Arthur Eddy Academy

Arthur Eddy Academy is an elementary school in Saginaw, MI, serving 232 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Saginaw School District of the City of. The school serves one of the most economically disadvantaged populations in the region, with 96.55% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Arthur Eddy Academy spends more per student than any nearby school—$21,644 annually—yet its academic performance remains in the bottom 8th percentile statewide. This is a striking contrast: the school outspends Kempton Elementary School ($18,742) and Stone School ($18,685), yet both of those schools rank higher academically. The most significant challenge appears to be attendance. Arthur Eddy's chronic absenteeism rate is 64.7%—more than double the state average of 27.9% and far higher than Zilwaukee School's 46.4%. Zilwaukee, located just 2.6 miles away, serves a similar population and spends nearly the same amount per student ($21,965), yet achieves notably better results, ranking in the 16th percentile statewide. This comparison suggests that improving attendance could be the single most impactful change for Arthur Eddy.

There are encouraging signs, however. The school has improved its statewide ranking for three consecutive years, moving from the 2nd percentile (2023-2024) to the 8th percentile (2025-2026). Reading proficiency has shown particular growth: 5th grade ELA scores more than doubled from 11.9% to 24.4% over the same period. The school has also demonstrated growing effectiveness with its African American students, whose subgroup ranking improved from the 9th to the 29th percentile. While overall proficiency remains low, the upward trajectory in recent test scores—combined with the school's substantial per-student investment—provides a foundation for continued progress if the attendance crisis can be addressed.