Bates Academy

19701 Wyoming Avenue

School District

Detroit Public Schools Community District
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Detroit Public Schools Community District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 28, 2023

Bates Academy has very poor response to children and parent complaints of bullying. The administrative staff is slow to respond, if they even choose to take action at all. The supervision is awful with 30 students to one instructor and 90 students to one recess assistant, which leads to children being bullied as the adults look on. Their bias toward male students is downright abhorrent. They expect male students to ignore and accept verbal abuse from other students because, "he's a boy and he shouldn't be bothered by what a girl says." Its a toxic environment where the teachers are no longer able to challenge the students and the administrative staff couldnt care any less. When the administrative staff os asked to address grade wide issues, they downright refuse to, allowing children to continue to suffer being bullied for same exact reasons by various students. I DO NOT RECOMMEND SENDING YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2018

My child 1st & last year at this school. Yes, the homework is a little challenging but the teachers could careless on encouraging the youth. My child was misplaced on a field trip. My child homeroom teacher post photos of herself on the DOJO app that is supposed to be used for communication with the parents concerning their children. The child only has 1 extra curricular activity once a week which is art. They have a playground which the children are not allowed to play on. My child 1st day of school she informed me she played with sticks on their empty field as they had no outside equipment. Whenever the children raise their hand to ask a question the teachers tell them they are not taking questions. They give a ton of homework with barely anytime to complete it or enough time to comprehend what they are doing. The classrooms are so cold I have to dress my child in multiple layers for class. Removing my child as soon as I can find another school.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2016

Bates academyOne teacher threatened her with a yardstick & told her she was going to get her suspended the secretary is always unprofessional rude do not have customer service skills and I'm just tired my baby was bullied last year and this year not to mention they put them in the same classroom when I mentioned it to the principal the principal said she was being proactive however it wasn't until after I said something that they removed the little girl from classroom. As a working yet active parent I want my kid to fell safe and secure. The fact that anyone can walk in the school without a guard asking who they are is another major concern.
Submitted by other on November 11, 2015

Bates is a great school for education I feel my kids will definitely benefit,if we moved out of the city I would still want my kids to attend it could be better in a lot of ways some teachers are excellent some are just blatantly rude, staff could be A LOT BETTER,but as long as my kids are treated fairly I have no problem with that every school has its flaws.Overall its a great school but a lot of staff need to be replaced so people visiting will be thrilled about the school and not thinking its your typical Detroit school, 4 stars
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2015

My two children have attended Bates and we love it. The teachers are top notch....the curriculum prepares kids to be the best that they can be. I had my one child in a different nearby school this past year and I can assure you that he is nowhere near where my other child was academically at the same level (kindergarten) at Bates. We also love the other experiences at Bates- parent involvement, field trips and much more that add to the student overall experiences. My other child (at the other school) went on two local field trips (the whole academic year....). We LOVE Bates.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2015

My son's teacher was the worst that he ever had. She's one of the 1st grade teachers. She gives them the work and will not help them if they need it.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2014

The curriculum is wonderful which is what we attend school for. My expectations for my kindergartener have been surpassed tremendously, and as long as I continue to see the growth in my child he will remain a student at Bates Academy through 8 th grade.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Teachers and staff are top notch and then parental involvement is the best in the city. The teacher commitment to the youths should be reconized state wide.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2013

Bates is a excellent preparatory school. The accelerated curriculum is challenging and rigorous but we have found that if students and parents are 100% committed, it is doable and your child can successful. We make it our business to be an integral part in the learning process; letting the ,teachers know that we are there to support them.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2013

2013-14 School Year for Bates is off to a much better start. Jury is still out, though.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2013

Bates is an awesome school. It has an accelaerated program and the kids excel within their program and beyond in life. It is one of the gems in the educational arena in Detroit.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2013

