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Average

#1506 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 47% in state

Denby High School

High School · Detroit Public Schools Community District

12800 Kelly Road, Detroit, MI 48224

Enrollment

512

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Detroit

#11 of 28

public schools

Michigan high schools

#311 of 812

In district

#55 of 99

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Denby High School

Denby High School is a regular public high school in Detroit, Michigan, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 512 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. Denby High has 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

The academic performance at Denby High School is currently rated 5.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 48th percentile among Michigan schools, placing it at #1673 out of 3204 total schools in the state. In ELA/Reading proficiency, 18% of students meet or exceed standards, while in Math, only 14% do so. While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, Denby High School is focused on providing a supportive environment that encourages student development and growth.

Denby High School is situated in the heart of Detroit's vibrant city life, offering its students access to cultural amenities, community resources, and career opportunities. The school’s setting provides a rich context for learning and personal development beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+8.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Denby High School — Students at Denby High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 13.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Denby High School Compares

See how Denby High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in MI
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

12800 Kelly Road, Detroit, MI 48224

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Denby High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harper Woods High School (rated 4.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Harper Woods), a more accessible option. Another option is Chandler Park Academy High School (rated 4.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Harper Woods), a more accessible option. Additionally, Harper Academy (rated 3.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Harper Woods), a more accessible option. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Brewer Academy Detroit 0.3 mi 6.3
OUR KIDZ WORLD LEARNING CENTER Detroit 0.7 mi
Wayne Elementary School Detroit 0.7 mi 6.5
Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy Detroit 0.7 mi 6.7
Carleton Elementary School Detroit 0.7 mi 4.5
Harper Woods Virtual Academy Harper Woods 1.3 mi 5.6
Beacon Elementary School Harper Woods 1.2 mi 5.2
Ronald Brown Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 6.3
Chandler Park Academy Middle School Harper Woods 1.6 mi 3.7
Chandler Park Academy Elementary Harper Woods 1.6 mi 4.0
Pulaski ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.4 mi 7.0
Chandler Park Academy High School Harper Woods 1.7 mi 4.2
Edward Duke Ellington at Beckham Detroit 1.6 mi 6.9
Hamilton Academy Detroit 1.9 mi 8.1
Harper Woods High School Harper Woods 1.8 mi 4.4
Harper Academy Harper Woods 1.8 mi 3.5
Eaton Academy Eastpointe 2.1 mi 6.9
Pleasantview Elementary School Eastpointe 2.3 mi 4.6
Discovery Creative Pathways Harper Woods Harper Woods 1.7 mi 6.0
Academy of Warren Warren 2.1 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,963

Median Home Value

$77,900

Median Rent

$1,213/mo

Population

38,771

College Educated

14.5%

Homeownership

54.1%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

32.6%

Median Age

32.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Denby High School has a median household income of $42,963. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $77,900, with a median rent of $1,213/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Bark RiverHarris JrSr High School Harris, MI 6.4
Buchanan High School Buchanan, MI 6.4
Clarenceville High School Livonia, MI 6.4
Hart High School Hart, MI 6.4
Laker High School Pigeon, MI 6.4
Marine City High School Marine City, MI 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Denby High School

What grades does Denby High School serve?

Denby High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Denby High School?

Denby High School has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Denby High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Denby High School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Denby High School rank in MI?

Denby High School is ranked #1506 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Denby High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Denby High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Denby High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Denby High School has 13.8% math proficiency and 18.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Denby High School a charter school?

No, Denby High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Denby High School a Title I school?

No, Denby High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Denby High School?

87.7% of students at Denby High 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

City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
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
#55 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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