Oakley W Best Middle School

Summary:

Oakley W Best Middle School is a public middle school located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of 586. The school is part of the Dearborn Heights School District #7, which is ranked 519 out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Oakley W Best Middle School faces significant challenges, with a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, consistently low academic performance across all grade levels and subject areas, and significant achievement gaps among student subgroups. For example, in 2023-2024, only 13.2% of 6th-grade students were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 37.5%, and the school's math proficiency rates for 6th and 7th grades were 11.5% and 8.1%, respectively. The school's performance is notably lower than many of the nearby middle schools, such as Dearborn STEM Middle School and Bryant Middle School, which consistently outperform Oakley W Best Middle School across multiple academic measures.

Despite a significant increase in per-student spending, from $9,224 in 2019-2020 to $15,890 in 2022-2023, the school's academic outcomes have not improved. This suggests that factors beyond funding, such as student engagement, instructional quality, and resource allocation, may be contributing to the school's challenges. Addressing these issues will be crucial for Oakley W Best Middle School to improve and better serve its students, the majority of whom come from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 22201 Powers Ave
       Dearborn Heights, MI  48125-2548


(313) 203-3200

District: Dearborn Heights School District #7

SchoolDigger Rank:
755th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,890 Help


Students who attend Oakley W Best Middle School usually attend:

High:    Annapolis High School

Feeder schools for Oakley W Best Middle School:

Elementary:    Bedford School
    Pardee School
    Polk Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.2 Help
Number of students:  586

Racial breakdown:

White:
59.6%
African American:
21.3%
Hispanic:
12.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Oakley W Best Middle School ranks worse than 84.2% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.56. (See more...)
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 Student population at Oakley W Best Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (59.6%), African American (21.3%), Hispanic (12.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 81.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Oakley W Best Middle School is 19.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Oakley W Best Middle School employs 30.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Oakley W Best Middle School is $15,890.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Oakley W Best Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Oakley W Best Middle School 755th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Oakley W Best Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Dearborn Heights School District #7:

SchoolDigger ranks Dearborn Heights School District #7 519th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Oakley W Best Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 55.86 453rd 806 43.8%
2007 46.89 571st 823 30.6%
2008 48.31 564th 839 32.8%
2009 57.59 482nd 847 43.1%
2010 65.10 380th 851 55.3%
2011 60.10 428th 858 50.1%
2012 40.83 578th 900 35.8%
2013 44.39 545th 919 40.7%
2014 36.71 628th 921 31.8%
2015 46.85 496th 919 46.0%
2016 34.02 595th 894 33.4%
2017 24.67 618th 821 24.7%
2018 29.94 627th 838 25.2%
2019 20.26 652nd 792 17.7%
2021 14.65 606th 675 10.2%
2022 16.84 645th 776 16.9%
2023 14.78 748th 883 15.3%
2024 15.56 755th 897 15.8%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.45 67th 154 56.5%
2023 42.52 37th 72 48.6%
2024 28.33 63rd 88 28.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.07 152nd 377 59.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.68 570th 815 30.1%
2019 24.73 549th 672 18.3%
2021 17.84 476th 523 9.0%
2022 24.25 547th 691 20.8%
2023 18.12 701st 825 15.0%
2024 18.87 700th 836 16.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.48 581st 794 26.8%
2019 16.56 570th 658 13.4%
2021 13.84 486th 521 6.7%
2022 11.59 607th 657 7.6%
2023 10.47 703rd 770 8.7%
2024 12.83 697th 771 9.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.44 575th 797 27.9%
2019 17.15 552nd 639 13.6%
2021 10.36 512th 540 5.2%
2022 14.30 585th 658 11.1%
2023 14.26 684th 776 11.9%
2024 13.23 698th 786 11.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.85 158th 366 56.8%
2019 26.53 154th 196 21.4%
2022 34.59 113th 182 37.9%
2023 25.21 234th 310 24.5%
2024 22.10 243rd 300 19.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.36 193rd 266 27.4%
2019 48.88 68th 137 50.4%
2022 24.11 106th 138 23.2%
2023 27.06 189th 246 23.2%
2024 22.48 215th 257 16.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Oakley W Best Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.50 575th 678 15.2%
2019 15.44 559th 624 10.4%
2021 16.93 507th 577 12.1%
2022 13.34 586th 638 8.2%
2023 8.61 667th 688 3.1%
2024 8.55 672nd 701 4.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle 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.

Oakley W Best Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Oakley W Best Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 507 0 5 1 1 n/a n/a 0 514
1989 499 0 6 3 2 n/a n/a 0 510
1990 477 0 4 5 2 n/a n/a 0 488
1991 488 0 6 10 2 n/a n/a 0 506
1992 480 2 2 11 1 n/a n/a 0 496
1993 478 3 5 5 2 n/a n/a 0 493
1994 452 3 5 8 3 n/a n/a 0 471
1995 471 2 3 7 2 n/a n/a 0 485
1996 471 2 3 7 2 n/a n/a 0 485
1997 479 3 4 3 1 n/a n/a 0 490
1998 450 4 10 5 1 n/a n/a 0 470
1999 506 4 9 10 2 n/a n/a 0 531
2000 525 6 10 15 5 n/a n/a 0 561
2001 560 9 7 14 5 n/a n/a 0 595
2002 693 46 9 42 8 n/a n/a 0 798
2003 693 46 9 42 8 n/a n/a 0 798
2004 670 40 7 40 6 n/a n/a 0 763
2005 615 46 5 43 2 n/a n/a 0 711
2006 569 67 2 45 5 n/a n/a 0 688
2007 574 90 0 47 6 n/a n/a 0 717
2008 562 95 4 48 5 n/a n/a 0 714
2009 524 96 6 48 4 n/a n/a 0 678
2010 534 95 7 57 2 n/a n/a 0 695
2011 557 151 7 61 2 0 11 0 789
2012 538 149 7 65 2 0 10 0 771
2013 504 141 6 54 3 0 8 0 716
2014 485 134 6 56 7 0 7 0 695
2015 409 141 10 50 6 0 8 0 624
2016 404 131 6 60 6 0 13 0 620
2017 392 138 3 69 4 0 13 0 619
2018 358 131 1 77 4 1 6 0 578
2019 387 140 1 85 2 1 10 0 626
2020 377 135 1 91 8 0 21 0 633
2021 338 118 2 94 7 0 21 0 580
2022 334 103 2 84 8 0 23 0 554
2023 349 125 6 71 5 0 30 0 586

