Mason Academy

Mason Academy is a mid-sized elementary school in Detroit, MI, serving 476 students in grades PK through 8 as part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

The most striking thing about Mason Academy right now is its dramatic turnaround. After ranking in the bottom 2% of Michigan schools for the past two years, the school jumped to the 15th percentile statewide in the most recent data—a massive improvement that sets it apart from nearby schools. For comparison, Dove Academy of Detroit only moved from the 8th to the 10th percentile, and Nolan Elementary-Middle School went from the 5th to the 11th percentile over the same period. This suggests real, positive changes are happening at Mason. The school has also made significant strides in reducing chronic absenteeism, which dropped from a staggering 92% in 2021-2022 to 62% in 2024-2025—a clear sign that more students are showing up to learn.

However, the data reveals a school with two very different stories inside its walls. Third graders at Mason Academy are performing at near-state-average levels in both English Language Arts (35.7% proficiency) and Math (36.6%), far exceeding the district averages of 14.1% and 20.1%. Yet 4th, 6th, and 7th graders continue to score well below district and state averages. This suggests recent improvements are concentrated in the early grades, and the school faces a challenge in keeping that momentum going as students advance. It's also worth noting that Mason spends a substantial $21,853 per student—significantly more than higher-performing nearby charter schools like Great Oaks Academy ($13,407) and Legacy Charter Academy ($14,376)—which suggests the issue isn't a lack of funding but rather how resources are being used. For parents, the key takeaway is that Mason Academy appears to be on an upward trajectory, with promising signs in the lower grades, but the school still has significant work ahead to ensure all students benefit from these improvements.