Academy for Business and Technology High School

Academy for Business and Technology High School is a small public charter school in Melvindale, MI, serving 231 students in grades 6 through 12, where nearly all students (98.7%) come from economically disadvantaged households.

This school faces significant academic challenges. State test scores place it in the bottom 6th percentile of Michigan high schools, with only about 14% of 10th graders proficient in English Language Arts compared to the 58% state average. Math proficiency is even lower, sitting in the single digits or low teens. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, affecting 56% of students—double the state average. When compared to nearby Melvindale High School, which serves a similar demographic just 0.39 miles away, the Academy lags behind in nearly every academic metric. For example, Melvindale's 9th-grade PSAT reading proficiency was 31.4% versus the Academy's 21.9%. Even Allen Park High School, with a more affluent student body, shows proficiency rates more than four times higher in some subjects.

There is one encouraging trend: the graduation rate has climbed dramatically from 58.9% in 2020-2021 to 88% in 2024-2025, now above the state average. However, this creates a paradox—students are graduating at higher rates while test scores remain critically low, suggesting a focus on credit recovery rather than academic mastery. The school spends a substantial $16,147 per student, comparable to Henry Ford Academy, which spends slightly less yet achieves far better outcomes. For parents considering this school, the most pressing questions should center on how the school plans to translate its graduation success into genuine academic achievement, particularly given the severe attendance challenges that likely drive much of the low performance.