Very Good
#638 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 20% in state
Garvey Academy
Elementary School · Detroit Public Schools Community District
2301 VAN DYKE ST, Detroit, MI 48214
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#15 of 150
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#403 of 1,602
In district
#13 of 99
Detroit Public Schools Community District
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Garvey Academy
Garvey Academy serves 409 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Detroit's Wayne County. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #363 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking suggests Garvey Academy is effectively serving its student community and achieving notable academic outcomes. Located at 2301 Van Dyke Street, the school sits within the 48214 ZIP code area, a diverse urban neighborhood where the median household income is $31,833 and about 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 31.4% and median home values around $91,700, reflecting the working-class character of this Detroit area.
Garvey Academy's solid performance within this urban setting demonstrates the school's commitment to providing quality education despite socioeconomic challenges. The school operates within Detroit's large city environment, offering students access to the educational opportunities and cultural resources that come with an urban location.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Garvey Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Garvey Academy — Students at Garvey Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Garvey Academy Compares
See how Garvey Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 10.52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 16.8% (2022).
Location
2301 VAN DYKE ST, Detroit, MI 48214
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garvey Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moses Field Center (rated 9.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The James and Grace Lee Boggs School (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 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 Garvey Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Amanda Moore Elementary School Romeo, MI | 7.5 |
| Ann Arbor Open at Mack School Ann Arbor, MI | 7.5 |
| Barhitte Elementary School Burton, MI | 7.5 |
| Bentley Elementary School Canton, MI | 7.5 |
| Brown City Elementary School Brown City, MI | 7.5 |
| Cleveland Elementary School Livonia, MI | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garvey Academy
What grades does Garvey Academy serve?
Garvey Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Garvey Academy?
Garvey Academy has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garvey Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Garvey Academy is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garvey Academy rank in MI?
Garvey Academy is ranked #638 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Garvey Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Garvey Academy has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Garvey Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garvey Academy has 11.4% math proficiency and 18.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Garvey Academy a charter school?
No, Garvey Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garvey Academy a Title I school?
No, Garvey Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garvey Academy?
84.8% of students at Garvey 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 409
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 866-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Detroit Public Schools Community District- District Enrollment
- 48,271
- Schools in District
- 106
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,138
- District Rank
- #13 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 methodologyRelated reading
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