Bates Academy is an excellent school that has gotten better recently. We are recognized as a Reward School by the state, and have been listed as one of the top 20 schools in the city. Our teachers and administrators really care about the students. We have a very active parent group that works well with the administration. We have had our library made over by Target, a new gymnasium floor, upgraded technology (interactive boards in every classroom), and a new computer lab all this year. Our principal, Mr. Kirkland, has led all of these efforts over the past two years. I believe that great things are ahead for us. I am proud to be a student of three Bates students!
Submitted by other on January 27, 2013

I am a student here and I do not like it very much. The schedule is messed up, they switch all of the rules around, and its confusing!!!
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2012

My daughter has been attending bates since kindergarten. Now she is in the eighth grade I love the school.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2012

I LOVE Bates Academy. I switched my two students from Detroit Merit Academy (eastside charter school) to Bates Academy (DPS) this past Fall 2011 and I am so very pleased with the difference. My first grader is learning rapidly, because the bar is very high. Her reading level jumped significantly. My 6th grader is no longer the top of his class, which is a great thing, because he's being challenged significantly. He has some classes with 7th and 8th graders who raise the bar by questioning his responses in class. The expectation is very high. The principal Mr. Kirkland is very busy, but extremely attentive and personable. Excellent extracurricular program, excellent music program, Bates raises a very high bar compared to the Charter school my children attended. And the teaching staff better reflects the student population. There is a good mix of races within the teaching an admin staff, which I cannot say for the other school which had a predominately caucasian staff with about 3 teachers of African American descent. I am very pleased with Bates and I have done a lot of research. Still the BEST.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2012

im a former bates parent. the bates staff dont care and i dont want to send my child to an enviornment where they dont care about the students. my child is in their care until i can come pick my child up from school. i took my (3) kids out of bates and had them attend burton international academy. i'm proud to say thay that was the best desision that i made for my kids. there happy and love it there. they are all on the honor role and i couldnt be more happier. thank you Burton Staff esp. Dr. Wilson
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2012

I am a current (and soon to be former) Bates parent. If Bates is supposed to be the best that DPS has to offer, then its best is not good enough for my children. The building is old and dilapidated and the administration is horrid and the office staff has not one ounce of professionalism. Any and all complaints fall on deaf ears--from the building level to the district level. I have sacrificed the education of my child for too long by sticking with Bates/DPS, but give the steady decrease/decline in test scores, I refuse to do it anymore! This school needs a complete overhaul--especially the administrative staff. There are some great teachers, but they need the support of their administration in order to truly enact change and impact the lives of their students.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2011

My son just finished his kindergarten year at Bates and is about to begin 1st grade there. He is doing good there. This year I want him to get involved in bible club and sports. I however am concerned that his Spanish class did not go too far beyond the Spanish he learns on Dora and Diego and that the children don't have gym or recess everyday and that they rarely painted in his art class. Also the school asks for so many school supplies and the supplies are specific. I'm on a budget! But, my biggest concern is the school has went through 3 principles in 3 years! I believe a principle can help to make or break a school and the fact that Bates can not seem to find the right person for the job concerns me. This year I want to be more involved at school so maybe I can help address some of the issues that concern me.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2011

My son has attended Bates since the Kind...had the Wonderful Mrs. Mihalski! She is tough and cares. She told me my child might not make it his first week, but I told her I will help my child....I did and he was one of her top students and in has been reading 3 grades above his level since he had her. Bates is not for parents who think the teacher should do it all. I helped my child all day with his work to help at home so he can achieve. Parents do us a favor and if you don't discipline and help your child...take them out due they interrupt the children who are being molded for excellence.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2011

The new principal need to be given time to prove himself, this is his first year as actual principal. He is very straightforward and accessible and it is clear that he trly cares about his work and the kids. I think it is too early judge him. Bates challenges their children and more often than not as long as the parent truly team with the school and are involved with their child - the kids rise to the challenge. My only complaint is that they need a better facility. This is the cream of the crop and I feel that they deserve to be treates as such. I feel that with the very low budget and tough condition that these detroit public schools have to work with, this is a great school!