Pembroke Academy

Pembroke Academy is a single K-8 elementary school in Detroit, MI, serving 390 students and operating as its own district, which means the school and Pembroke Academy district data are identical.

This school is a remarkable standout. It holds a 5-star SchoolDigger rating and ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide (119th out of 1,492 schools) for the 2025-2026 school year, while its district ranks 12th out of 625 districts in Michigan. What makes this even more impressive is that 84.62% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, yet the school’s test scores are far above state averages in every subject and grade level. For example, 5th-grade ELA proficiency is 92.1% versus the state’s 43.8%, and 7th-grade math proficiency is 82.1% versus the state’s 33.3%. Even in science and social studies, the school posts proficiency rates of 68.4% and 73.7%, respectively, compared to state averages of 40.0% and 27.5%. The school also shows strong year-over-year growth, with 5th-grade social studies jumping from 48% to 73.7% proficiency in one year.

With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and per-student spending of $17,556, the school invests heavily in its students, which likely supports its consistent excellence across all subjects. The one area of concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 31.2%—higher than the state average of 27.9%. This is a common challenge in high-poverty schools, but given the school’s stellar academic results despite this hurdle, it suggests a highly effective and resilient educational environment. For parents, Pembroke Academy offers a top-tier education that is closing achievement gaps and delivering results that are often double or triple the state average, making it an exceptional choice in the Detroit area.