Fisher Magnet Academy

Fisher Magnet Academy is a public PK-8 school in Detroit, MI, serving 758 students within the Detroit Public Schools Community District, where nearly all families (96%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

The most pressing issue at Fisher is attendance: 73.3% of students are chronically absent—more than double the state average and well above the district's 60.9%. This directly tracks with academic struggles. State test scores place the school in the bottom 3rd percentile of Michigan schools, with proficiency rates in the single digits for most subjects and grades (e.g., 7.1% in 3rd-grade ELA, 3.19% in 4th-grade math). Despite spending a substantial $22,419 per student—higher than most nearby schools—outcomes remain critically low. There is one bright spot: 8th graders show relative strength, with science proficiency (17.3%) actually beating the district average and PSAT ELA scores (23.1%) approaching district levels, suggesting that students who stay through middle school may benefit from more effective instruction or targeted support.

Comparisons to nearby schools are revealing. Just half a mile away, Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy serves a similar student population but achieves dramatically better results—32.1% proficiency in 3rd-grade ELA versus Fisher's 7.1%, and 40.6% in 8th-grade PSAT ELA versus Fisher's 20%. Likewise, Pulaski ElementaryMiddle School has a far lower chronic absenteeism rate (29.2%) and posts higher proficiency across nearly every grade and subject. These comparisons show that the challenges at Fisher are not insurmountable—schools with similar demographics in the same area are achieving far better outcomes. For parents considering Fisher, the data suggests that improving attendance would be the single most impactful step toward raising achievement, and that exploring nearby options like Regent Park or Pulaski may be worthwhile.