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#2059 of 3,190 schools in MI

Pontiac Academy for Excellence

School · Pontiac Academy for Excellence

196 CESAR E CHAVEZ AVE, Pontiac, MI 48342

Charter

Enrollment

553

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pontiac

#8 of 12

public schools

Michigan schools

#210 of 279

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pontiac Academy for Excellence

Pontiac Academy for Excellence is a charter school located in Pontiac, Michigan. Serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 553 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.5:1 with 27 full-time teachers. Despite its challenges, Pontiac Academy focuses on providing comprehensive education to a diverse group of learners.

The academic performance at Pontiac Academy for Excellence shows room for improvement, with the school ranking in the 9th percentile among Michigan schools and scoring below average according to MySchoolScout’s metrics. In terms of proficiency rates, only 9% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 6% reach this level in Math. Set within a small city environment, Pontiac Academy for Excellence is situated at 196 Cesar E Chavez Avenue and serves its community with dedication despite the challenges it faces.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pontiac Academy for Excellence 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 Pontiac Academy for Excellence is 20.5:1, 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.

Pontiac Academy for Excellence is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.3%
Math vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,468

Pontiac Academy for Excellence — Students at Pontiac Academy for Excellence score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.6%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 8.8%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
9.9%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Pontiac Academy for Excellence Compares

See how Pontiac Academy for Excellence performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in MI
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

196 CESAR E CHAVEZ AVE, Pontiac, MI 48342

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pontiac Academy for Excellence may also want to explore other schools in the area. Kennedy Center (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Childrens Village School (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND MARIST ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pontiac, see our Pontiac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Whitman Elementary School Pontiac 0.8 mi 5.8
Flex High School of Pontiac Pontiac 1.0 mi 7.0
Great Lakes Academy Pontiac 1.0 mi 7.2
SAVE OUR COMMUNITY KORPORATION Pontiac 1.7 mi 7.7
Alcott School Pontiac 1.8 mi 5.1
Virtual Learning Academy Consortium Waterford 1.7 mi 5.7
Oakside Prep Academy Waterford 1.9 mi 6.3
Pontiac High School Pontiac 2.2 mi 7.1
Pontiac Academy for Student Success Pontiac 2.2 mi
Pontiac Middle School Pontiac 2.1 mi 5.7
Kennedy Center Pontiac 2.7 mi 8.0
Owen Elementary School Pontiac 2.7 mi 8.1
Momentum Academy Waterford 2.1 mi 5.6
Walton Charter Academy Pontiac 2.5 mi 6.5
Childrens Village School Pontiac 2.2 mi 7.6
Donelson Hills Elementary School Waterford 2.1 mi 4.6
Herrington School Pontiac 2.2 mi 3.8
NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND MARIST ACADEMY Pontiac 2.9 mi 6.6
Waterford Mott High School Waterford 2.7 mi 5.7
Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac Pontiac 2.9 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,750

Median Home Value

$90,600

Median Rent

$851/mo

Population

17,227

College Educated

9.5%

Homeownership

38.2%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

33.8%

Median Age

34.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pontiac Academy for Excellence has a median household income of $33,750. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,600, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, 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
CamdenFrontier K12 School Camden, MI 5.7
Glen Lake Community School Maple City, MI 5.7
Forest Park School Crystal Falls, MI 5.8
GRANDVILLE CALVIN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Grandville, MI 5.8
AGBU AlexMarie Manoogian School Southfield, MI 5.6
Harper Woods Virtual Academy Harper Woods, MI 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pontiac Academy for Excellence

What grades does Pontiac Academy for Excellence serve?

Pontiac Academy for Excellence serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Pontiac Academy for Excellence?

Pontiac Academy for Excellence has an enrollment of approximately 553 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pontiac Academy for Excellence?

The student-teacher ratio at Pontiac Academy for Excellence is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pontiac Academy for Excellence rank in MI?

Pontiac Academy for Excellence is ranked #2059 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Pontiac Academy for Excellence's MySchoolScout rating?

Pontiac Academy for Excellence has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Pontiac Academy for Excellence?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pontiac Academy for Excellence has 5.6% math proficiency and 8.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pontiac Academy for Excellence a charter school?

Yes, Pontiac Academy for Excellence is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Pontiac Academy for Excellence a Title I school?

No, Pontiac Academy for Excellence is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pontiac Academy for Excellence?

95.8% of students at Pontiac Academy for Excellence 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 (2,636/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Oakland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pontiac Academy for Excellence
District Enrollment
553
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,372
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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