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Very Good

#951 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 30% in state

Fordson High School

High School · Dearborn City School District

13800 FORD RD, Dearborn, MI 48126

Enrollment

2,092

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dearborn

#11 of 37

public schools

Michigan high schools

#174 of 812

In district

#13 of 36

Dearborn City School District

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Fordson High School

Fordson High School serves 2,092 students in grades 9-12 in Dearborn, Michigan, making it a large public high school in Wayne County. With 110 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a school of this scale. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2320 among Michigan's 3,204 high schools, placing it in the 28th percentile statewide.

This indicates Fordson High School has significant room for academic growth as it works to better serve its substantial student body. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $46,565 and median home values average $183,500. About 25% of residents in the surrounding area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 33.4%, reflecting the economic challenges many families face in the district.

Despite these challenges, Fordson High School remains an important educational institution for nearly 2,100 students in the community. The school's substantial size offers potential for diverse programming and resources, though academic improvement remains a priority. Located on Ford Road in this mid-size city, Fordson High School serves as a cornerstone institution in Dearborn's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

Fordson High School is a large school with 2,092 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+21.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,731

Fordson High School — Students at Fordson High School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
49%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Fordson High School Compares

See how Fordson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MI
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers

Location

13800 FORD RD, Dearborn, MI 48126

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fordson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McDonald Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is William Ford Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Riverside Academy West Campus (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dearborn, see our Dearborn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy for Business and Technology Elementary Dearborn 0.4 mi 4.9
Riverside Academy West Campus Dearborn 0.4 mi 7.2
William Ford Elementary School Dearborn 0.5 mi 7.6
Lowrey Elementary School Dearborn 0.6 mi 5.4
Lowrey Middle School Dearborn 0.7 mi 6.5
Miller Elementary School Dearborn 0.7 mi 5.9
Woodworth Middle School Dearborn 0.7 mi 6.2
Advanced Technology Academy Dearborn 0.8 mi 2.7
GREAT REVELATIONS ACADEMY Dearborn 0.8 mi 6.9
Iris Becker Elementary School Dearborn 0.9 mi 4.8
Maples Elementary School Dearborn 0.9 mi 5.6
Geer Park Elementary School Dearborn 1.1 mi 5.0
Oakman Elementary School Dearborn 1.1 mi 6.4
Riverside Academy Dearborn 1.1 mi 6.5
McCollough Elementary School Dearborn 1.3 mi 6.0
Unis Middle School Dearborn 1.3 mi 6.2
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC ACADEMY Detroit 1.5 mi 6.7
Gardner Elementary School Detroit 1.3 mi 5.4
SER Metro YouthBuild Learning Academy Dearborn 1.3 mi
McDonald Elementary School Dearborn 1.5 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,353

Median Home Value

$200,600

Median Rent

$1,222/mo

Population

52,075

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

57%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

35.6%

Median Age

28.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fordson High School has a median household income of $42,353. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,600, with a median rent of $1,222/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Byron Center High School Byron Center, MI 7.1
Cass Technical High School Detroit, MI 7.1
Saline High School Saline, MI 7.1
Jenison High School Jenison, MI 7.0
Plymouth High School Canton, MI 7.0
Portage Central High School Portage, MI 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fordson High School

What grades does Fordson High School serve?

Fordson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fordson High School?

Fordson High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,092 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fordson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fordson High School is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fordson High School rank in MI?

Fordson High School is ranked #951 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Fordson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fordson High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Fordson High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fordson High School has 30.5% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fordson High School a charter school?

No, Fordson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fordson High School a Title I school?

No, Fordson High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fordson High School?

89.2% of students at Fordson High School 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

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,308/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,092
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
110
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dearborn City School District
District Enrollment
19,621
Schools in District
37
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,437
District Rank
#13 of 36

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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