Summary:
Washington-Parks Academy is a single K-8 public charter elementary school in Redford, Michigan (48239), serving 591 students within the Washington-Parks Academy district.
This school faces severe, systemic challenges that parents should understand before enrolling. Academically, it ranks in the bottom 6% of all Michigan schools for three consecutive years (2023-2026), earning zero stars each time. Proficiency rates are dramatically below state averages across every subject and grade level. For example, only 8.7% of 3rd graders and 4.62% of 7th graders are proficient in math, compared to state averages of 42.9% and 33.3% respectively. ELA scores are similarly low, with 4th grade at 8.33% proficiency versus the state's 41.3%. The school's operational metrics are equally concerning: the student-teacher ratio is an extraordinary 42.2:1—more than double the typical elementary average—and chronic absenteeism affects 65.5% of students, more than double the state rate of 27.9%. With 90.19% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school serves a highly economically disadvantaged population, though per-student spending is $14,847 annually.
There are a few small bright spots worth noting. ELA scores improved year-over-year in 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades (e.g., 3rd grade rose from 6.3% to 12.9%). The 8th grade PSAT ELA score of 35.1% is notably higher than earlier-grade M-Step results, and 8th grade social studies (21.1%) represents the school's strongest relative performance. However, math proficiency declines as students advance (from 8.7% in 3rd grade to 4.62% in 7th grade), suggesting cumulative learning gaps. The resource paradox—high spending yet an unsustainable student-teacher ratio—suggests potential misallocation of funds. For parents, the data indicates that addressing attendance and staffing shortages would be critical first steps, but the current trajectory shows a school in crisis requiring comprehensive intervention across all areas.
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