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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

Charter

Enrollment

352

Student-Teacher

88:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Math vs. State Avg-31.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.1Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio88:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,179

Barber Elementary School — Students at Barber Elementary School score 11% 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

93.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.2%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 12.7%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
13.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in MI
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
88:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
George Washington Carver Elementary School Highland Park 0.7 mi 6.3
George Washington Carver Middle School Highland Park 0.7 mi 6.0
University Preparatory Art Design Elementary Detroit 1.0 mi 4.7
Covenant School Spectrum Highland Park 0.8 mi
Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men Detroit 1.4 mi 7.3
DPSCD Virtual School Detroit 1.4 mi 6.1
CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Detroit 1.5 mi 6.9
New Paradigm Glazer Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 5.7
Davison ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.4 mi 6.0
Central High School Detroit 1.6 mi 6.7
Durfee ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.6 mi 5.8
Kosciuszko School Hamtramck 1.4 mi 5.5
Dickinson West Elementary School Hamtramck 1.4 mi 6.5
Caniff Liberty Academy Hamtramck 1.6 mi 6.8
Bridge Academy West Detroit 1.6 mi 5.4
Early Childhood Elementary School Hamtramck 1.7 mi 7.1
Oakland International Academy High School Hamtramck 1.8 mi 1.6
Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.3 mi 7.5
Hamtramck High School Hamtramck 1.8 mi 7.8
Nolan ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.4 mi 6.9

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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