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Below Average

#2629 of 3,192 schools in MI

David Ellis Academy

School · David Ellis Academy

18977 SCHAEFER HWY, Detroit, MI 48235

Charter

Enrollment

215

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,629 of 3,192

In Detroit

#141 of 178

public schools

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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David Ellis Academy

4.7/10

School in Detroit · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vernor Elementary School

6.5/10

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

University Yes Academy

3.6/10

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

About David Ellis Academy

David Ellis Academy is a public school in Detroit, MI, part of David Ellis Academy. David Ellis Academy serves approximately 215 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. David Ellis Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,629 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for David Ellis Academy show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below MI schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • MI avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

David Ellis Academy 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-28.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,580
Chronic Absenteeism29.3%

David Ellis Academy — Students at David Ellis Academy score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 29.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 40 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
63%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
15%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
14%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
13.4%
ELA
23.2%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How David Ellis Academy Compares

See how David Ellis Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
18th percentile in MI
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

Location

18977 SCHAEFER HWY, Detroit, MI 48235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering David Ellis Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. DETROIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE (rated 4.9/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, University Yes Academy (rated 3.6/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Vernor Elementary School Detroit 0.6 mi 6.5
University Yes Academy Detroit 0.8 mi 3.6
Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies Detroit 0.9 mi 8.0
MacDowell Preparatory Academy Detroit 0.8 mi 6.1
Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts Detroit 1.0 mi 6.2
LincolnKing Adams Young School Grove Campus Detroit 1.1 mi 3.6
Randolph Career and Technical Center Detroit 1.0 mi
AdamsYoung Building Detroit 1.1 mi 3.4
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Detroit 1.1 mi 5.9
Renaissance High School Detroit 1.1 mi 8.3
Martin Luther King Jr Education Center Academy Detroit 1.2 mi 2.5
DETROIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE Detroit 1.0 mi 4.9
Mumford High School Detroit 1.0 mi 5.9
Jerry L White Center Detroit 1.1 mi 4.6
Bates Academy Detroit 1.1 mi 8.8
Detroit Achievement Academy Detroit 1.2 mi 5.9
Einstein Elementary School Oak Park 1.5 mi 2.7
John R King Academic and Performing Arts Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 6.3
Bow ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.3 mi 7.5
Coleman A Young Elementary School Detroit 1.7 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,011

Median Home Value

$79,400

Median Rent

$1,151/mo

Population

46,960

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

29.7%

Median Age

37.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ROCHESTER HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rochester Hills, MI 4.7
Will Carleton Charter School Academy Hillsdale, MI 4.7
Comstock Compass High School Kalamazoo, MI 4.8
FAITH BAPTIST SCHOOL Davison, MI 4.8
Oakridge Middle School Muskegon, MI 4.8
State Street Academy Bay City, MI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about David Ellis Academy

What grades does David Ellis Academy serve?

David Ellis Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend David Ellis Academy?

David Ellis Academy has an enrollment of approximately 215 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at David Ellis Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at David Ellis Academy is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does David Ellis Academy rank in MI?

David Ellis Academy ranks #2,629 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is David Ellis Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

David Ellis Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 David Ellis Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, David Ellis Academy has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is David Ellis Academy a charter school?

Yes, David Ellis Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is David Ellis Academy a Title I school?

No, David Ellis Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for David Ellis Academy?

90.7% of students at David Ellis Academy 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
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wayne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

District

David Ellis Academy
District Enrollment
215
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,580
District Rank
#1 of 1

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