Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 48205

There are six elementary schools serving grades PK/K through 8th grade in Detroit’s 48205 zip code, a predominantly low-income area where all schools report free/reduced lunch rates between 95% and 100%, and where four schools belong to the Detroit Public Schools Community District while two are charter schools.

For parents, the standout option in this zip code is Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy, which ranks in the 23rd percentile statewide—the highest in the area—and is the only school earning even one star. It outperforms all four DPSCD schools despite spending roughly $14,100 per student, about 35-39% less than the district average. Pulaski ElementaryMiddle School is the attendance champion, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 29.2%, nearly matching the state average and far better than the 73-84% rates seen at other DPSCD schools in the zip code; Pulaski also ranks second-highest academically. At the other end, Brewer Academy is the most concerning, ranking 1460th out of 1492 schools with an 84.1% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning fewer than 16% of students attend regularly. Fisher Magnet Academy and Brenda Scott Academy for Theatre Arts both sit in the bottom 5% statewide, while Trix Academy—serving 100% low-income students—achieves mid-pack results with the lowest spending at $13,775 per student.

The most striking finding is the disconnect between spending and outcomes: Pulaski spends the most ($23,009 per student) yet ranks only in the 7th percentile, while Regent Park spends far less and achieves triple the ranking. Attendance appears to be the strongest predictor of success, as schools with lower chronic absenteeism consistently outperform those with higher rates. Regent Park also shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 14th to 23rd percentile year-over-year, while Brewer’s trajectory remains critically low. Across most schools, proficiency declines as students advance through grades, though Regent Park and Pulaski buck this trend by maintaining stronger performance in upper grades. For parents, the data suggests that Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy offers the best academic outcomes, while Pulaski ElementaryMiddle School demonstrates that strong attendance is achievable even within the same district framework.