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#1964 of 3,192 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,964 of 3,192

In Highland Park

#3 of 3

public schools

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Barber Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Highland Park · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

George Washington Carver Elementary School

6.9/10

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

George Washington Carver Middle School

6.2/10

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

About Barber Elementary School

Barber Elementary School is a public elementary school in Highland Park, MI, part of Highland Park Public School Academy System. Barber Elementary School serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 88:1 student-teacher ratio. Barber Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,964 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Barber Elementary School show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

How it compares0.3 pts below MI schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Barber Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Barber Elementary School runs 88:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Barber Elementary School 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-1.01 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-31.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment1.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio88:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,621
Chronic Absenteeism79.3%

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 8.6% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 14.7% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2012
Math
7.5%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
8%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
6%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2019
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
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: 8.8/10.

How Barber Elementary School Compares

See how Barber Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in MI
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
1.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
88:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
79.3%

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. Davison ElementaryMiddle School (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Detroit), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Detroit), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George Washington Carver Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 6.9
George Washington Carver Middle School Highland Park 0.7 mi 6.2
University Preparatory Art Design Elementary Detroit 1.0 mi 6.3
Covenant School Spectrum Highland Park 0.8 mi
Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men Detroit 1.4 mi 6.9
DPSCD Virtual School Detroit 1.4 mi 4.3
CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Detroit 1.5 mi 6.9
New Paradigm Glazer Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 6.7
Davison ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.4 mi 7.1
Central High School Detroit 1.6 mi 6.1
Durfee ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.6 mi 6.0
Kosciuszko School Hamtramck 1.4 mi 5.0
Dickinson West Elementary School Hamtramck 1.4 mi 2.7
Caniff Liberty Academy Hamtramck 1.6 mi 5.7
Bridge Academy West Detroit 1.6 mi 7.0
Early Childhood Elementary School Hamtramck 1.7 mi 6.2
Oakland International Academy High School Hamtramck 1.8 mi 4.7
Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.3 mi 7.0
Hamtramck High School Hamtramck 1.8 mi 6.6
Nolan ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.4 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ada Vista Elementary School Ada, MI 5.8
Bangor West Central School Bay City, MI 5.8
Blesch Intermediate School Menominee, MI 5.8
Chapman Elementary School Rockwood, MI 5.8
Dawson Elementary School Allegan, MI 5.8
Dimondale Elementary School Dimondale, MI 5.8

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 ranks #1,964 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Barber Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Barber Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Barber Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barber Elementary School has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

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

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
79.3%

District

Highland Park Public School Academy System
District Enrollment
352
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,621
District Rank
#1 of 1

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