Summary:
Creative Montessori Academy is a single public charter school in Southgate, Michigan, serving grades PK-8 with 759 students and operating as its own district, Creative Montessori Academy.
This school tells a story of two very different experiences depending on your child's grade level. In the early elementary years, test scores are concerning—3rd grade math proficiency sits at just 7%, and 3rd grade reading at 16.9%, both far below state averages. However, something remarkable happens as students progress. By 7th grade, students are actually outperforming the state: 46.2% are proficient in English Language Arts (compared to 38.4% statewide) and 38.5% in math (compared to 33.3% statewide). The trend peaks in 8th grade, where PSAT reading scores reach 64.4% proficiency (nearly matching the state's 64.8%), and science scores hit 52.3% versus 41.1% statewide. This suggests the Montessori model may take several years to show results, but appears to build strong self-directed learning skills that pay off significantly by middle school.
Parents should be aware of some volatility, particularly in 5th grade, where reading scores dropped 12.2 points and math fell 7.2 points year-over-year. Chronic absenteeism is also a concern at 33.5%, notably higher than the state's 27.9%, which likely suppresses early-grade performance. The school currently holds a 1-star rating and has ranked in the 22nd-24th percentile statewide for three consecutive years, though this aggregate ranking masks the impressive upper-grade achievements. With per-student spending of $12,302, the school appears adequately funded. For parents considering this school, the key takeaway is that early struggles may not predict long-term outcomes—students who remain enrolled through middle school often leave performing at or above state averages, making this a potentially strong choice for families committed to the full Montessori journey through 8th grade.
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