Best Public Schools in Redford, MI

Redford, Michigan is served by 21 schools across multiple districts, including the South Redford School District and the Redford Union Schools District No. 1, enrolling roughly 7,159 students in elementary through high school, with most schools facing significant economic disadvantage and academic challenges compared to state averages.

For parents, the standout traditional public schools are in the South Redford district. Lee M Thurston High School is the clear academic leader with a 98.4% graduation rate, a 0% dropout rate, and the highest SAT reading scores in the city. Its counterpart, John D Pierce Middle School, outperforms Redford Union Junior High in nearly every subject, and Jane Addams Elementary School is the only elementary in the city to earn a 2-star rating, with 4th-grade reading scores nearly matching the state average. In contrast, the Redford Union district schools like Beech Elementary and Hilbert Elementary School trail by 10-15 percentage points despite spending significantly more per student. Charter schools, including Westfield Charter Academy and WashingtonParks Academy, consistently rank in the bottom quartile statewide, with the latter reporting an extreme 42.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

Chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, with every school exceeding the state average of 27.9%; Westfield Preparatory High School tops the list at 80.1%. Mathematics proficiency is the most severe academic weakness, with no school reaching even 32% proficiency. The Keeler School represents a critical failure point, spending $72,213 per student—nearly six times the state average—yet posting a 0% graduation rate and 75% dropout rate. Redford Union Virtual Learning also struggles with a 48.7% graduation rate. However, there are positive signs: Redford Service Learning Academy Campus improved from the 6th to 14th percentile, and Fostering Leadership Academy shows potential, suggesting that targeted interventions can yield progress even in this challenging environment.