Southeastern High School

Southeastern High School is a large public high school in Detroit's Fairview neighborhood, serving 602 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

The most striking thing about Southeastern is what we call the "graduation paradox." The school graduates about 86% of its students—a rate that actually beats both the district average (83%) and the state average (84%). Yet on state tests, Southeastern ranks in the bottom 5% of all Michigan high schools, with only about 6% of 11th graders proficient in science and similarly low scores in math. This suggests the school is very effective at keeping students on track to earn a diploma, but struggles to move the needle on academic mastery. For comparison, nearby Denby High School graduates fewer students (82%) but posts significantly higher test scores. The biggest challenge appears to be attendance: 74% of Southeastern students are chronically absent, meaning they miss 10% or more of the school year. That's nearly triple the state average and likely a major reason test scores lag.

On the positive side, Southeastern spends about $21,000 per student—more than nearby high-performing charters like Detroit Edison Public School Academy High School ($12,000) or University Prep Science and Math High School ($14,600)—yet those schools achieve far better outcomes. Smaller specialized options like Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly also outperform Southeastern on both attendance and test scores. English Language Arts shows a relative bright spot, with 9th and 10th graders scoring around 18-20% proficient on the PSAT—still low, but notably stronger than math or science. For families considering Southeastern, the school offers a supportive path to graduation, but you'll want to weigh that against the academic challenges and consider whether a more specialized school might better prepare your child for college or career.