Detroit Merit Charter Academy

detroitmerit.heritageacademies.com/

Charter School 719 Students

Elementary School K - 8th

School Overview

Detroit Merit Charter Academy, located on Alter Road in Detroit, is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Operated by National Heritage Academies, the school is built on a foundation of "Moral Focus," which integrates character-building lessons—such as integrity, respect, and perseverance—directly into the daily academic curriculum. The academy aims to provide a structured, college-preparatory environment that prioritizes academic excellence while fostering a supportive community for families in the local area.

The school emphasizes a rigorous academic program that balances core subjects like math, science, and literacy with a focus on preparing students for future success in high school and beyond. By maintaining a clear set of behavioral expectations and promoting active parental involvement, Detroit Merit Charter Academy strives to create a safe and focused learning space. Its mission is centered on the belief that every child can succeed through a combination of high academic standards, strong values, and a dedicated partnership between teachers, students, and the community.

719

Total Students

38.9

Full-Time Teachers

18.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

82.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Detroit Merit Charter Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	2
Hispanic	13
Black	647
Two or More	54
American Indian	2
Pacific Islander	1

Black
647 (90.0%)
Two or More
54 (7.5%)
Hispanic
13 (1.8%)
White
2 (0.3%)
American Indian
2 (0.3%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Detroit Merit Charter Academy
Phone:	(313)331-3328
Website:	http://detroitmerit.heritageacademies.com/
Grade Range:	K - 8th
Total Students:	719
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	38.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	18.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	563
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	29

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 86

Grade 1 90

Grade 2 78

Grade 3 86

Grade 4 83

Grade 5 88

Grade 6 79

Grade 7 68

Grade 8 61