New Paradigm College Prep

New Paradigm College Prep is a small, PK-12 charter school in Detroit, MI, serving 215 students as its own single-school district. This school stands out for its remarkable early-grade math results, but families should also be aware of significant challenges in reading and a lack of public data on high school outcomes.

In the most recent testing year, the school’s 3rd and 4th graders posted math proficiency rates of 68% and 75%, respectively—far exceeding the state averages of 42.9% and 39.4%. This performance also dwarfs nearby elementary programs like Hope of Detroit Academy Elementary (24.2% and 17.5% in the same grades) and Academy of The Americas High School (21.1% in 4th grade). Social studies is another strength, with 5th graders scoring 61.5% and 8th graders 78.3%—both more than 28 points above state averages. However, this early success doesn’t carry through: 5th grade math drops to 34.6%, and English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency lags below state averages in every grade, ranging from 16% in 3rd grade to 34.6% in 5th grade. The school also lacks reported graduation and dropout rates, making it hard to judge its secondary program, though nearby Hope of Detroit Academy MiddleHigh reports a 90.6% graduation rate.

On a positive note, chronic absenteeism has fallen dramatically from 60.5% in 2021-2022 to 32.3% in 2024-2025, showing steady improvement, though it still trails the state average of 27.9%. The student body is predominantly low-income, with 65.6% qualifying for free/reduced lunch—a figure that has declined from 81.1% two years prior. Per-student spending is $15,378, which is less than nearby Detroit Public Schools Community District virtual options and Hope of Detroit Academy, yet the school achieves superior early-grade math results. For parents prioritizing strong elementary math and social studies, this school shows promise, but they should investigate literacy support and ask about secondary outcomes before enrolling.