Westfield Charter Academy

Westfield Charter Academy is a public charter district in Redford, Michigan, serving about 1,564 students across two schools: Westfield Charter Academy (elementary, grades K-6) and Westfield Preparatory High School (grades 7-12). The district serves a predominantly low-income population, with over 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and currently holds a 1-star rating, ranking in the bottom fifth of Michigan districts.

Comparing the two schools, the elementary campus is the stronger performer, though it still faces significant challenges. It holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 16th percentile of elementary schools, while the high school has a 0-star rating and sits in the 9th percentile. The most glaring difference is in attendance: a staggering 80.1% of high school students are chronically absent, compared to 49.2% at the elementary level—both far above the state average of 27.9%. Academically, the elementary school shows some relative strength in early grades (e.g., 31.8% proficiency in 3rd grade math), but performance drops sharply by 4th grade, where math proficiency collapsed to just 8.0%. The high school struggles across the board, with only 18.4% of 11th graders proficient in SAT reading/writing and just 7% of 10th graders proficient in PSAT math. The high school also has a 73.9% graduation rate and a 15.9% dropout rate, both significantly worse than state averages.

For parents, the key takeaway is that while the elementary school provides a modest foundation, students fall progressively behind as they advance. Science and social studies are critical weaknesses at both levels—only 8.7% of 11th graders are proficient in science. There are some bright spots, such as strong year-over-year gains in 8th grade science and social studies, but these are isolated. The district spends more per pupil at the elementary level ($14,113 vs. $12,730), despite the high school facing more acute challenges. Given the extreme absenteeism and declining test scores, families should carefully consider whether the current trajectory meets their child's needs, particularly for middle and high school years.