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#1751 of 3,190 schools in MI

Martin Luther King JR Senior High School

High School · Detroit Public Schools Community District

3200 EAST LAFAYETTE ST, Detroit, MI 48207

Enrollment

808

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Detroit

#71 of 150

public schools

Michigan high schools

#379 of 812

In district

#66 of 99

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Martin Luther King JR Senior High School

Martin Luther King Jr Senior High School serves grades 9–12 in Detroit, educating 808 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1. As a public high school located on East Lafayette Street, it's part of Detroit's urban landscape. Academically, the school is working with significant challenges.

Math proficiency stands at 7% of students meeting or exceeding state standards, while ELA/Reading proficiency is at 23%. These results suggest the school has considerable room for growth and is focused on building foundational skills across its student body. The school's overall academic score of 2.7/10 reflects these performance levels, placing it in the bottom third of Michigan schools statewide.

With 39 full-time equivalent teachers supporting nearly 800 students, the school maintains a manageable class structure. The student-teacher ratio of roughly 21:1 provides opportunity for meaningful teacher-student interaction, which can be especially valuable as the school works to strengthen academic outcomes. For families considering Martin Luther King Jr Senior High, the school represents an accessible neighborhood option in Detroit's urban core.

Parents weighing enrollment may want to explore what specific academic support and programs the school offers to help students progress toward proficiency in core subjects.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Martin Luther King JR Senior High School 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR Senior High School is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Martin Luther King JR Senior High School — Students at Martin Luther King JR Senior High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 7.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
4%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Martin Luther King JR Senior High School Compares

See how Martin Luther King JR Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in MI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

3200 EAST LAFAYETTE ST, Detroit, MI 48207

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Martin Luther King JR Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WAY Michigan (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cass Technical High School (rated 7.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine (rated 6.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Detroit 0.2 mi 6.6
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School Detroit 0.2 mi 5.4
University Preparatory Science and Math PSAD High School Detroit 0.4 mi 4.7
Bunche Preparatory Academy Detroit 0.4 mi 6.2
University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary Detroit 0.8 mi 3.2
Chrysler Elementary School Detroit 0.9 mi 6.8
Moses Field Center Detroit 1.0 mi 9.8
Garvey Academy Detroit 1.4 mi 7.5
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School Detroit 1.5 mi 7.9
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Detroit 1.2 mi 3.0
Detroit Edison Public School Academy High School Detroit 1.3 mi 4.9
WAY Michigan Detroit 1.5 mi 7.1
DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL Detroit 1.8 mi 7.7
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.9 mi 6.0
Detroit Prep Detroit 2.1 mi 5.3
Plymouth Educational Center Detroit 2.0 mi 4.6
Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine Detroit 1.9 mi 6.8
Spain ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.9 mi 6.0
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 2.5 mi 6.4
Cass Technical High School Detroit 2.3 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,561

Median Home Value

$193,800

Median Rent

$1,040/mo

Population

20,068

College Educated

35.5%

Homeownership

25.8%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

28.8%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Martin Luther King JR Senior High School has a median household income of $44,561. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,800, with a median rent of $1,040/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL Bloomfield Hills, MI 6.1
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL Farmington Hills, MI 6.1
Mumford High School Detroit, MI 6.1
Owosso High School Owosso, MI 6.1
Pinckney Community High School Pinckney, MI 6.1
Tri County Senior High School Howard City, MI 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Martin Luther King JR Senior High School

What grades does Martin Luther King JR Senior High School serve?

Martin Luther King JR Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Martin Luther King JR Senior High School?

Martin Luther King JR Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 808 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR Senior High School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Martin Luther King JR Senior High School rank in MI?

Martin Luther King JR Senior High School is ranked #1751 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Martin Luther King JR Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Martin Luther King JR Senior High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Martin Luther King JR Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martin Luther King JR Senior High School has 7.0% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Martin Luther King JR Senior High School a charter school?

No, Martin Luther King JR Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Martin Luther King JR Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Martin Luther King JR Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Martin Luther King JR Senior High School?

72.8% of students at Martin Luther King JR Senior High School 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

City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
808
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.8%
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
#66 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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