Moses Field Center vs Pembroke Academy

Moses Field Center ranks #1 of 3,190 schools in Michigan with a 9.8/10 overall rating, while Pembroke Academy holds a still-impressive #16 statewide at 9.4/10 — a 0.4-point gap that separates two of Detroit's strongest elementary options. Both schools sit well above the state median, but Moses Field Center's top-of-state position reflects consistent excellence across every scoring dimension, not just one standout category.

The academic gap is the sharpest numeric difference between the two schools. Moses Field Center scores 9.7/10 in academics versus Pembroke Academy's 9.1/10, a delta of 0.6 points. On growth — measuring how much students improve year over year regardless of starting point — Moses Field Center scores 9.9/10 and Pembroke Academy scores 9.8/10, meaning both schools are exceptional at accelerating student progress, with only a marginal edge to Moses Field Center.

The schools differ significantly in scale and resource intensity. Moses Field Center enrolls 61 students and maintains a 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio, while Pembroke Academy serves 343 students at a 14.9:1 ratio. That means Moses Field Center students have, on average, more than twice the adult attention in the classroom. Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility stands at 74% at Moses Field Center and 92% at Pembroke Academy, indicating Pembroke Academy draws from a higher-poverty population while still delivering near-top academic outcomes — a meaningful equity achievement.

Structurally, the schools differ in type and grade range. Moses Field Center is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through grade 8, making it an option for families who want to enroll children before kindergarten age. Pembroke Academy is a charter school beginning at kindergarten. Families seeking PK placement will find only Moses Field Center accommodates it. The two campuses are 12.0 miles apart within Detroit, so proximity may also factor into a family's decision depending on their neighborhood.