Summary:
Fortis Academy, located in Ypsilanti, MI, is the sole elementary school in this area, serving grades K-8 with 681 students and a high-need population where 89% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
For parents considering Fortis Academy, the most important takeaway is that this school faces significant academic challenges, particularly in math and science, where proficiency rates are often half or less than half of the Michigan state average. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency sits at just 14.3% compared to the state's 32.2%, and 8th-grade science is 21.2% versus the state's 39.2%. The school holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 26th percentile statewide. Chronic absenteeism is also a major concern, with 37.6% of students missing significant school days, nearly 10 points above the state average. On a positive note, the school spends a substantial $14,447 per student, which is a higher-than-average investment, though it has not yet translated into strong outcomes.
There is one standout bright spot worth noting: 7th-grade English Language Arts proficiency reached 41.7% in the 2025-2026 school year, actually surpassing the state average of 38.4% and showing a dramatic jump from 28% the prior year. This suggests that some instructional strategies in the middle school ELA department are working well and could be replicated in other subjects. However, math remains a pervasive weakness across all grades, and the high absenteeism rate is likely a key driver of low performance. While the school's star rating dropped from 2 to 1 stars recently, its numerical rank improved slightly, indicating it is not falling further behind its peers. Overall, Fortis Academy is a school with significant resources and clear challenges, but the 7th-grade ELA success offers hope that targeted improvements are possible.
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