Adlai Stevenson Elementary School

Adlai Stevenson Elementary School in Southfield, MI, serves 527 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade as part of the Southfield Public School District, where about 65% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Stevenson has faced persistent academic challenges, ranking in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools in recent years. Math proficiency is a particular concern—in the most recent testing year, only about 15-18% of students in grades 3-5 met state standards, roughly half the district average and less than half the state average. English Language Arts scores are also below state averages, though there have been bright spots, such as a year when 5th-grade reading proficiency reached 43%. The school shows notable strength in serving its African American students, who perform well above their peers statewide. Perhaps the most significant issue is chronic absenteeism: nearly half of Stevenson's students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent, a rate almost double the state average and a likely barrier to learning.

What makes Stevenson's situation particularly interesting is the contrast with nearby schools. Just 1.5 miles away, University Elementary School Academy—in the same district—ranks in the 90th percentile statewide with dramatically higher test scores and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 16%. Meanwhile, schools in the neighboring Birmingham Public Schools, like Beverly Elementary School and Bingham Farms Elementary School, achieve proficiency rates 2-3 times higher. Notably, Stevenson spends more per student ($19,322) than many higher-performing schools, including Dr Joseph F Pollack Academic Center of Excellence ($13,021). This suggests that addressing attendance and student engagement—not just funding—may be the most critical lever for improving outcomes at Stevenson.