Average
#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
Enrollment
808
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 9.7/10.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 4% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 16% (2019) to 30% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (313) 494-7373
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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