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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.6%
Math vs. State Avg-33.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.3 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-26.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

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 10.0%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 12.2%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 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
9%
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: 9.3/10.

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
71th percentile in MI
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
GESU CATHOLIC SCHOOL Detroit 0.6 mi 6.1
Pasteur Elementary School Detroit 0.8 mi 5.3
Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology Detroit 0.7 mi 7.2
Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy Detroit 1.0 mi 6.1
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL & ACADEMY Detroit 0.9 mi 5.8
The School at Marygrove Detroit 1.2 mi 4.5
Mary McLeod Bethune ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.4 mi 6.9
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Detroit 1.6 mi 7.7
Joy Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.8 mi 7.8
Bates Academy Detroit 1.4 mi 7.0
Mumford High School Detroit 1.4 mi 6.1
Ferndale High School Ferndale 1.8 mi 8.2
FERNDALE MONTESSORI CENTER Ferndale 1.9 mi
Ferndale Middle School Ferndale 1.9 mi 5.9
MacDowell Preparatory Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 4.9
CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Detroit 1.6 mi 6.9
Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts Detroit 1.6 mi 6.5
Greenfield Union ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.6 mi 7.5
Tri County Educational Center Ferndale 1.9 mi 4.2
New Paradigm Glazer Academy Detroit 2.2 mi 5.7

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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
#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 methodology

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