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Below Average

#2833 of 3,190 schools in MI

Detroit Leadership Academy K8

Elementary School · Detroit Leadership Academy

13550 Virgil, Detroit, MI 48223

Charter

Enrollment

467

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Detroit

#27 of 28

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,436 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 2

Detroit Leadership Academy

About Detroit Leadership Academy K8

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 is a charter school located in Detroit, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the academy has an enrollment of 467 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.3:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating reflects that it is currently ranked #3135 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it in the 2nd percentile overall, and its academic score is at 1.1 out of 10.

In terms of standardized testing, Detroit Leadership Academy K8 has shown proficiency rates of only 6% in ELA/reading and 5% in math across all grade levels, indicating areas for improvement. The school’s setting is within a bustling urban environment, providing students with diverse opportunities to engage with their community while also focusing on their development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Detroit Leadership Academy K8 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Detroit Leadership Academy K8 is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Math vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,353

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 — Students at Detroit Leadership Academy K8 score 5% 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

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.9%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 5.8%
School
State
44.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Detroit Leadership Academy K8 Compares

See how Detroit Leadership Academy K8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in MI
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

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

Location

13550 Virgil, Detroit, MI 48223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Detroit Leadership Academy K8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vandenberg Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Redford), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST VALENTINE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Redford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Discovery Creative Pathways Redford (rated 6.8/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Redford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
WashingtonParks Academy Redford 0.8 mi 4.8
Westfield Preparatory High School Redford 1.0 mi 6.0
WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Detroit 1.4 mi 5.9
Detroit Community Schools High School Detroit 1.2 mi 4.5
Detroit Community Schools Elementary Detroit 1.2 mi 6.5
Fisher Elementary School Redford 1.4 mi 6.2
Gompers ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.4 mi 4.7
Vandenberg Elementary School Redford 1.8 mi 7.2
Global Heights Academy Dearborn Heights 1.9 mi 3.2
John D Pierce Middle School Redford 1.7 mi 5.1
ST VALENTINE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Redford 1.6 mi 6.8
SOAR Academic Institute Redford 1.5 mi 5.3
Jane Addams Elementary School Redford 1.5 mi 4.4
Lee M Thurston High School Redford 1.6 mi 5.1
Old Redford Academy Middle School Detroit 2.2 mi 5.3
Old Redford Academy Elementary Detroit 2.3 mi 4.7
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Redford 2.1 mi
Dixon Elementary School Detroit 2.4 mi 6.5
Ann Arbor Trail Magnet School Detroit 2.6 mi 7.4
Discovery Creative Pathways Redford Redford 2.5 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,324

Median Home Value

$87,700

Median Rent

$1,013/mo

Population

24,262

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

55.5%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

34

Community Profile

The community surrounding Detroit Leadership Academy K8 has a median household income of $42,324. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $87,700, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, 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
Carleton Elementary School Detroit, MI 4.5
Edison Academy Kalamazoo, MI 4.5
Jefferson Elementary School Wyandotte, MI 4.5
KND Elementary Brethren, MI 4.5
Lincoln School Saint Joseph, MI 4.5
Oxford Elementary School Oxford, MI 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Detroit Leadership Academy K8

What grades does Detroit Leadership Academy K8 serve?

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Detroit Leadership Academy K8?

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Detroit Leadership Academy K8?

The student-teacher ratio at Detroit Leadership Academy K8 is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Detroit Leadership Academy K8 rank in MI?

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 is ranked #2833 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Detroit Leadership Academy K8's MySchoolScout rating?

Detroit Leadership Academy K8 has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Detroit Leadership Academy K8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Detroit Leadership Academy K8 has 4.9% math proficiency and 5.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Detroit Leadership Academy K8 a charter school?

Yes, Detroit Leadership Academy K8 is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Detroit Leadership Academy K8 a Title I school?

No, Detroit Leadership Academy K8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Detroit Leadership Academy K8?

97.2% of students at Detroit Leadership Academy K8 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
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Detroit Leadership Academy
District Enrollment
731
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,894
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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