Great Oaks Academy

Great Oaks Academy is a single K-8 school in Warren, Michigan, serving 768 students as its own district, with a high-poverty population (90.76% free/reduced lunch) and a chronic absenteeism rate of 37.5%—well above the state average of 27.9%.

This school shows clear strengths in literacy and social studies at the middle school level. The 7th grade is a standout, with ELA proficiency at 64.9% and math at 42.9%, both significantly exceeding state averages (38.4% and 33.3%, respectively). The 8th grade also shines in social studies, where 68.3% of students are proficient—18 points above the state—and in PSAT ELA, where 78.1% meet benchmarks versus 64.8% statewide. However, math remains a persistent weakness, particularly in 5th and 6th grades, where proficiency rates (27.5% and 24.1%) trail state averages by roughly 5 to 8 points. The 6th grade math decline is especially concerning, dropping 12.9 points year-over-year to 24.1%, suggesting possible transition challenges. Meanwhile, 5th grade social studies is the school's weakest subject at just 17.7% proficiency, though it improved by 7.2 points from the prior year.

Overall, the school is on a positive trajectory. In 2025-2026, it improved in 12 of 16 subject-grade combinations, and its state ranking jumped 126 spots to the 48th percentile. Despite a 2-star rating, the school outperforms state averages in several areas—notably 7th grade ELA and math, 8th grade science and social studies, and PSAT ELA—demonstrating that effective instruction can overcome socioeconomic barriers. The high chronic absenteeism rate is a significant hurdle, and reducing it could accelerate progress. With per-student spending at $13,407 and a 20.5:1 student-teacher ratio, additional instructional support in math and targeted attendance interventions could help the school achieve a 3-star rating within the next couple of years.