Very Good
#457 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 14% in state
Joy Preparatory Academy
School · Joy Preparatory Academy
15055 DEXTER AVE, Detroit, MI 48238
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#10 of 150
public schools
Michigan schools
#65 of 279
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Joy Preparatory Academy
Joy Preparatory Academy serves 171 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Detroit, Michigan. This charter school maintains a notably small learning environment with a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio and 14 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #307 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking is particularly noteworthy given the school's location and the challenges many urban schools face. Joy Preparatory Academy operates as a public charter school, providing families in the area with an alternative educational option. The comprehensive grade range from prekindergarten through high school allows students to potentially remain within the same school community throughout their entire educational journey, fostering continuity and long-term relationships with teachers and peers.
Located on Dexter Avenue in Detroit's 48238 ZIP code, the school serves a community where the median household income is $29,692 and 37.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Despite economic challenges in the surrounding neighborhood, the school has demonstrated its commitment to educational excellence through its impressive statewide ranking.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 171 students, Joy Preparatory Academy 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.
Joy Preparatory Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Joy Preparatory Academy — Students at Joy Preparatory Academy score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Joy Preparatory Academy Compares
See how Joy Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 15.21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 20.26% (2022).
Location
15055 DEXTER AVE, Detroit, MI 48238
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joy Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Keidan Special Education Center (rated 9.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Noble ElementaryMiddle School (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48238 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$30,286
Median Home Value
$58,700
Median Rent
$950/mo
Population
24,569
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
47.1%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
35.8%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joy Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $30,286. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $58,700, with a median rent of $950/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Fruitport, MI | 7.8 |
| The Lincoln Center Wyandotte, MI | 7.8 |
| WISE ACADEMY Dearborn Heights, MI | 7.8 |
| Berrien Springs Virtual Academy Berrien Springs, MI | 7.7 |
| Cooke School Northville, MI | 7.7 |
| Flat River Academy Greenville, MI | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joy Preparatory Academy
What grades does Joy Preparatory Academy serve?
Joy Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Joy Preparatory Academy?
Joy Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 171 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joy Preparatory Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Joy Preparatory Academy is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joy Preparatory Academy rank in MI?
Joy Preparatory Academy is ranked #457 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Joy Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Joy Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Joy Preparatory Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joy Preparatory Academy has 13.9% math proficiency and 19.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Joy Preparatory Academy a charter school?
Yes, Joy Preparatory Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Joy Preparatory Academy a Title I school?
No, Joy Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joy Preparatory Academy?
99.4% of students at Joy Preparatory 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 61 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 50 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 44 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (6,148/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 171
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 340-0023
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Joy Preparatory Academy- District Enrollment
- 171
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,128
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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