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Needs Improvement

#2946 of 3,192 schools in MI

Barack Obama Leadership Academy

Elementary School · Barack Obama Leadership Academy

10800 EAST CANFIELD ST, Detroit, MI 48214

Charter

Enrollment

311

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,946 of 3,192

In Detroit

#153 of 178

public schools

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Barack Obama Leadership Academy

3.8/10

Elementary School in Detroit · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Ser Learning Academy East

Nearby

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Southeastern High School

5.8/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Barack Obama Leadership Academy

Barack Obama Leadership Academy is a public elementary school in Detroit, MI, part of Barack Obama Leadership Academy. Barack Obama Leadership Academy serves approximately 311 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Barack Obama Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,946 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Barack Obama Leadership Academy show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.3 pts below MI schools
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Barack Obama Leadership Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

51% of students at Barack Obama Leadership Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency6.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.5 pts
Overall Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,523
Chronic Absenteeism50.5%

Barack Obama Leadership Academy — Students at Barack Obama Leadership Academy score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
33.9% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 17.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 38 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
3%
ELA
28%
2012
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2019
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
9.6%
ELA
6.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.

How Barack Obama Leadership Academy Compares

See how Barack Obama Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
8th percentile in MI
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.5%

Location

10800 EAST CANFIELD ST, Detroit, MI 48214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barack Obama Leadership Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moses Field Center (rated 9.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The James and Grace Lee Boggs School (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
The SER Learning Academy East Detroit 0.7 mi
Southeastern High School Detroit 0.6 mi 5.8
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 0.8 mi 6.7
Detroit Enterprise Academy Detroit 1.1 mi 5.1
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.1 mi 7.1
Detroit Prep Detroit 1.1 mi 6.6
DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL Detroit 1.3 mi 7.7
Blackwell Institute Detroit 1.2 mi 6.2
Pathways Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 5.5
Covenant High School East Detroit 1.2 mi 5.0
Garvey Academy Detroit 1.7 mi 7.6
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School Detroit 1.6 mi 7.8
Edward Duke Ellington at Beckham Detroit 1.9 mi 6.5
Hamilton Academy Detroit 1.7 mi 7.1
AL Holmes Academy of Blended Learning Detroit 1.7 mi 6.5
Moses Field Center Detroit 2.1 mi 9.9
Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly Detroit 1.9 mi 7.0
Carstens ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.3 mi 7.2
Ronald Brown Academy Detroit 2.5 mi 6.0
Detroit Merit Charter Academy Detroit 2.3 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,807

Median Home Value

$120,500

Median Rent

$818/mo

Population

19,014

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

42.5%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

29.4%

Median Age

46.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bedford School Dearborn Heights, MI 3.8
Estabrook Elementary Ypsilanti, MI 3.8
Fuller Street Elementary School Nashville, MI 3.8
George Crockett Academy Detroit, MI 3.8
Haas Elementary School Genesee, MI 3.8
McGrath Elementary School Grand Blanc, MI 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barack Obama Leadership Academy

What grades does Barack Obama Leadership Academy serve?

Barack Obama Leadership Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Barack Obama Leadership Academy?

Barack Obama Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barack Obama Leadership Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Barack Obama Leadership Academy is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barack Obama Leadership Academy rank in MI?

Barack Obama Leadership Academy ranks #2,946 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Barack Obama Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Barack Obama Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Barack Obama Leadership Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barack Obama Leadership Academy has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Barack Obama Leadership Academy a charter school?

Yes, Barack Obama Leadership Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Barack Obama Leadership Academy a Title I school?

No, Barack Obama Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barack Obama Leadership Academy?

94.2% of students at Barack Obama Leadership Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wayne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.5%

District

Barack Obama Leadership Academy
District Enrollment
311
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,523
District Rank
#1 of 1

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