Summary:
Zip code 48185 (Westland, MI) is home to three upper elementary/middle schools serving grades 2 through 8, offering families a mix of traditional public school options within Livonia Public Schools School District and a charter alternative at American Montessori Academy.
For parents, the clearest takeaway is the significant performance gap between the two Livonia schools and the charter option. Cooper Upper Elementary School and Johnson Upper Elementary School both earn 4-star ratings and rank in the 86th percentile statewide, with ELA and math proficiency rates consistently 10–15 points above Michigan averages. Cooper edges out Johnson in most subjects, particularly 6th grade math (47.4% vs. 45.0%) and 5th grade ELA (53.6% vs. 52.0%), though Johnson posts the strongest science scores in the area (44.4% proficiency). By contrast, American Montessori Academy Upper Elementary holds a 1-star rating (28th percentile) and struggles most dramatically in math—proficiency rates hover between 10–15% across grades 4–8, compared to state averages above 32%. Its 8th grade ELA PSAT performance (71.4%) actually exceeds the state average, but the math gap is systemic and severe.
Economic and operational factors add important context. American Montessori serves a student body with 60.9% free/reduced lunch eligibility—more than double Johnson’s 28.0% and nearly double Cooper’s 34.6%—and also has the highest chronic absenteeism (37.0% vs. 25.4% at Cooper and 29.3% at Johnson). Interestingly, Johnson spends the most per student ($18,474) yet achieves slightly lower results than Cooper ($15,567), suggesting spending alone doesn’t drive outcomes. All three schools face absenteeism rates above the state average (27.9%), a shared community challenge. For families prioritizing academics, the Livonia schools are the clear choice; for those considering Montessori, be aware of the math deficit despite pockets of reading strength.
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