Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy

Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy is an elementary and middle school in Detroit, MI, serving 457 students in grades PK through 8 within the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Neinas stands out among nearby schools for its steady academic improvement and its strong results in mathematics. While the school’s overall state ranking is still low (25th percentile), it has climbed dramatically from the 5th percentile just a few years ago. In math, Neinas consistently scores about double the district average—for example, 32.4% proficiency in 4th grade versus 15.3% districtwide, and similar gaps in 5th and 6th grades. The school’s middle school grades are particularly notable: 7th graders hit 30% proficiency in English Language Arts and 32% in math, far outpacing Earhart ElementaryMiddle School, the only other nearby school serving that grade span, where just 11.8% and 5.6% of 7th graders were proficient. Neinas also shows a pattern of students improving as they move up—ELA proficiency climbs from 21.2% in 3rd grade to 30% in 7th grade—the opposite of the decline seen at Earhart.

The dual-language model appears to be a real advantage, especially in upper grades. By 5th grade, Neinas’s math proficiency (27.5%) is nearly double that of Maybury Elementary School (14%) and Roberto Clemente Learning Academy (17%). The school also earns a 2-star rating for its work with low-income students, ranking in the 34th percentile statewide—up from the low 20s in prior years. One persistent challenge is chronic absenteeism: 46.5% of students miss too many days, which is better than the district’s 60.9% but still far above the state average. Nearby charter Escuela Avancemos has a much lower rate (18.3%), showing what’s possible. Still, Neinas spends over $21,000 per student and achieves better results than some schools spending more, suggesting its resources are used effectively.