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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Detroit Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 175 public schools serving 78,188 students in Detroit, MI (there are 35 private schools, serving 4,257 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Detroit, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Detroit, MI are Pembroke Academy, Keidan Special Education Center and Jerry L White Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Detroit, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 18% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Detroit have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Detroit, MI (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pembroke Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
19940 Mansfield St
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 243-0092
Gr: K-8 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #22.
Keidan Special Education Center
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4441 Collingwood St
Detroit, MI 48204
(313) 873-9400
Gr: PK-8 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #33.
Jerry L White Center
Special Education School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14804 W Mcnichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 416-4200
Gr: 9-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #44.
Bates Academy
(Math: 50% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
19701 Wyoming St
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 494-7000
Gr: PK-8 | 773 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #55.
Chrysler Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1445 E Lafayette St
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 494-8440
Gr: PK-5 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
Diann Bankswilliamson Educational Center
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5020 Cadieux Rd
Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 347-7280
Gr: Inquire with school | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
Covenant High School East
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
9100 Gratiot Ave
Detroit, MI 48213
(313) 267-4315
Gr: 9-12 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Capstonewayne Co Juvenile Detention Fac
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3501 Hamtramck Dr
Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 831-3510
Gr: 4-12 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Detroit Lions Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2001 W Warren Ave
Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 852-9677
Gr: 6-12 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Turning Point Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18501 Waltham St
Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 347-8900
Gr: K-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1111.
Moses Field Center
Special Education School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1100 Sheridan St
Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 866-5790
Gr: PK-8 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1212.
Renaissance High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6565 W Outer Dr
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 416-4600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,197 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #1313.
Covenant High School Southwest
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1450 25th St
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 297-8720
Gr: 9-12 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Covenant High School Central
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2959 Martin Luther King Jr Blv
Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 899-6900
Gr: 9-12 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Pathways Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
11340 E Jefferson Ave
Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 209-3803
Gr: 7-12 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Cass Technical High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2501 2nd Ave
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 263-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,493 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Detroit Prep
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8411 Sylvester St
Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 343-1495
Gr: K-8 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1818.
Oakland International Academy Prek1
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4001 Miller St
Detroit, MI 48211
(313) 923-0790
Gr: PK-1 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 49:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Frederick Douglass Academy For Young Men
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
9026 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 596-3555
Gr: 9-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Way Academy Chicago Site
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
19321 W Chicago St
Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 444-9398
Gr: 6-12 | 76 students
Rank: #2121.
The James And Grace Lee Boggs School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7600 Goethe St
Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 923-2301
Gr: K-8 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2222.
Edmonson Montessori
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 W Canfield St
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 873-7441
Gr: PK-8 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2323.
Clippert Academy
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1981 Mckinstry St
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 849-5009
Gr: 6-8 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2424.
Foreign Language Immersion And Cultural Studies
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6501 W Outer Dr
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 651-2400
Gr: PK-8 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #2525.
Detroit Enterprise Academy
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11224 Kercheval St
Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 823-5799
Gr: K-8 | 686 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #2626.
Oakland International Academy 28
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8228 Conant St
Detroit, MI 48211
(313) 925-1000
Gr: 2-8 | 1,034 students Student-teacher ratio: 80:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2727.
The School At Marygrove
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8425 W Mcnichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 335-1331
Gr: K-12 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2828.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy
Charter School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1903 Wilkins St
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 833-1100
Gr: PK-8 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #2929.
University Preparatory Science And Math Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2251 Antietam Ave
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 782-4400
Gr: K-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #3030.
Detroit Merit Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1091 Alter Rd
Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 331-3328
Gr: K-8 | 719 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #3131.
University Preparatory Science And Math Psad Middle School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5100 John R St
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 832-8400
Gr: 6-8 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
Bagley Elementary School Of Journalism And Technology
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8100 Curtis St
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 494-7175
Gr: PK-6 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #3333.
Charles Wright Academy Of Arts And Science
(Math: 19% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
19299 Berg Rd
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 538-3024
Gr: PK-8 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #3434.
Warrendale Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
19400 Sawyer St
Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 240-4200
Gr: K-8 | 680 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3535.
Way Academy Vernor Site
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8701 W Vernor Hwy
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 444-8082
Gr: 6-12 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 68:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Show 100 more public schools in Detroit, MI (out of 175 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Detroit, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Detroit, MI include Pembroke Academy, Keidan Special Education Center and Jerry L White Center.
How many public schools are located in Detroit?
176 public schools are located in Detroit.
What percentage of students in Detroit go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Detroit are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Detroit?
Detroit public schools minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Detroit are often viewed compared to one another?

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