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#1993 of 3,190 schools in MI

Rutherford Winans Academy

Elementary School · Rutherford Winans Academy

16411 CURTIS ST, Detroit, MI 48235

Charter

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Detroit

#81 of 150

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,063 of 1,602

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Rutherford Winans Academy

Rutherford Winans Academy is a charter school located in Detroit, Michigan, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 161 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to its young learners. Eleven full-time teachers work together to provide a supportive educational environment for the diverse group of students at Rutherford Winans Academy.

The academic performance of the school, as reflected in MySchoolScout’s rating and state ranking, indicates areas where growth is needed. The school ranks 2858 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it in the 11th percentile. Both ELA/Reading and Math scores show that only around 13% of students are proficient or above, suggesting a focus on student development and improvement.

Rutherford Winans Academy is situated in a bustling city setting within Detroit, offering its students opportunities to engage with their community while working towards academic success.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 161 students, Rutherford Winans Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Rutherford Winans 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.

Rutherford Winans Academy 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11.4%
Math vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,030

Rutherford Winans Academy — Students at Rutherford Winans Academy score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.6%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 12.6%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 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
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
12.3%
ELA
12.3%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Rutherford Winans Academy Compares

See how Rutherford Winans Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in MI
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

16411 CURTIS ST, Detroit, MI 48235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rutherford Winans Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pembroke Academy (rated 9.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coleman A Young Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vernor Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Old Redford Academy High Detroit 0.5 mi 4.0
Detroit Achievement Academy Detroit 0.5 mi 6.6
LincolnKing AdamsYoung 68 Detroit 0.6 mi 2.9
Bow ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.0 mi 6.9
DETROIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE Detroit 0.9 mi 4.8
Renaissance High School Detroit 0.8 mi 6.7
Pembroke Academy Detroit 1.1 mi 9.4
Jerry L White Center Detroit 0.8 mi 8.7
University Yes Academy Detroit 0.9 mi 4.9
Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies Detroit 1.0 mi 6.9
Randolph Career and Technical Center Detroit 1.0 mi
Cooke STEM Academy Detroit 1.3 mi 6.8
Emerson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.2 mi 6.8
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 5.2
Edison Elementary School Detroit 1.7 mi 4.5
Coleman A Young Elementary School Detroit 1.5 mi 7.5
John R King Academic and Performing Arts Academy Detroit 1.5 mi 6.4
David Ellis Academy Detroit 1.6 mi 7.3
Vernor Elementary School Detroit 1.8 mi 7.1
Henry Ford High School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,011

Median Home Value

$79,400

Median Rent

$1,151/mo

Population

46,960

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

29.7%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rutherford Winans Academy has a median household income of $41,011. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $79,400, with a median rent of $1,151/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Eagles Nest Academy Flint, MI 5.8
JPS Montessori Center Jackson, MI 5.8
Mendon Elementary School Mendon, MI 5.8
OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL Birmingham, MI 5.8
Pennfield Purdy School Battle Creek, MI 5.8
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Livonia, MI 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rutherford Winans Academy

What grades does Rutherford Winans Academy serve?

Rutherford Winans Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Rutherford Winans Academy?

Rutherford Winans Academy has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Winans Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Winans Academy is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rutherford Winans Academy rank in MI?

Rutherford Winans Academy is ranked #1993 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Rutherford Winans Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Rutherford Winans Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Rutherford Winans Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rutherford Winans Academy has 12.6% math proficiency and 12.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rutherford Winans Academy a charter school?

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

Is Rutherford Winans Academy a Title I school?

No, Rutherford Winans Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rutherford Winans Academy?

93.8% of students at Rutherford Winans 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

City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rutherford Winans Academy
District Enrollment
161
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,779
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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