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 Oakley W Best Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 514 n/a n/a n/a
1989 510 n/a n/a 11
1990 488 23.0 21.2 8.8
1991 506 n/a n/a n/a
1992 496 n/a n/a 17.3
1993 493 n/a 0.0 19.3
1994 471 22.0 21.4 16.6
1995 485 20.3 23.9 24.7
1996 485 20.3 23.9 24.7
1997 490 21.0 23.3 24.5
1998 470 22.0 21.4 23.4
1999 531 23.0 23.1 17.5
2000 561 25.7 21.8 26.4
2001 595 28.1 21.2 31.1
2002 798 34.7 23.0 45.2
2003 798 34.7 23.0 45.2
2004 763 37.1 20.6 40.1
2005 711 35.0 20.3 42.1
2006 688 35.3 19.5 46.5
2007 717 34.0 21.1 9.5
2008 714 32.0 22.3 54.8
2009 678 34.0 19.9 60.8
2010 695 34.2 20.2 65.9
2011 789 32.7 24.0 72
2012 771 34.4 22.3 69.4
2013 716 34.7 20.6 69.3
2014 695 34.2 20.2 69.5
2015 624 32.0 19.5 70.4
2016 620 28.0 22.1 73.7
2017 619 29.0 21.3 70.4
2018 578 29.8 19.3 73.7
2019 626 30.8 20.3 74.8
2020 633 30.9 20.4 84.2
2021 580 32.2 18.0 79.1
2022 554 30.4 18.1 83.2
2023 586 30.4 19.2 81.6

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 Oakley W Best Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 514 n/a n/a n/a
1989 510 n/a n/a 11
1990 488 23.0 21.2 8.8
1991 506 n/a n/a n/a
1992 496 n/a n/a 17.3
1993 493 n/a 0.0 19.3
1994 471 22.0 21.4 16.6
1995 485 20.3 23.9 24.7
1996 485 20.3 23.9 24.7
1997 490 21.0 23.3 24.5
1998 470 22.0 21.4 23.4
1999 531 23.0 23.1 17.5
2000 561 25.7 21.8 26.4
2001 595 28.1 21.2 31.1
2002 798 34.7 23.0 45.2
2003 798 34.7 23.0 45.2
2004 763 37.1 20.6 40.1
2005 711 35.0 20.3 42.1
2006 688 35.3 19.5 46.5
2007 717 34.0 21.1 9.5
2008 714 32.0 22.3 54.8
2009 678 34.0 19.9 60.8
2010 695 34.2 20.2 65.9
2011 789 32.7 24.0 72
2012 771 34.4 22.3 69.4
2013 716 34.7 20.6 69.3
2014 695 34.2 20.2 69.5
2015 624 32.0 19.5 70.4
2016 620 28.0 22.1 73.7
2017 619 29.0 21.3 70.4
2018 578 29.8 19.3 73.7
2019 626 30.8 20.3 74.8
2020 633 30.9 20.4 84.2
2021 580 32.2 18.0 79.1
2022 554 30.4 18.1 83.2
2023 586 30.4 19.2 81.6

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 Oakley W Best Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $754 (8.2%) $8,453 (91.8%) $9,207
2020 $720 (7.8%) $8,504 (92.2%) $9,224
2021 $1,092 (10.1%) $9,683 (89.9%) $10,776
2022 $1,492 (11.6%) $11,395 (88.4%) $12,886
2023 $2,468 (15.5%) $13,421 (84.5%) $15,890

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Oakley W Best Middle 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 652nd of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 748th of 883 Middle schools
 2.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Oakley W Best Middle School)2214.9
 7.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Dearborn Heights School District #7)2214.9
 7.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Oakley W Best Middle School)19.58.2
 11.3%
   6th Grade Math (Dearborn Heights School District #7)19.58.2
 11.3%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Oakley W Best Middle School)31.614.2
 17.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Dearborn Heights School District #7)31.614.2
 17.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Oakley W Best Middle School)17.911.7
 6.2%
   7th Grade Math (Dearborn Heights School District #7)17.911.7
 6.2%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Oakley W Best Middle School)13.412.1
 1.3%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Dearborn Heights School District #7)13.412.1
 1.3%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Oakley W Best Middle School)4946.3
 2.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Dearborn Heights School District #7)4946.3
 2.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Oakley W Best Middle School)22.812.3
 10.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Dearborn Heights School District #7)22.812.3
 10.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students626586
 6.4%
African American140125
 10.7%
American Indian25
 150%
Asian16
 500%
Hispanic8571
 16.5%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White387349
 9.8%
Two or More Races1030
 200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients74.8%81.6%
 6.8%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Oakley W Best Middle School

Students at Oakley W Best Middle School are 60% White, 21% African American, 12% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 586 students attended Oakley W Best Middle School.

Students who attend Oakley W Best Middle School usually go on to attend Annapolis High School

Oakley W Best Middle School ranks in the bottom 15.8% of Michigan middle schools.


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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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