Very Good
#704 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 22% in state
South Arbor Charter Academy
Elementary School · South Arbor Charter Academy
8200 CARPENTER RD, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Enrollment
802
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
802
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ypsilanti
#5 of 22
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#440 of 1,602
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About South Arbor Charter Academy
South Arbor Charter Academy serves 802 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This charter school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #296 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among Michigan schools. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, with 79% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 68% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These results contribute to the school's outstanding academic score of 9.7 out of 10. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, South Arbor maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6 to 1. The school draws families from a diverse community where the median household income is $67,521 and 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds and economic levels, with a poverty rate of 13.6% and median home values around $258,500. Located on Carpenter Road in a large suburban area of Washtenaw County, South Arbor Charter Academy operates within a community of over 66,000 residents who value educational excellence and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at South Arbor Charter Academy is 20.6:1, 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.
South Arbor Charter 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
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South Arbor Charter Academy — Students at South Arbor Charter Academy score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How South Arbor Charter Academy Compares
See how South Arbor Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67.43% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 75% (2019) to 79.08% (2022).
Location
8200 CARPENTER RD, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Arbor Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clifford E Bryant Comm School (rated 8.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Ann Arbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harvest Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Saline), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Paddock Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Milan), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ypsilanti, see our Ypsilanti schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Huron Valley Womens Ypsilanti | 0.6 mi | — |
| Center for Forensic Psychiatry Ann Arbor | 0.6 mi | — |
| Pittsfield Acres Academy Ypsilanti | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Multicultural Academy Ann Arbor | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| WASHTENAW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Saline | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| East Arbor Charter Academy Ypsilanti | 3.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Arbor Preparatory High School Ypsilanti | 3.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Harvest Elementary School Saline | 3.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Scarlett Middle School Ann Arbor | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Childs Elementary School Ypsilanti | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Fortis Academy Ypsilanti | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Mary D Mitchell School Ann Arbor | 4.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Saline High School Saline | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Senior High School Ypsilanti | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
| LCS Virtual Academy Ypsilanti | 3.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Clifford E Bryant Comm School Ann Arbor | 4.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Lincoln Middle School Ypsilanti | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Milan Middle School Milan | 5.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Milan Alternative Education Milan | 5.3 mi | — |
| Paddock Elementary School Milan | 5.4 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48197 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,913
Median Home Value
$274,100
Median Rent
$1,203/mo
Population
65,911
College Educated
46.8%
Homeownership
53.5%
Avg Commute
23.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Arbor Charter Academy has a median household income of $70,913. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,100, with a median rent of $1,203/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Park Elementary School Midland, MI | 7.4 |
| Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School Grand Rapids, MI | 7.4 |
| North Creek Elementary School Chelsea, MI | 7.4 |
| Oaktree Elementary School Goodrich, MI | 7.4 |
| Schoolcraft Elementary School Schoolcraft, MI | 7.4 |
| Ann Arbor Open at Mack School Ann Arbor, MI | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Arbor Charter Academy
What grades does South Arbor Charter Academy serve?
South Arbor Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend South Arbor Charter Academy?
South Arbor Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 802 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Arbor Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at South Arbor Charter Academy is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Arbor Charter Academy rank in MI?
South Arbor Charter Academy is ranked #704 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is South Arbor Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Arbor Charter Academy has a composite rating of 7.4 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 South Arbor Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Arbor Charter Academy has 67.8% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Arbor Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, South Arbor Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is South Arbor Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, South Arbor Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Arbor Charter Academy?
35.3% of students at South Arbor Charter 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ypsilanti). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 802
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Washtenaw County
- Phone
- (734) 528-2821
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Arbor Charter Academy- District Enrollment
- 802
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,376
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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