The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Social studies. The lowest is 22% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Fortis Academy
Fortis Academy is a single-school charter district in Washtenaw County, Michigan, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It operates as one building under a district structure, which is common for charter entities in the state. The enrollment is moderate for a K-8 standalone, with roughly equal class sizes across the grade levels.
The student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with smaller shares of white students and students identifying as two or more races. A handful of Asian and American Indian or Alaska Native students round out the population. Economic disadvantage data through free or reduced-price lunch was not reported, so we cannot characterize the income profile from what is available. English-learner and special-education counts were also missing, which limits the picture of how the school serves its most vulnerable students. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
On state assessments, Fortis Academy's results tell a mixed story. In math, proficiency across grades three through eight sits in a narrow band, with roughly one in five to one in four students meeting the state benchmark. The numbers are fairly consistent from third grade through eighth, suggesting the school is not losing ground as students move up, but it is also not climbing above that range. In English language arts, the pattern is similar in the elementary and early middle grades, with proficiency generally hovering around a low quarter. The standout is eighth grade, where ELA proficiency jumps to a clear majority of test-takers, and social studies proficiency for the same grade is comparably strong. Science results for fifth and eighth grades land in the lower-to-mid quarter range. Against the comparison set of Washtenaw County's districts, the school's overall proficiency sits below the midpoint, meaning neighboring districts on average post higher combined results. A parent considering this school may want to look into how the upper grades are producing stronger ELA and social studies outcomes and whether those gains carry into high school.
Chronic absenteeism is elevated relative to the county's districts, sitting above the midpoint. This is a real factor: when a substantial share of students miss significant instructional time, it affects both peer dynamics and academic momentum. The per-pupil spending level falls in the lower range among county districts, which may reflect the charter funding structure and could relate to the breadth of resources available, though spending alone does not determine quality.
Because Fortis Academy does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and that absence reflects the grade band rather than a gap in performance. No trend data across prior years was available, so we cannot say whether these proficiency levels are improving, holding, or declining over time. Participation rates for the state assessments were not reported either.
The district brief returned no specific recent changes with lasting parent-relevant impact. Publicly reported material covered general profile and enrollment information but did not surface strategic priorities, leadership transitions, program additions, or facility changes. We looked for a locale brief describing the surrounding community and housing context, but none was available, so we cannot speak to the housing market, commute patterns, or neighborhood character.
Fortis Academy is a small, diverse, standalone K-8 charter where the upper grades show some academic bright spots in literacy and social studies, while math and science remain areas where most students are not yet meeting state benchmarks. Families drawn to a smaller, single-building environment with this demographic profile may find it worth asking the school directly about intervention strategies, attendance supports, and how students transition to high school.
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