Below Average
#2614 of 3,190 schools in MI
Macdowell Preparatory Academy
Elementary School · MacDowell Preparatory Academy
4201 WEST OUTER DR, Detroit, MI 48221
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#113 of 150
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,333 of 1,602
About Macdowell Preparatory Academy
MacDowell Preparatory Academy is a charter school located in Detroit, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a range of educational programs within its regular public school framework. With an enrollment of 368 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, MacDowell aims to provide personalized attention to each child.
The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body. Academically, MacDowell Preparatory Academy is in the lower quartile among Michigan schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3089 out of 3204. Students perform below average on standardized tests: only 14% are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while just 7% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school is focused on student development and continuous improvement. MacDowell Preparatory Academy is situated within a large urban setting, offering access to various community resources and activities for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Macdowell Preparatory 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.
Macdowell 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Macdowell Preparatory Academy — Students at Macdowell Preparatory Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Macdowell Preparatory Academy Compares
See how Macdowell Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2019) to 7.39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 12.18% (2022).
Location
4201 WEST OUTER DR, Detroit, MI 48221
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Macdowell Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vernor Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palmer Park Preparatory Academy (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 48221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,583
Median Home Value
$138,700
Median Rent
$1,174/mo
Population
41,750
College Educated
29.3%
Homeownership
65.1%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Macdowell Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $55,583. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,700, with a median rent of $1,174/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| AA Rather School Ionia, MI | 4.9 |
| Academy for Business and Technology Elementary Dearborn, MI | 4.9 |
| Beechview Elementary School Farmington Hills, MI | 4.9 |
| Burton Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 4.9 |
| Clarence Randall Elem School Taylor, MI | 4.9 |
| Coloma Elementary School Coloma, MI | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Macdowell Preparatory Academy
What grades does Macdowell Preparatory Academy serve?
Macdowell Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Macdowell Preparatory Academy?
Macdowell Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 368 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Macdowell Preparatory Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Macdowell Preparatory Academy is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Macdowell Preparatory Academy rank in MI?
Macdowell Preparatory Academy is ranked #2614 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Macdowell Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Macdowell Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Macdowell Preparatory Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Macdowell Preparatory Academy has 7.0% math proficiency and 13.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Macdowell Preparatory Academy a charter school?
Yes, Macdowell Preparatory Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Macdowell Preparatory Academy a Title I school?
No, Macdowell Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Macdowell Preparatory Academy?
91.6% of students at Macdowell 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
- City Safety
- High (6,148/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 368
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 494-8141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MacDowell Preparatory Academy- District Enrollment
- 368
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,910
- 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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