Elementary Schools in Highland Park Public School Academy System

The Highland Park Public School Academy System contains just one elementary school, Barber Elementary School, which serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in Highland Park, MI, a community facing significant economic challenges.

Barber Elementary School is facing a severe crisis across nearly every metric. The school ranks in the bottom 1st percentile in Michigan (1481st out of 1492 schools), with test scores that are dramatically below state averages. For example, only 6.98% of 3rd graders are proficient in English Language Arts compared to the state average of 38.2%, and just 7.14% of 4th graders are proficient in math versus the state's 39.4%. The most alarming statistic is the chronic absenteeism rate of 75.4%—nearly three times the state average of 27.9%—meaning three out of four students are regularly missing school. Additionally, the student-to-teacher ratio is an extraordinary 120.6 students per teacher, making individualized instruction nearly impossible. The school also serves a highly economically disadvantaged population, with 94.75% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Despite spending a substantial $17,202 per student—likely above the state average—the academic outcomes remain in the bottom 1% of the state. This spending-versus-outcome paradox suggests that either resources are not being used effectively or the challenges are so profound that current funding is insufficient. There is a small glimmer of hope: ELA proficiency does trend slightly upward in older grades (e.g., 7th-grade ELA reached 17.86% in 2024-2025), indicating that students who stay enrolled may make some progress over time. However, since the school's metrics mirror the district average exactly, this is clearly a systemic issue affecting the entire Highland Park Public School Academy System, not just one school. Any meaningful improvement will require a comprehensive, district-wide strategy focused first on tackling the absenteeism crisis and addressing the catastrophic staffing shortage.