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Very Good

#911 of 3,192 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#911 of 3,192

In Detroit

#29 of 178

public schools

In district

#24 of 99

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Palmer Park Preparatory Academy

7.1/10

Elementary School in Detroit · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gesu Catholic School

6.1/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pasteur Elementary School

6.2/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Palmer Park Preparatory Academy

Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is a public elementary school in Detroit, MI, part of Detroit Public Schools Community District. Palmer Park Preparatory Academy serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmer Park Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #911 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Palmer Park Preparatory Academy show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.7
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

58% of students at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2022
TrendImproving
Academics1.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-33.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.3 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-26.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,138
Chronic Absenteeism58%

Palmer Park Preparatory Academy — Students at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.8% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 12.5% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2016
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
9%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
9%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
8.7%
ELA
10.9%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Palmer Park Preparatory Academy Compares

See how Palmer Park Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
72th percentile in MI
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.0%

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. Bates Academy (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
GESU CATHOLIC SCHOOL Detroit 0.6 mi 6.1
Pasteur Elementary School Detroit 0.8 mi 6.2
Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology Detroit 0.7 mi 7.1
Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy Detroit 1.0 mi 6.5
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL & ACADEMY Detroit 0.9 mi 5.9
The School at Marygrove Detroit 1.2 mi 3.6
Mary McLeod Bethune ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.4 mi 6.7
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Detroit 1.6 mi 7.1
Joy Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.8 mi 5.7
Bates Academy Detroit 1.4 mi 8.8
Mumford High School Detroit 1.4 mi 5.9
Ferndale High School Ferndale 1.8 mi 7.4
FERNDALE MONTESSORI CENTER Ferndale 1.9 mi
Ferndale Middle School Ferndale 1.9 mi 4.8
MacDowell Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 6.1
CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Detroit 1.6 mi 6.9
Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts Detroit 1.6 mi 6.2
Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.6 mi 7.0
Tri County Educational Center Ferndale 1.9 mi 4.9
New Paradigm Glazer Academy Detroit 2.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams Elementary School Midland, MI 7.1
Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology Detroit, MI 7.1
Clara B Bolen Elementary School Tawas City, MI 7.1
Dean A Naldrett School Chesterfield, MI 7.1
East Jordan Elementary School East Jordan, MI 7.1
Elsa Meyer Elementary School Corunna, 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 ranks #911 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Palmer Park Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmer Park Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmer Park Preparatory Academy has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.0%

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