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
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
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Detroit Waldorf School compares to 145 public schools serving similar grades in Detroit, MI
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (313) 822-0300
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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
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