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#2217 of 3,190 schools in MI

Oakley W Best Middle School

Middle School · Dearborn Heights School District #7

22201 POWERS AVE, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125

Enrollment

574

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dearborn Heights

#12 of 18

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#316 of 497

In district

#3 of 6

Dearborn Heights School District #7

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Oakley W Best Middle School

Oakley W Best Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Oakley W Best has an enrollment of 574 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a large suburban area, providing a familiar yet vibrant environment for its students.

Oakley W Best Middle School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks at #2460 among the 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it around the 23rd percentile statewide. The academic score is 2.6 out of 10, with test results showing that 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 12% are proficient or above in math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Oakley W Best Middle School remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment focused on student development.

The school is situated in a neighborhood that offers a mix of residential homes and community resources, making it an integral part of the local area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.7%
Math vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,142

Oakley W Best Middle School — Students at Oakley W Best Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.4%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
10.5%
ELA
28.7%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Oakley W Best Middle School Compares

See how Oakley W Best Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in MI
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

22201 POWERS AVE, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Oakley W Best Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Duvall Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Dearborn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nowlin Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Dearborn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Polk Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dearborn Heights, see our Dearborn Heights schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pardee School Dearborn Heights 0.3 mi 3.6
Annapolis High School Dearborn Heights 0.5 mi 3.8
Polk Elementary School Dearborn Heights 0.8 mi 7.7
Dearborn Heights Virtual Academy Dearborn Heights 0.8 mi 5.5
Nowlin Elementary School Dearborn 1.1 mi 8.2
WhitmoreBolles Elementary School Dearborn 1.2 mi 7.1
DEARBORN EARLY LEARNING CENTER Dearborn 1.3 mi
Taylor Parks Elementary School Taylor 1.2 mi 4.9
Smith Middle School Dearborn 1.3 mi 6.5
Quest Charter Academy Taylor 1.3 mi 6.0
Edsel Ford High School Dearborn 1.7 mi 6.7
Duvall Elementary School Dearborn 1.9 mi 9.3
Clarence Randall Elem School Taylor 2.0 mi 4.9
Thorne Elementary School Dearborn Heights 1.5 mi 6.0
Blair Moody Elementary School Taylor 1.9 mi 5.1
Bedford School Dearborn Heights 1.5 mi 6.1
West Village Academy Dearborn 1.6 mi 4.5
Dearborn Public Schools Virtual K12 Dearborn 1.6 mi 3.4
Long Elementary School Dearborn 1.8 mi 5.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Dearborn 2.3 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,534

Median Home Value

$119,300

Median Rent

$1,298/mo

Population

22,156

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

21.7%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Oakley W Best Middle School has a median household income of $59,534. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,300, with a median rent of $1,298/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, 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
Alger Middle School Grand Rapids, MI 5.5
Discovery Middle School Canton, MI 5.5
Heritage Junior High School Sterling Heights, MI 5.5
Middle School North Macomb, MI 5.5
Milwood Magnet School Kalamazoo, MI 5.5
Pioneer Middle School Plymouth, MI 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Oakley W Best Middle School

What grades does Oakley W Best Middle School serve?

Oakley W Best Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Oakley W Best Middle School?

Oakley W Best Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 574 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Oakley W Best Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Oakley W Best Middle School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Oakley W Best Middle School rank in MI?

Oakley W Best Middle School is ranked #2217 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Oakley W Best Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Oakley W Best Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Oakley W Best Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oakley W Best Middle School has 12.4% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Oakley W Best Middle School a charter school?

No, Oakley W Best Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Oakley W Best Middle School a Title I school?

No, Oakley W Best Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oakley W Best Middle School?

82.6% of students at Oakley W Best Middle 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 (1,707/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
574
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dearborn Heights School District #7
District Enrollment
2,459
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,297
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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