Frontier International Academy

Frontier International Academy is a K-12 public school academy in Detroit, MI, serving 737 students as its own district, and it stands out for its remarkable success in keeping students engaged and on track to graduate despite serving a student body where 100% of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

The most striking achievement at Frontier is its attendance and graduation record. Chronic absenteeism sits at just 10.2%, which is dramatically lower than the state average of 27.9% and far better than nearby schools like Detroit International Academy for Young Women, which has a 44.6% chronic absenteeism rate. Over the past three years, Frontier’s graduation rate has climbed from 76.7% to an impressive 91.5%, now exceeding the Michigan state average of 84.0%. This is a standout achievement when compared to other alternative schools in the area, such as Turning Point Academy (0% graduation rate) and Bridge Impact (71.5%). The school has also invested in smaller class sizes, reducing its student-teacher ratio from 26.4 to 16.4 over two years, which likely supports the strong student engagement.

However, there is a clear gap between keeping students in school and ensuring they master academic skills. While attendance and graduation are excellent, proficiency rates on state tests remain a challenge. For example, only 24.1% of 3rd graders were proficient in ELA (compared to 38.2% statewide), and SAT scores show just 10.9% proficiency in math versus 26.5% statewide. That said, there are signs of improvement, such as 3rd grade ELA proficiency jumping from 11.1% to 24.1% in one year. At $12,358 per student, Frontier spends far less than many comparable schools—like DPSCD Virtual School at $27,470—while achieving far better graduation outcomes. For parents, this school offers a safe, supportive environment where students show up and graduate, but it may require extra academic support at home to boost test scores.