Laurus Academy

Laurus Academy is a single K-8 charter school in Southfield, Michigan, serving 791 students within the Laurus Academy district, where a high percentage of students (83%) qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school has shown steady, three-year improvement in its statewide ranking, climbing from the 24th percentile to the 36th percentile and earning a second star. The most encouraging news is in math, where proficiency improved in every grade level last year, with 3rd and 4th graders making particularly strong gains of nearly 9 to 10 percentage points. There is also a standout "pocket of excellence" in 6th grade English Language Arts, where 43% of students are proficient—actually beating the state average. Additionally, 8th grade social studies scores more than doubled in one year, jumping from 17% to 34% proficient. However, these bright spots are tempered by significant challenges. The most pressing issue is chronic absenteeism: over half of the students (51.5%) are chronically absent, which is nearly double the state rate and likely a major barrier to learning. While the school has made progress in ELA and math, science scores declined in both tested grades, and 8th grade PSAT math proficiency remains very low at just 17.9%, creating a large 38-point gap compared to the school's ELA score.

For parents, this is a school with a positive trajectory but persistent achievement gaps. While the school spends a reasonable $12,771 per student and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio, outcomes still trail state averages in most subjects. The school's consistent improvement suggests reforms are taking hold, but the high absenteeism rate and weak middle school math performance are critical areas that need urgent attention. If the school can address attendance barriers and build on its math and 6th grade ELA successes, it has the potential to accelerate its progress toward state averages.