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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.6%
Math vs. State Avg-32 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.3 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Carstens Elementarymiddle School — Students at Carstens Elementarymiddle School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.1%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 14.5%
School
State
44.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
14%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
13.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in MI
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly Detroit 0.5 mi 6.0
Detroit Merit Charter Academy Detroit 0.9 mi 4.4
Pierce Middle School Grosse Pointe Park 1.4 mi 8.1
George Defer Elementary School Grosse Pointe Park 1.5 mi 9.1
Pathways Academy Detroit 1.1 mi 5.6
Detroit Enterprise Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 5.3
J E Clark Preparatory Academy Detroit 2.1 mi 6.7
Southeastern High School Detroit 1.7 mi 5.5
ST CLARE OF MONTEFALCO SCHOOL Grosse Pointe Park 2.1 mi 7.9
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.4
Hamilton Academy Detroit 2.5 mi 8.1
Lewis Maire Elementary School Grosse Pointe 2.4 mi 7.8
Ronald Brown Academy Detroit 2.8 mi 6.3
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit 2.3 mi 6.5
The SER Learning Academy East Detroit 2.5 mi
Diann BanksWilliamson Educational Center Detroit 3.2 mi 8.8
East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney Detroit 3.2 mi 5.3
DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL Detroit 2.6 mi 7.7
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.6 mi 6.0
Wayne Elementary School Detroit 3.6 mi 6.5

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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