Below Average
#2873 of 3,190 schools in MI
Detroit Merit Charter Academy
Elementary School · Detroit Merit Charter Academy
1091 ALTER RD, Detroit, MI 48215
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#129 of 150
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,452 of 1,602
About Detroit Merit Charter Academy
Detroit Merit Charter Academy is a charter school located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, it offers an elementary education experience with a total enrollment of 718 students. The student-to-teacher ratio stands at 22.4:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from the 32 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Detroit Merit Charter Academy focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment despite its current academic standing, which places it in the 7th percentile among Michigan schools according to MySchoolScout’s rating system. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 30%, and Math proficiency sits at 18%. While these figures indicate areas for improvement, Detroit Merit Charter Academy continues to work diligently towards enhancing its academic programs.
Located in a bustling urban setting, the school serves students from various backgrounds within the city. Detroit Merit Charter Academy remains committed to providing quality education and opportunities to its diverse student body.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Detroit Merit Charter Academy is 22.4:1, 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 Merit Charter 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Detroit Merit Charter Academy — Students at Detroit Merit Charter Academy score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How Detroit Merit Charter Academy Compares
See how Detroit Merit Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 18.33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 28.98% (2022).
Location
1091 ALTER RD, Detroit, MI 48215
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Detroit Merit Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richard Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Farms), which scores notably higher. Another option is George Defer Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hamilton Academy (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood 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 Detroit Merit Charter Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Ada Vista Elementary School Ada, MI | 4.4 |
| Ashley Elementary School New Baltimore, MI | 4.4 |
| Clare Primary School Clare, MI | 4.4 |
| Dye Elementary School Flint, MI | 4.4 |
| Eastern Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 4.4 |
| HanoverHorton Elementary School Hanover, MI | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Detroit Merit Charter Academy
What grades does Detroit Merit Charter Academy serve?
Detroit Merit Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Detroit Merit Charter Academy?
Detroit Merit Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Detroit Merit Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Detroit Merit Charter Academy is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Detroit Merit Charter Academy rank in MI?
Detroit Merit Charter Academy is ranked #2873 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Detroit Merit Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Detroit Merit Charter Academy has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Detroit Merit Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Detroit Merit Charter Academy has 18.1% math proficiency and 29.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Detroit Merit Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Detroit Merit Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Detroit Merit Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Detroit Merit Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Detroit Merit Charter Academy?
94.6% of students at Detroit Merit Charter 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
- City Safety
- High (6,148/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 331-3328
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Detroit Merit Charter Academy- District Enrollment
- 718
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,543
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.