Very Good
#780 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 24% in state
David Ellis Academy
School · David Ellis Academy
18977 SCHAEFER HWY, Detroit, MI 48235
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#17 of 150
public schools
Michigan schools
#102 of 279
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About David Ellis Academy
David Ellis Academy is a charter school located in Detroit, Michigan, serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 215 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to each child. The faculty consists of 14 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a city setting.
David Ellis Academy has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10, placing it at number 2206 among Michigan’s 3204 schools. Academically, the school is currently focusing on student development with an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 22% and a math proficiency rate of 12%. These scores indicate areas where there is room for growth in academic performance.
Situated in Detroit's dynamic urban environment, David Ellis Academy benefits from being part of a vibrant community that offers unique opportunities and challenges.
What Parents Should Know
David Ellis Academy 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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David Ellis Academy — Students at David Ellis Academy score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.7%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How David Ellis Academy Compares
See how David Ellis Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 13.57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22.43% (2022).
Location
18977 SCHAEFER HWY, Detroit, MI 48235
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering David Ellis Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. University Yes Academy (rated 4.9/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, DETROIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE (rated 4.8/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding David Ellis Academy has a median household income of $41,011. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $79,400, with a median rent of $1,151/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Chassell K12 School Chassell, MI | 7.3 |
| North Huron School Kinde, MI | 7.3 |
| Pentwater Public School Pentwater, MI | 7.3 |
| Huron Academy Grades K2 Clinton Twp, MI | 7.2 |
| LIVINGSTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Brighton, MI | 7.2 |
| WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage, MI | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #780 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is David Ellis Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
David Ellis Academy has a composite rating of 7.3 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 David Ellis Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, David Ellis Academy has 11.8% math proficiency and 22.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 73 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 48 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 46 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (6,148/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (313) 450-0642
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
David Ellis Academy- District Enrollment
- 215
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,580
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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