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University Yes Academy

Q: Is University Yes Academy a good school?

University Yes Academy ranks 1089 th of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

1089^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Alternative Schools

Better than 27% of Michigan alternative schools

Summary

University Yes Academy is a K-12 public school academy in Detroit, MI, serving 388 students as its own district, where 91% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school stands out for its remarkable recent improvements. Chronic absenteeism has dropped dramatically from 82.1% in 2021-2022 to 45.4% in 2024-2025—a 36.7 percentage point improvement that now puts it ahead of several comparable alternative schools like Keeler School (66.9%) and Edison (73.9%). The school has also invested heavily in staffing, cutting the student-teacher ratio nearly in half from 39.2 to 20.4 over the same period. Per-pupil spending has risen to $17,279, yet this remains far more efficient than peer institutions—Keeler spends $72,213 per student and Edison spends $103,833, despite both having 0% graduation rates.

Academically, the school shows a notable strength in early elementary math. In the most recent testing, 3rd grade math proficiency reached 46.8%, actually exceeding the state average of 42.9% and far surpassing nearby alternatives like Lighthouse Connections Academy (13.1%) and David Ellis Academy (25%). However, these gains tend to fade by later grades—4th grade math drops to 25.9% and 5th grade to 20.4%. The 8th grade PSAT math scores are a particular concern at just 5.88% proficiency, well below the state average of 33.2%. While the school serves a highly economically disadvantaged population (91% free/reduced lunch) compared to schools like AGBU AlexMarie Manoogian School (54.9%), its early elementary results suggest effective instructional practices that could potentially be expanded to older grades.

388

Students ?

20.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,279

Per pupil spending ?

91.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

14717 Curtis St
Detroit, MI 48235

(313) 270-2556

District: University Yes Academy

Racial breakdown:

African American:

99.2%

Two or more races:

0.8%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare University Yes Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 4th percentile in 2019 → 22nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 18 percentile points since 2019

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (22% vs 40% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (45% vs 28% Michigan)

!Mathematics scores 27 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school22%

District avg22%

Michigan avg40%

Elementary school

1,089^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 27%▲ up 23 pts since 2016

From bottom 4% (2016) to bottom 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

695^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Bottom 22%▲ up 19 pts since 2016

From bottom 3% (2016) to bottom 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	24.6	1089 of 1492	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	13.1	1296 of 1488	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	11.7	1318 of 1486	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	5.8	1426 of 1470	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	4.7	1374 of 1408	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	12.1	1323 of 1448	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	5.6	1418 of 1466	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	6.1	1492 of 1548	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	8.0	1503 of 1580	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	4.2	1516 of 1533	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	5.9	1522 of 1563	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	52.5	136 of 388	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	34.9	221 of 369	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.3	216 of 348	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	18.2	282 of 321	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	16.3	197 of 212	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	39.8	272 of 475	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	27.1	955 of 1343	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	15.0	1160 of 1338	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	10.8	1232 of 1342	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.6	1183 of 1321	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	3.9	1162 of 1171	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	12.4	1295 of 1443	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	34.1	876 of 1352	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	19.5	1127 of 1346	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.2	1213 of 1381	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	9.1	1286 of 1350	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.6	1106 of 1134	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	18.4	1210 of 1397	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	18.2	1142 of 1372	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	10.0	1262 of 1366	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	12.1	1212 of 1347	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.1	1277 of 1446	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	20.6	695 of 896	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	7.9	844 of 890	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.1	817 of 897	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.1	848 of 883	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	6.5	750 of 776	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.2	761 of 792	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	21.6	691 of 838	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	17.7	685 of 821	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	5.8	867 of 894	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	9.2	848 of 919	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	5.7	895 of 921	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	9.4	857 of 919	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	40.8	171 of 337	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	20.5	295 of 338	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.1	206 of 300	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	18.8	273 of 310	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.3	157 of 182	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.7	176 of 196	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.2	172 of 366	53.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	23.3	611 of 789	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	5.9	771 of 789	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.4	738 of 771	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.7	637 of 658	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	25.2	605 of 794	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	29.5	593 of 834	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	8.4	799 of 832	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	14.2	753 of 836	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	9.2	787 of 825	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.0	661 of 691	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	8.4	645 of 672	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	27.7	621 of 815	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	16.9	687 of 813	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	11.6	722 of 798	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	17.5	661 of 786	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	17.0	664 of 797	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

African American (2026)65th percentile+38 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)35th percentile+8 vs school

