The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Webb Elementary School
Webb Elementary School sits in Ferndale, Michigan, but belongs to the Hazel Park School District of the City of, not Ferndale Public Schools. A portion of Ferndale is zoned to Hazel Park, and Webb is one of the schools serving that area. The school lists a broad grade span in its directory information, but actual enrollment runs from kindergarten through fifth grade, which is consistent with its identity as an elementary school.
Ferndale itself is an inner-ring suburb of Detroit along the Woodward Corridor, roughly ten miles northwest of downtown Detroit. It began as a bedroom community for Detroit workers and has grown into a city known for its revitalized downtown along Nine Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, its role as the hub of the LGBTQ+ community in Metro Detroit, and its progressive political culture. The downtown was made more pedestrian-friendly in recent years by narrowing West Nine Mile Road and adding on-street parking, bicycle lanes, and other accessibility improvements. Affirmations, a large LGBT community center, anchors the downtown. The city has city parks, active churches, civic groups, and an award-winning library. Publicly reported sources note that Ferndale's median household income ranks among the higher levels in Michigan, and the city's population has seen a slight decline since the 2020 census. The housing market in Webb's zip code is more affordable than both the Oakland County median listing price and the state benchmark for home values, with rents that sit below the cost of a typical mortgage payment at current rates. Homes in this zip code also trade below the state's typical home value, which may appeal to families looking for a more accessible entry point into Oakland County.
Webb's enrollment is modest for an elementary school, and its student body reflects a mix of backgrounds. The largest group is white students, followed by a substantial black population, with smaller groups of Hispanic students and students of two or more races. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which points to the economic challenges many families in the attendance area face. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available, so those populations could not be characterized.
On state assessments through Michigan's M-STEP, Webb's results were low across all tested subjects and grades. English language arts proficiency was the relative bright spot, with roughly a quarter of fifth graders meeting proficiency standards, and third and fourth graders not far behind. Math was the weakest area, with only a small fraction of third and fifth graders reaching proficiency and fourth graders only modestly higher. Fifth grade science and social studies results were also low. When measured against other districts in Oakland County, Webb's overall proficiency sits in the bottom quartile, well below the county median. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, asking what interventions and support structures are in place for math instruction in particular, and how the school plans to build on its relatively stronger ELA outcomes.
No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say whether these results represent a decline, stability, or early signs of improvement. Participation rates were also missing from the data. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate applies. Chronic absenteeism data was not reported. Information on staffing, discipline, course access, and Title I status was absent as well. No program offerings data was provided, so families would need to ask the school directly about enrichment, intervention, or specialized programming. The Hazel Park district brief turned up little of lasting impact from recent changes, so there were no district-level developments to factor in.
For a family considering Webb, the draw is a diverse, small elementary school in a walkable, culturally distinctive suburb with relatively affordable housing for Oakland County. The academic results, particularly in math, are a real concern, and the school's position in the bottom quartile of county proficiency means families should ask pointed questions about academic support before enrolling. The community context is strong, but the academic data warrants close attention.
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