Very Good
#858 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 27% in state
Carstens Elementarymiddle School
Elementary School · Detroit Public Schools Community District
13000 Essex Avenue, Detroit, MI 48215
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#3 of 28
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#519 of 1,602
In district
#19 of 99
Detroit Public Schools Community District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Carstens Elementarymiddle School
Carstens ElementaryMiddle School serves 274 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Detroit's 48215 neighborhood. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7 to 1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #491 out of 3,204 Michigan schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to serving its diverse student body effectively across the extended grade range from early childhood through middle school years. Carstens ElementaryMiddle School operates within a working-class community where the median household income is $32,873 and nearly 40% of residents face economic challenges. Despite these circumstances, the school's above-average state ranking suggests it provides meaningful educational opportunities for students during their formative academic years.
The extended grade structure allows students to build lasting relationships with teachers and peers while developing consistency in their educational experience. Located on Essex Avenue in Detroit, Carstens ElementaryMiddle School serves as an important educational anchor in this urban neighborhood, supporting families through the critical elementary and middle school transition years.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Carstens Elementarymiddle 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Carstens Elementarymiddle School — Students at Carstens Elementarymiddle School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Carstens Elementarymiddle School Compares
See how Carstens Elementarymiddle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 9.86% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 13% (2019) to 12.58% (2022).
Location
13000 Essex Avenue, Detroit, MI 48215
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carstens Elementarymiddle School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Defer Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hamilton Academy (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST CLARE OF MONTEFALCO SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Park), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,741
Median Home Value
$105,400
Median Rent
$897/mo
Population
10,238
College Educated
19.4%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
39.2%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carstens Elementarymiddle School has a median household income of $33,741. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $105,400, with a median rent of $897/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.2%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Alfred E Upton Elementary School Royal Oak, MI | 7.2 |
| Angling Road Elementary School Portage, MI | 7.2 |
| Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology Detroit, MI | 7.2 |
| Botsford Elementary School Livonia, MI | 7.2 |
| Burns ElementaryMiddle School Detroit, MI | 7.2 |
| Columbia Elementary School Brooklyn, MI | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carstens Elementarymiddle School
What grades does Carstens Elementarymiddle School serve?
Carstens Elementarymiddle School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Carstens Elementarymiddle School?
Carstens Elementarymiddle School has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carstens Elementarymiddle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carstens Elementarymiddle School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carstens Elementarymiddle School rank in MI?
Carstens Elementarymiddle School is ranked #858 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Carstens Elementarymiddle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carstens Elementarymiddle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Carstens Elementarymiddle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carstens Elementarymiddle School has 12.1% math proficiency and 14.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carstens Elementarymiddle School a charter school?
No, Carstens Elementarymiddle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carstens Elementarymiddle School a Title I school?
No, Carstens Elementarymiddle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carstens Elementarymiddle School?
96.7% of students at Carstens Elementarymiddle 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 866-5500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Detroit Public Schools Community District- District Enrollment
- 48,271
- Schools in District
- 106
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,138
- District Rank
- #19 of 99
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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