Female (2026)29th percentile~ school

Male (2026)17th percentile-10 vs school

Middle school

African American (2026)49th percentile+27 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)29th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)23rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)15th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Math30%-6 vs state

English Language Arts22%-18 vs state

Social Studies18%-21 vs state

Science13%-26 vs state

Mathematics6%-27 vs state

★

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Schools Near University Yes Academy

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)			PSAT Mathematics (2026)			SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step English Language Arts (2026)					M-Step Math (2026)					M-Step Science (2026)			M-Step Social Studies (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
University Yes Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	14717 Curtis St	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	University Yes Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 270-2556	388	19	20.4	91.2%	0 (0.0%)	385 (99.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)								(n/a)	19.6			5.9					25.5	25.9	18.5	18.2	20.0	46.8	25.9	20.4	31.8	28.9	13.0	13.7		9.3	27.5		$17,279	$2,425	$14,854
David Ellis Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	18977 Schaefer Hwy	Detroit	48235	Wayne County	David Ellis Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 450-0642	206	15	14.2	92.7%	0 (0.0%)	205 (99.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	37.5			364.4					20.0	25.0	14.3	31.8	60.0	25.0	1375.5	1462.4	1570.4	35.0	1472.6	18.8		1465.9	18.8		$15,930	$2,079	$13,851
The School at Marygrove	Public, Alternative	K-12	8425 W McNichols Rd	Detroit	48221	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 335-1331	606	38	15.9	68.3%	8 (1.3%)	597 (98.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)								(n/a)		48.7	55.6		9.6	15.2	55.7	10.1	28.8	46.3	48.8			39.7	43.9	30.2			27.9		19.2	23.8		31.3	$21,554	$2,272	$19,282
NOVA Discipline Academy	Public, Alternative	2-12	13900 Granzon St	Oak Park	48237	Oakland County	Oak Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(248) 336-7650	108	6	18.0	84.3%	3 (2.8%)	102 (94.4%)	2 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)		27.3	321.3		317.3	313.0	367.4	349.1													2067.5			11.4	$22,121	$2,706	$19,415
AGBU AlexMarie Manoogian School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	22001 Northwestern Hwy	Southfield	48075	Oakland County	AGBU Alex-Marie Manoogian School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(248) 569-2988	426	27	15.6	54.9%	420 (98.6%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	68.4	74.4	51.4	39.5	53.8	25.7	51.3	30.8	46.4	60.7	50.0	54.8	58.6	50.0	53.6	39.3	35.5	65.5	50.0	44.7	48.7	42.9	50.0	51.3	$12,193	$652	$11,541
Kennedy Learning Center	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	16229 Mount Vernon St	Southfield	48075	Oakland County	Southfield Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(248) 746-8828	46	5	9.2	52.2%	2 (4.3%)	41 (89.1%)	2 (4.3%)	1 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																									$50,809	$5,696	$45,113
Joy Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	15055 Dexter Ave	Detroit	48238	Wayne County	Joy Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(313) 340-0023	161	12	13.3	—	0 (0.0%)	159 (98.8%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	61.5			390.0					21.4	18.2	25.0	31.3	38.9	1283.3	13.6	1461.1	1572.7	1669.7	1476.5	30.8		1470.8	53.9		$00	$00	$00
Edison	Public, Alternative	K-12	1650 Mapledale St	Ferndale	48220	Oakland County	Hazel Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	No	(248) 658-5400	65	9	7.1	53.8%	31 (47.7%)	30 (46.2%)	3 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																									$103,833	$1,224	$102,608
Keeler School	Public, Alternative	K-12	17715 Brady	Redford	48240	Wayne County	Redford Union Schools District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(313) 242-3900	99	16	6.1	55.6%	54 (54.5%)	39 (39.4%)	4 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.0%)								(n/a)	330.0	314.6		282.0	250.0																				$72,213	$3,277	$68,936
Jardon Vocational School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2200 Woodward Hts	Ferndale	48220	Oakland County	Hazel Park School District of the City of	No	No	No	No	(248) 658-5950	34	7	4.5	32.4%	17 (50.0%)	15 (44.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.9%)	1 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																									$86,190	$684	$85,507

Frequently Asked Questions about University Yes Academy

How many students attend University Yes Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 388 students attended University Yes Academy.

What district is University Yes Academy in?

University Yes Academy

Is University Yes Academy a good school?

University Yes Academy ranks 1089^th of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of University Yes Academy?

Students at University Yes Academy are 99% African American.

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.