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Very Good

#64 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 14% of private schools

Detroit Waldorf School

Elementary School

2555 BURNS ST, Detroit, MI 48214

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 27 schools in Detroit. Learn more

Enrollment

180

Student-Teacher

9:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Detroit

#1 of 11

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#37 of 307

About Detroit Waldorf School

Detroit Waldorf School serves 180 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Detroit's Wayne County, earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This regular public elementary school ranks 58th out of 460 Michigan schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement that reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptional 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships.

This intimate learning environment enables educators to know each child well and tailor instruction to individual needs. The school follows the Waldorf educational philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on learning, creativity, and developmentally appropriate practices. This approach nurtures students' intellectual, artistic, and practical capacities through engaging, experiential learning.

Located at 2555 Burns Street in the 48214 ZIP code area, Detroit Waldorf School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $31,833 and about 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite economic challenges in the surrounding neighborhood, with a poverty rate of 31.4%, the school has created an environment where students can thrive academically and personally. The school stands as an educational beacon within Detroit's urban landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 180 students, Detroit Waldorf School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Detroit Waldorf School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Detroit Waldorf School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Detroit Waldorf School compares to 145 public schools serving similar grades in Detroit, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
This School
vs
20.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
180
This School
vs
427
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.7
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 53.9% vs 0%
Black 23.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.7% vs 0%
Asian 3.9% vs 0%
Detroit Waldorf School Detroit Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Detroit Waldorf School (this school) 7.7
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School 6.0
Garvey Academy 7.5
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School 7.9
Detroit Prep 5.3
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School 6.4
Moses Field Center 9.8
Barack Obama Leadership Academy 6.5
Detroit Enterprise Academy 5.3
Pathways Academy 5.6
Blackwell Institute 7.1
Bunche Preparatory Academy 6.2
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences 6.6
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School 5.4
University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary 3.2
Detroit Edison Public School Academy 3.0
AL Holmes Academy of Blended Learning 5.2
Plymouth Educational Center 4.6
Carstens ElementaryMiddle School 7.2
Chrysler Elementary School 6.8
Oakland International Academy K1 2.9

Showing 20 of 145 schools. View all schools in Detroit

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,156
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 64%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 180
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 53.9%
Black 23.3%
Two or More 11.7%
Hispanic 6.7%
Asian 3.9%
Pacific Islander 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2555 BURNS ST, Detroit, MI 48214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Detroit Waldorf School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moses Field Center (rated 9.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The James and Grace Lee Boggs School (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Garvey Academy (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 0.2 mi 6.0
Garvey Academy Detroit 0.4 mi 7.5
Detroit Prep Detroit 0.6 mi 5.3
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School Detroit 0.5 mi 7.9
Moses Field Center Detroit 0.9 mi 9.8
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 0.8 mi 6.4
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 6.5
Southeastern High School Detroit 1.2 mi 5.5
Detroit Enterprise Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 5.3
Blackwell Institute Detroit 1.7 mi 7.1
Covenant High School East Detroit 1.7 mi 6.2
Pathways Academy Detroit 1.4 mi 5.6
Martin Luther King Jr Senior High School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.1
The SER Learning Academy East Detroit 1.9 mi
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Detroit 2.0 mi 6.6
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School Detroit 2.0 mi 5.4
Bunche Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.9 mi 6.2
AL Holmes Academy of Blended Learning Detroit 2.2 mi 5.2
University Preparatory Science and Math PSAD High School Detroit 2.2 mi 4.7
University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary Detroit 2.0 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,807

Median Home Value

$120,500

Median Rent

$818/mo

Population

19,014

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

42.5%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

29.4%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Detroit Waldorf School has a median household income of $34,807. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,500, with a median rent of $818/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Grand Rapids, MI 7.7
Aberdeen Academy Grand Rapids, MI 7.7
Ganiard School Mount Pleasant, MI 7.7
Greyhound Central Elementary School Eaton Rapids, MI 7.7
Herrick Park Intermediate School Tecumseh, MI 7.7
James C Harvey Education Center Mason, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Detroit Waldorf School

What grades does Detroit Waldorf School serve?

Detroit Waldorf School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Detroit Waldorf School?

Detroit Waldorf School has an enrollment of approximately 180 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Detroit Waldorf School?

The student-teacher ratio at Detroit Waldorf School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Detroit Waldorf School rank in MI?

Detroit Waldorf School is ranked #64 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is Detroit Waldorf School's MySchoolScout rating?

Detroit Waldorf School has a composite rating of 7.7 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.

Is Detroit Waldorf School a private school?

Yes, Detroit Waldorf School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Detroit Waldorf School a religious school?

No, Detroit Waldorf School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
60 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
180
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Large City
County
WAYNE
Data Year
2022–2023

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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