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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.8%
Math vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Garvey Academy — Students at Garvey Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.4%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
11.5%
ELA
18.1%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in MI
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL Detroit 0.4 mi 7.7
Moses Field Center Detroit 0.5 mi 9.8
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School Detroit 0.4 mi 7.9
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 0.6 mi 6.0
Detroit Prep Detroit 0.9 mi 5.3
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.2 mi 6.4
Martin Luther King Jr Senior High School Detroit 1.4 mi 6.1
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Detroit 1.6 mi 6.6
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School Detroit 1.6 mi 5.4
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit 1.7 mi 6.5
Bunche Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 6.2
Southeastern High School Detroit 1.6 mi 5.5
University Preparatory Science and Math PSAD High School Detroit 1.8 mi 4.7
Covenant High School East Detroit 2.0 mi 6.2
Blackwell Institute Detroit 2.1 mi 7.1
Detroit Enterprise Academy Detroit 1.6 mi 5.3
University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary Detroit 1.7 mi 3.2
Pathways Academy Detroit 1.7 mi 5.6
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Detroit 1.9 mi 3.0
Detroit Edison Public School Academy High School Detroit 1.9 mi 4.9

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 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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
#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 methodology

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