0 2314
2014 2288 36 18 24 2 0 2 0 2370
2015 2379 28 11 25 0 0 4 0 2447
2016 2403 22 13 21 0 0 3 0 2462
2017 2639 23 12 22 0 0 0 0 2696
2018 2736 17 9 28 0 0 0 0 2790
2019 2697 22 10 25 0 0 2 0 2756
2020 2574 34 10 17 0 0 1 0 2636
2021 2528 36 10 18 0 0 3 0 2595
2022 2381 27 12 13 0 0 2 0 2435
2023 2298 15 13 8 0 0 5 0 2339

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 Fordson High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1854 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1783 n/a n/a 12.3
1990 1677 117.0 14.3 11.3
1991 1578 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1532 n/a n/a 7
1993 1445 n/a 0.0 15
1994 1436 98.4 14.6 12.1
1995 1563 86.7 18.0 25.2
1996 1563 86.7 18.0 25.2
1997 1667 86.0 19.4 28.8
1998 1746 89.0 19.6 21.9
1999 1796 102.0 17.6 17.4
2000 1877 103.8 18.1 18
2001 1949 120.2 16.2 16.6
2002 2133 119.4 17.9 21.5
2003 2133 119.4 17.9 21.5
2004 2237 113.9 19.6 36.3
2005 2278 118.3 19.3 43.3
2006 2321 111.8 20.8 46.5
2007 2511 104.3 24.1 58.9
2008 2380 120.0 19.8 63.7
2009 2380 103.5 23.0 68.2
2010 2362 106.5 22.1 66.4
2011 2363 114.1 20.7 71.1
2012 2403 115.1 20.8 75.4
2013 2314 116.7 19.8 75.8
2014 2370 115.9 20.4 77.4
2015 2447 119.0 20.5 75.3
2016 2462 122.0 20.1 74.5
2017 2696 119.1 22.6 67.2
2018 2790 133.2 20.9 84.6
2019 2756 134.6 20.4 82.4
2020 2636 131.5 20.0 81.3
2021 2595 124.0 20.9 80.2
2022 2435 120.0 20.2 86
2023 2339 119.5 19.5 85.3

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 Fordson High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1854 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1783 n/a n/a 12.3
1990 1677 117.0 14.3 11.3
1991 1578 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1532 n/a n/a 7
1993 1445 n/a 0.0 15
1994 1436 98.4 14.6 12.1
1995 1563 86.7 18.0 25.2
1996 1563 86.7 18.0 25.2
1997 1667 86.0 19.4 28.8
1998 1746 89.0 19.6 21.9
1999 1796 102.0 17.6 17.4
2000 1877 103.8 18.1 18
2001 1949 120.2 16.2 16.6
2002 2133 119.4 17.9 21.5
2003 2133 119.4 17.9 21.5
2004 2237 113.9 19.6 36.3
2005 2278 118.3 19.3 43.3
2006 2321 111.8 20.8 46.5
2007 2511 104.3 24.1 58.9
2008 2380 120.0 19.8 63.7
2009 2380 103.5 23.0 68.2
2010 2362 106.5 22.1 66.4
2011 2363 114.1 20.7 71.1
2012 2403 115.1 20.8 75.4
2013 2314 116.7 19.8 75.8
2014 2370 115.9 20.4 77.4
2015 2447 119.0 20.5 75.3
2016 2462 122.0 20.1 74.5
2017 2696 119.1 22.6 67.2
2018 2790 133.2 20.9 84.6
2019 2756 134.6 20.4 82.4
2020 2636 131.5 20.0 81.3
2021 2595 124.0 20.9 80.2
2022 2435 120.0 20.2 86
2023 2339 119.5 19.5 85.3

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 Fordson High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,032 (9.7%) $9,634 (90.3%) $10,666
2020 $1,153 (10.7%) $9,594 (89.3%) $10,746
2021 $2,048 (17.5%) $9,636 (82.5%) $11,683
2022 $2,776 (20.6%) $10,714 (79.4%) $13,490
2023 $2,516 (15.9%) $13,313 (84.1%) $15,828

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Fordson High School

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 449th of 666 High schoolsRanks 591st of 735 High schools
 13%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade Social Studies (Fordson High School)35.718.2
 17.5%
   11th Grade Social Studies (Dearborn City School District)43.525.9
 17.6%
   11th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)46.636.1
 10.5%
11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Fordson High School)39.433.8
 5.6%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Dearborn City School District)48.843.1
 5.7%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Michigan)55.352.2
 3.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Fordson High School)32.820.3
 12.5%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Dearborn City School District)34.321.9
 12.4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)36.329.9
 6.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students27562339
 15.1%
African American2215
 31.8%
American Indian00
Asian1013
 30%
Hispanic258
 68%
Pacific Islander00
White26972298
 14.8%
Two or More Races25
 150%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients82.4%85.3%
 2.9%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Fordson High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,339 students attended Fordson High School.

Fordson High School ranks 545th of 743 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students at Fordson High School are 98% White.


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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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