Average
#1838 of 3,190 schools in MI
Barber Elementary School
Elementary School · Highland Park Public School Academy System
45 EAST BUENA VISTA ST, Highland Park, MI 48203
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
88:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
88:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highland Park
#3 of 3
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,002 of 1,602
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Barber Elementary School
Barber Elementary School is a charter school located in Highland Park, Michigan, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 352 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 88 to 1, Barber Elementary focuses on providing educational opportunities in a large suburban setting. The school has four full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
Academically, Barber Elementary School ranks in the lower percentile among Michigan schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.8 out of 10. Test performance shows that only 13% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 9% in Math across all grades. While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, Barber Elementary is committed to supporting the development of its students.
Barber Elementary School sits within a community where there's potential for growth and change, fostering an environment that encourages learning and progress.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Barber Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Barber Elementary School is 88:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Barber Elementary School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Barber Elementary School — Students at Barber Elementary School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.2/10.
How Barber Elementary School Compares
See how Barber Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 3% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 11% (2019) to 12.96% (2022).
Location
45 EAST BUENA VISTA ST, Highland Park, MI 48203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Barber Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Detroit), which scores notably higher. Another option is Early Childhood Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Hamtramck), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Detroit), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Highland Park, see our Highland Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,108
Median Home Value
$76,100
Median Rent
$799/mo
Population
20,472
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
48.8%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
37.7%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barber Elementary School has a median household income of $35,108. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $76,100, with a median rent of $799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cherry Knoll Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 6.0 |
| Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids, MI | 6.0 |
| Cook Elementary School Grand Blanc, MI | 6.0 |
| Elms Elementary School Flushing, MI | 6.0 |
| Erickson Elementary Ypsilanti, MI | 6.0 |
| Grandville East Elementary School Grandville, MI | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Barber Elementary School
What grades does Barber Elementary School serve?
Barber Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Barber Elementary School?
Barber Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Barber Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Barber Elementary School is 88:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Barber Elementary School rank in MI?
Barber Elementary School is ranked #1838 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Barber Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Barber Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barber Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barber Elementary School has 9.2% math proficiency and 12.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Barber Elementary School a charter school?
Yes, Barber Elementary School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Barber Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Barber Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barber Elementary School?
93.5% of students at Barber Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (7,440/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Highland Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 88:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 957-3005
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highland Park Public School Academy System- District Enrollment
- 352
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,621
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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