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Average

#2027 of 3,192 schools in MI

Joy Preparatory Academy

School · Joy Preparatory Academy

15055 DEXTER AVE, Detroit, MI 48238

Charter

Enrollment

171

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,027 of 3,192

In Detroit

#115 of 178

public schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Joy Preparatory Academy

5.7/10

School in Detroit · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thurgood Marshall Elementary School

7.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy

6.5/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Joy Preparatory Academy

Joy Preparatory Academy is a public school in Detroit, MI, part of Joy Preparatory Academy. Joy Preparatory Academy serves approximately 171 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Joy Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,027 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Joy Preparatory Academy show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below MI schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • MI avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 171 students, Joy Preparatory Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Joy Preparatory Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

39% of students at Joy Preparatory Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)13% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,128
Chronic Absenteeism39.2%

Joy Preparatory Academy — Students at Joy Preparatory Academy score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 23.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 38 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
56%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
5%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
11%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
10%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
17.2%
ELA
20.8%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Joy Preparatory Academy Compares

See how Joy Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
37th percentile in MI
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.2%

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 8.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palmer Park Preparatory Academy (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Detroit 0.5 mi 7.1
Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy Detroit 1.0 mi 6.5
GESU CATHOLIC SCHOOL Detroit 1.2 mi 6.1
Mary McLeod Bethune ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.0 mi 6.7
New Paradigm Glazer Academy Detroit 1.0 mi 6.7
Hope Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 3.1
The School at Marygrove Detroit 1.3 mi 3.6
Flagship Charter Academy Detroit 1.4 mi 3.8
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.8 mi 7.1
Noble ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.7 mi 6.4
Keidan Special Education Center Detroit 1.9 mi 8.7
Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology Detroit 1.8 mi 7.1
Covenant School Spectrum Highland Park 1.5 mi
Central High School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.1
Durfee ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.0
LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL Detroit 1.6 mi 6.6
CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Detroit 1.8 mi 6.9
Mumford High School Detroit 2.0 mi 5.9
George Washington Carver Elementary School Highland Park 1.8 mi 6.9
George Washington Carver Middle School Highland Park 1.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Bain, MI 5.8
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids, MI 5.8
Swartz Creek Virtual Learning Center Swartz Creek, MI 5.6
Cooke School Northville, MI 5.9
Flat River Academy Greenville, MI 5.9
MCESA and Sugnet School Classroom Programs Midland, MI 5.9

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 ranks #2,027 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Joy Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Joy Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Joy Preparatory Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joy Preparatory Academy has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.2%

District

Joy Preparatory Academy
District Enrollment
171
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,128
District Rank
#1 of 1

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