George Washington Carver Academy

George Washington Carver Academy is a small, two-school public district in Highland Park, Michigan, serving 372 students in grades PK-8 on a single campus, and it ranks among the lowest-performing districts in the state (1st percentile). Both schools serve an almost entirely low-income population (over 99% free/reduced lunch), but they differ notably in attendance and academic trends.

George Washington Carver Middle School is the relative bright spot. Its chronic absenteeism rate (35.8%) is far better than the elementary school’s 67.5%, and it posted the district’s best single result: 35.5% of 8th graders scored proficient on the PSAT English Language Arts exam—well above its M-Step scores in other subjects (8-16%). However, the middle school has slipped recently, dropping from the 15th percentile (2024-25) to the 5th percentile (2025-26), with 5th and 7th grade ELA proficiency falling by 7 and 4.7 points year-over-year. In contrast, George Washington Carver Elementary School struggles more severely: nearly 7 in 10 students are chronically absent, and proficiency rates range from just 7.7% (4th grade ELA) to 13.3% (3rd grade math)—all 29-34 points below state averages. Despite spending $29,562 per student (among the highest in Michigan), the elementary school achieves some of the lowest test scores in the state.

For parents, the key takeaway is that attendance is the clearest lever for improvement, especially at the elementary level where absenteeism is extreme. The middle school’s lower absenteeism and stronger PSAT performance suggest that when students show up, they can make progress—though recent declines are concerning. One notable strength: in 2024-25, 5th graders hit 28.1% proficiency in Social Studies, nearly matching the state average (29.8%), the only subject close to parity. With small class sizes (12.8-14.7:1) but concentrated poverty and a shared campus, these schools face systemic challenges that money alone hasn’t solved. Parents should weigh the elementary school’s attendance crisis against the middle school’s relative engagement, while understanding both schools operate far below state benchmarks.