Summary:
Redford Union Schools District No. 1 is home to a single middle school, Redford Union Junior High, which serves grades 7 through 9 in Redford, Michigan, with 409 students and a high-poverty population where nearly 74% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Redford Union Junior High consistently ranks in the bottom fifth of Michigan middle schools, holding a 1-star rating across the past three years. Academic proficiency trails state averages by 16 to 28 percentage points in every subject. Math is the most critical weakness, with only 11–14% of students proficient on M-Step and PSAT exams across all grade levels. Science shows the largest gap versus the state at nearly 26 points, and 8th grade science scores dropped sharply from 18.9% to 13.3% in one year. The school’s relative strength is 9th grade PSAT ELA at 37.1% proficiency, though this still lags the state by 23 points. Chronic absenteeism is a crisis-level concern at 60.2%—more than double the state average of 27.9%—and is likely a major factor suppressing achievement.
Despite these challenges, the school slightly outperforms its own district average in nearly every subject and grade level, suggesting it is doing relatively well given its student population. Per-student spending is high at $21,929, yet outcomes remain low, indicating that financial resources alone have not overcome the barriers these students face. Year-over-year trends are mixed: 7th grade ELA and 8th grade PSAT math improved, while 8th grade PSAT ELA dropped nearly 9 points. The unusual 7–9 grade configuration means the school must address both middle school fundamentals and high school readiness, and while ELA skills appear to grow as students advance, math proficiency remains stagnant. For parents, the most actionable priorities are improving attendance, strengthening early math foundations, and preparing students for more rigorous assessments.
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