Summary:
Richfield Public School Academy is a single-school district in Flint, Michigan, serving grades 3 through 8 with 418 students, and it faces severe academic and socioeconomic challenges.
Richfield Public School Academy is the only middle school in this district, so all data reflects this one campus. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 12% of Michigan middle schools over the past three years, with its state percentile dropping from 12th in 2023-2024 to just 4th in 2025-2026, and its star rating falling from 1 star to 0 stars. Test scores across every subject and grade level are dramatically below state averages—for example, 7th grade ELA proficiency is just 6.3% versus the state's 38.4%, and 8th grade PSAT math proficiency is only 6.78% compared to 33.2% statewide. The proficiency gap widens as students progress, from about 25 points behind in 3rd grade to over 32 points behind by 7th grade, indicating cumulative learning loss.
Despite spending $15,340 per student—well above the Michigan average—the school struggles with extreme economic disadvantage, as 95.93% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Chronic absenteeism is a critical barrier, with 44.8% of students missing significant instructional time versus the state's 27.9%. There are some bright spots: 3rd grade ELA improved by 8 points and 3rd grade math by 4.1 points year-over-year, and 8th grade PSAT ELA jumped 7.2 points. However, these early gains erode by middle school, and 7th grade ELA collapsed from 16.2% to 6.3% in one year. The stark contrast between PSAT ELA (32.2%) and PSAT math (6.78%) proficiency suggests a particular weakness in mathematics instruction. For parents, this school faces profound challenges tied to poverty and attendance that require comprehensive interventions beyond increased funding to reverse its declining trajectory.
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