Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Dequindre

Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Dequindre is a public school academy in Warren, MI, serving 573 students in grades K-12 through the Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy district, where nearly all students (99.83%) come from economically disadvantaged households.

This school has shown real progress recently, but it still faces significant hurdles. The most encouraging news is the graduation rate, which jumped to 86.4% in 2024-2025—above the state average and the school's best mark in five years. That's a remarkable 15.9-point improvement over the prior year, though the rate has bounced around (from 70.5% to 86.4%) in recent years, so consistency remains a question. Chronic absenteeism, while still high at 48.5% (nearly double the state rate), has improved dramatically from a pandemic peak of 89.6%. This matters because attendance and achievement are closely linked here. The biggest concern is math proficiency, which is strikingly low despite the school's name: only 8.3% of 4th graders and 7% of 5th graders scored proficient, compared to roughly 39% and 32% statewide. English Language Arts scores are better but still trail state averages. The school spends $15,728 per student—more than nearby New Dawn Academy of Warren ($12,686)—yet New Dawn achieves far stronger test scores and has a chronic absenteeism rate of just 10.1%, suggesting that resources alone don't tell the full story.

Compared to other alternative schools in the area, this school is a mid-tier performer. It significantly outperforms NOVA Discipline Academy (85.9% chronic absenteeism) and Keith Bovenschen School on graduation and attendance, and its 86.4% graduation rate far exceeds Advantage Alternative Program (24.1%) and Center Line Preparatory Academy (66.6%). However, it lags behind Keys Grace Academy, which boasts an 8.2% absenteeism rate. The recent upward trends in graduation and attendance offer cautious hope, but the persistent math gaps and the fact that nearly half of students are still chronically absent mean the school has substantial work ahead to deliver on its STEM-focused promise.