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Below Average

#2678 of 3,190 schools in MI

Detroit School of Arts

High School · Detroit Public Schools Community District

123 SELDEN ST, Detroit, MI 48201

Enrollment

470

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Detroit

#116 of 150

public schools

Michigan high schools

#649 of 812

In district

#87 of 99

Detroit Public Schools Community District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Detroit School of Arts

Detroit School of Arts serves 470 students in grades 9 through 12, offering a focused educational environment with a favorable 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio and 37 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school has earned recognition as a standout institution, ranking #359 out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 89th percentile among Michigan schools, with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. The school operates within a diverse urban community where 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a commitment to education despite economic challenges.

The neighborhood's demographics show both opportunity and need, with significant income diversity that creates a rich learning environment for students from various backgrounds. Located at 123 Selden Street, the school benefits from its position in Detroit's urban landscape, providing students access to the cultural resources and opportunities that come with a large city setting. The relatively small enrollment allows for more personalized attention and community feel within the broader Detroit educational system.

Detroit School of Arts stands as an example of academic achievement in Michigan's largest city, serving students in a setting that combines urban energy with focused educational excellence.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-19.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Detroit School of Arts — Students at Detroit School of Arts score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Detroit School of Arts Compares

See how Detroit School of Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in MI
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

123 SELDEN ST, Detroit, MI 48201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Detroit School of Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cass Technical High School (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WAY Michigan (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$24,392

Median Home Value

$401,500

Median Rent

$841/mo

Population

14,327

College Educated

37.3%

Homeownership

11.3%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

42.1%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Detroit School of Arts has a median household income of $24,392. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $401,500, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 42.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Bridge Academy Hamtramck, MI 4.8
Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur, MI 4.8
Gwinn MiddleHigh School Gwinn, MI 4.8
Hemlock High School Hemlock, MI 4.8
Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids, MI 4.8
University High School Ferndale, MI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Detroit School of Arts

What grades does Detroit School of Arts serve?

Detroit School of Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Detroit School of Arts?

Detroit School of Arts has an enrollment of approximately 470 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Detroit School of Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Detroit School of Arts is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Detroit School of Arts rank in MI?

Detroit School of Arts is ranked #2678 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Detroit School of Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Detroit School of Arts has a composite rating of 4.8 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 School of Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Detroit School of Arts has 5.0% math proficiency and 24.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Detroit School of Arts a charter school?

No, Detroit School of Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Detroit School of Arts a Title I school?

No, Detroit School of Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Detroit School of Arts?

67.9% of students at Detroit School of Arts 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
470
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.9%
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
#87 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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