Summary:
Old Redford Academy High is the sole high school within the Old Redford Academy district, serving grades 9 through 12 in Detroit, MI, with 451 students and a high concentration of economically disadvantaged families (80.49% receiving free/reduced lunch).
For parents considering this school, the most critical takeaway is that Old Redford Academy High faces severe academic and engagement challenges. The school ranks in the bottom 2nd percentile statewide (734th out of 739 Michigan high schools), with proficiency rates dramatically below state averages. For example, only 9.5% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing compared to the 52.1% state average, and just 4.94% are proficient in M-Step Social Studies versus 43.2% statewide. The most alarming statistic is the chronic absenteeism rate of 88.1%—meaning nearly 9 out of 10 students miss significant school days—compared to the 27.9% state average. This disengagement likely drives the low test scores and a dropout rate of 16.6%, which is more than double the state's 7.1%.
Despite these challenges, there are a few notable points. The school spends a substantial $15,449 per student, yet outcomes remain low, suggesting financial resources alone aren't solving deeper issues. The graduation rate of 81.2% is surprisingly close to the state average of 84.0%, even with such high absenteeism, which may indicate the use of credit recovery programs. There is also a slight positive trend: the school improved from the 1st percentile in 2024-2025 to the 3rd percentile in 2025-2026. Additionally, the student-to-teacher ratio is very high at 31.1:1, meaning large class sizes and limited individual attention. Parents should weigh these factors carefully, particularly the engagement crisis, when evaluating whether this school can meet their child's needs.
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