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GreatSchools Rating

Southwestern Academy

Public | 7-12 | 626 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted March 22, 2011

This is the best school for your child to go to it is very good and very nice. Everyone there is nice, neat and respectful. GO TO S-DUB BABY


Posted October 12, 2010

Southwestern is a safe, healthy environment where the kids are encouraged to excel to their fullest potential. The staff is dedicated to the kids well-being, and are exceptional educators.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted July 12, 2010

This school prepared me for college and also gave me life skills. Today i am pursuing my Masters and attribute it to the teachers and curriculum at Southwestern Academy.


Posted June 16, 2008

FSWA is one of the best schools in the district. The teachers let you assume responsibility. No one will ell you to go to class because you have to want an education for yourself. Administration (Mrs. Edwards) was great and she openly communicated with students and parents. Just like in any other school there will be some staff that is more dedicated than others. But there are great teachers. In FSWA any student can be identified by something that they do. Extra-cirricular activities are hughly encouraged and supported at this school. These activities are much more than sports, we have the sience olympiad team, the FIRST robotis team, Business Professionals of America, Bridges to the Future after school activities, and leadership program such as the Unified Sisters or the alpha Esquires. Most of all FSWA inspires change, most students will come one way and leave another. Go Kinghts!!!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 27, 2006

Southwestern Academy is a great school in the Flint Distict, but the Superintendent is not all that good. Taking 9th graders out of SWA is very uspeting because I was counting on going to Southwestern Academy next year but as the way the district is going is not great. The varsity boys basketball team made it to the Final four and the fottball team won the city title and more games than they have in a long time. The pep rallies are crazy fun and very loud. This school has a lot of famous people that have came out of SWA.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 16, 2006

That school was horrible. Enough said.Security and discipline was lax, my kid skipped on campus 64 times in one semester, and sat in the cafeteria all semester instead of going to his 1st hour. Also the one time he did get caught, his punishment was a one-day suspension. I'm glad i took him out of there. And they had one metal detector and security at one door, how is that safe?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2006

I am a senior at the University of Michigan. I attended FSWA from 7th grade thru 12th grade. I had a wonderful experience with the school. I had both good and bad teachers, but the good out numbered the bad. I was involved in many extracurricular activities including the music program. I have found that being at FSWA prepared me for the university life. FSWA teachers expect high preference on students work, just like college professors.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted October 20, 2005

I am an Alumnist of FSWA and after my freshman year of College I understood why FSWA was so hard on us. The School prepared me for the tough years of undergrad and gave me a leg up over other inner city school students.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted April 20, 2005

One of the best schools in Flint describes FSA. The teachers expect high performance from the students and your child must have a certain GPA to remain in the school. The child must have an application submitted and be accepted. This means that all students had to have their parents enroll them meaning that these students have parents who are concerned and involved. Concerned parents always make a school better.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 27, 2004

FSA is a terrible school! My daughter attended an entire year last year, 7th grade. The entire year was a disaster! Terrible teachers with a too high grading system. Students ridiculed and put gum in my daughters hair! I'm glad too be done with that school forever!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 38% in 2013.

211 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
17%

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
82%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 62% in 2013.

215 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
31%

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
81%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 52% in 2013.

212 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
24%

2011

 
 
32%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 33% in 2013.

245 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
8%

2012

 
 
9%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
74%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 66% in 2013.

245 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
36%

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
91%
Science

The state average for Science was 16% in 2013.

245 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
2%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
70%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 29% in 2013.

247 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
6%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
70%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 29% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
9%

2011

 
 
38%

2010

 
 
22%

2009

 
 
22%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 56% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
57%

2009

 
 
42%
Science

The state average for Science was 26% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
11%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
34%

2009

 
 
32%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 41% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
13%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
65%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 49% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
27%

2009

 
 
21%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Michigan used the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) to assess students in grade 11 in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The MME is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MME test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Reading

2012

 
 
n/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Michigan used the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) to assess students in grade 11 in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The MME is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MME test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 76% 20%
White 21% 71%
Hispanic 2% 5%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 52%N/A42%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A18
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1420 West 12th St
Flint, MI 48507
Phone: (810) 760-1400

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