Da Vinci Schools

Da Vinci Schools is a small alternative public school in Jackson, MI, serving 322 students in grades K-12 as its own district, and it faces significant challenges that parents should understand before enrolling their child.

The most critical concern is student engagement and completion. Only 44.8% of students graduated in the 2024-2025 school year, compared to the state average of 84%, while the dropout rate of 30.7% is more than four times the state average. Chronic absenteeism affects 79.2% of students—meaning nearly 4 out of 5 students miss substantial school time. This is dramatically higher than the state average of 27.9% and even exceeds the 68.3% rate at nearby South Central Michigan Virtual. Academic proficiency is also very low, with only about 10% of 7th graders proficient in English and math, compared to state averages of 38.4% and 33.3%. This pattern of scoring 20-30 points below state averages holds across all subjects and grade levels.

While Da Vinci serves a high-needs population (79% qualify for free/reduced lunch) and spends more per student ($12,995) than comparable schools, outcomes remain concerning. For example, LifeTech Academy, another alternative school about 18 miles away, shows significantly better results—with 7th-grade ELA proficiency at 51.2% versus Da Vinci's 10.34%, a higher graduation rate (48%), and a much lower dropout rate (14.6%). This suggests the challenges at Da Vinci are not insurmountable, but current strategies aren't yielding the same results as peer institutions. Parents should also note that performance fluctuates widely year-to-year due to small class sizes, making it hard to identify stable trends. If you're considering this school, it's essential to have direct conversations with staff about how they plan to support your child's specific needs, attendance challenges, and academic goals.