Very Good
#926 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 29% in state
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy
Elementary School · Detroit Public Schools Community District
3901 MARGARETA ST, Detroit, MI 48221
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#27 of 150
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#562 of 1,602
In district
#22 of 99
Detroit Public Schools Community District
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Palmer Park Preparatory Academy
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy serves 376 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Detroit's Palmer Park neighborhood. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable 13.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 28 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #490 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education to its diverse student body. Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is located on Margareta Street in a well-established Detroit neighborhood where the median household income is $51,181 and median home values average $121,300. The surrounding community of over 41,000 residents includes 30% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education.
With a poverty rate of 18.8%, the neighborhood demonstrates economic diversity while maintaining stability. The school operates within Detroit's urban landscape, offering families in the Palmer Park area access to a highly-ranked educational option that serves students through their crucial elementary and middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Palmer Park 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Palmer Park Preparatory Academy — Students at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
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
↑ 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: 9.3/10.
How Palmer Park Preparatory Academy Compares
See how Palmer Park Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 4% (2019) to 8.57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 9% (2019) to 9.59% (2022).
Location
3901 MARGARETA ST, Detroit, MI 48221
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmer Park Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 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 Palmer Park 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 |
|---|---|
| Addison Elementary School Addison, MI | 7.1 |
| Alexander Elementary School Adrian, MI | 7.1 |
| Alto Elementary School Alto, MI | 7.1 |
| Bean Elementary School Spring Arbor, MI | 7.1 |
| Breckenridge Elementary School Breckenridge, MI | 7.1 |
| Burns Park Elementary School Ann Arbor, MI | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmer Park Preparatory Academy
What grades does Palmer Park Preparatory Academy serve?
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Palmer Park Preparatory Academy?
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmer Park Preparatory Academy rank in MI?
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is ranked #926 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Palmer Park Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Palmer Park Preparatory Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer Park Preparatory Academy has 10.0% math proficiency and 12.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmer Park Preparatory Academy a charter school?
No, Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmer Park Preparatory Academy a Title I school?
No, Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer Park Preparatory Academy?
62.8% of students at Palmer Park 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 494-7300
- 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
- #22 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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