Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology
General Information
About Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology is a public upper‑secondary institution located in Southfield, Michigan, offering education for grades 9 through 12. Positioned as a magnet school with an emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), it provides students with a blended experience of rigorous academic coursework and immersive creative‑technical programs. The mission of the school is to prepare all students for higher learning and career pathways, empowering them to become informed, engaged citizens in a global community. The vision further expands this by emphasizing inclusive, data‑driven instruction within a professional learning community framework.
Over the years the school has developed pathway programs in digital media, engineering, performing and visual arts, health sciences, and computer science, reflecting its hybrid focus on both arts and technology. While the school faces challenges in student achievement statistics, it offers a wide variety of experiences for students to explore their passions, develop leadership skills, and engage in hands‑on, industry‑relevant learning opportunities. The supportive learning environment is enriched by dedicated educators, specialized programming, and extracurricular activities aimed at cultivating well‑rounded, forward‑thinking graduates ready to thrive in a changing world.
Contact Information for Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology
Address: 24675 Lahser Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, United States
Phone Number: (248) 746‑8606
Email Address: Available via school directory (please contact the main office for direct staff email addresses)
School Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 (originally as Southfield High School) |
| Motto / Mission | “We prepare all students for higher learning and the pursuit of a career … empowering them to become knowledgeable, engaged citizens” |
| Type of School | Public Magnet High School (Grades 9‑12) |
| School District | Southfield Public School District |
| Student‑Teacher Ratio | Approximately 19 : 1 |
| School Colours / Nickname | Colors: Red, White & Blue; Nickname: Warriors |
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Rankings
| Category | Rank / Value |
|---|---|
| Niche Graduation Rate | ~88 % |
| Niche Average SAT Score | ~1000 |
| State Test Proficiency (Math) | ~3 % (well below state average) |
| State Test Proficiency (Reading) | ~24 % |
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Academics
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Faculties / Departments
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department
- Science Department
- Mathematics Department
- English (Language Arts) Department
- Fine & Performing Arts Department
- Social Studies Department
- World Languages Department
- Counseling Department
- Support Services / Special Education Department
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Courses and Programs / Majors
Since this is a high school, courses and programs extend to various pathways and specializations rather than “majors” in the university sense. Key offerings include:
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses and International Baccalaureate (IB) offerings in core subjects
- STEAM‐focused programs combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math
- Pathway tracks in Digital Media, Engineering, Visual & Performing Arts, Health Sciences, Computer Science
- Fine and Performing Arts programs: music, theater, visual arts, dance
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, offering certifications and hands‑on industry relevant skills
Online Learning
The school supports remote synchronous and asynchronous learning days, with times for seminar, 1st through 6th hours, and uses digital platforms (e.g., Schoology) for remote attendance. Students can access online resources through the school’s learning management system and participate virtually when needed.
Average Test Scores
| Test | Average Score |
|---|---|
| SAT | ~1000 |
| ACT | ~21 |
| AP Exams | Data not publicly specified for aggregate average |
Retention and Graduation Rates
The school reports an on‑time graduation rate around 88 % as indicated by Niche data. The district profile indicates a rate of about 93 % for the 2023‑24 cohort. While retention (year‑to‑year continuing) data is less publicly available, the graduation rate suggests strong completion for many students despite academic performance challenges.
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Because Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology is a public magnet high school rather than a university, formal GPA or standardized test score thresholds for general admission are not documented as they would be for colleges. Students are generally admitted based on district residence or magnet program criteria, and continue their studies without a university‑style application system.
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Acceptance Rate
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 2025 (estimated) | Open to district residents / magnet selection – data not publicly quantified |
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Application Requirements
Prospective students interested in the magnet tracks at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology typically must reside within the district or apply through the district’s school choice/magnet application process, depending on available spots. Family enrollment forms, proof of residency, prior school records, and possibly auditions or assessments for arts or technology pathways may apply. The process is intended to ensure that students are placed in programs aligned with their interests (e.g., arts, engineering) and that they meet any defined criteria for specialized pathways while ensuring equity and access across the district.
Application Process
- Submit magnet program or school choice application (if applicable)
- Provide proof of district residency and prior transcripts or school records
- Attend required orientation or informational session for selected track
- Complete registration which includes counseling meeting for course selections
- Some programs may require portfolio submission, audition, or assessment in arts/technology track
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| Magnet Program Application Deadline | Varies each year (please consult district annually) |
| Registration for Incoming 9th Grade | Summer prior to academic year (time announced by school) |
| Open House / Information Night | Often during late winter/early spring |
Essay Prompt
Not applicable, as this is a high school admissions scenario rather than a college‑level essay requirement.
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Scholarships
The school offers a range of scholarships for graduating seniors, including awards based on academic achievement, arts or technology excellence, community service, and career technical certifications. Students completing pathway programs in arts or technology may also qualify for industry certifications that enhance post‑secondary scholarship and employment prospects.
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Tuition and Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Free (public school for residents) |
| Extracurricular Activity Fees | Varies by sport or club – nominal costs apply |
| Technology / Resource Fees | Varies by course or program |
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
The student body at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology is approximately half male (51 %) and half female (49 %). In terms of race/ethnicity, around 93 % of students identify as African American, about 3 % as Hispanic, ~2 % as White, and ~1 % as two or more races. Students are within the typical high school age range (approximately 14 to 18 years old) as they attend grades 9 through 12.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Approximately 65.7 % of the student population is eligible for free or reduced‑price lunch, indicating a significant portion of students from low‑income households. The school also offers support services and special education programs through its Support Services / Special Education department, ensuring accommodations and resources for students with disabilities.
Student Body
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Students | ~1,190 (2023‑24) |
| Male Students | ~606 |
| Female Students | ~584 |
| Students Identifying as Black / African‑American | ~1,113 |
| Students Eligible for Free Lunch | ~750 |
University Diversity
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology serves a student population that is overwhelmingly African American, with over 90 % representation, supplemented by smaller percentages of Hispanic, White, Asian and multiracial students. This demographic profile reflects the local community’s composition and offers a culturally rich environment for students to engage in peer learning and awareness of social diversity. The high proportion of students from low‑income backgrounds further positions the school as a potentially high‑impact setting for interventions, equity‑driven educational programming, and community engagement efforts.
The diversity includes not only ethnicity but socioeconomic status, arts and technology interests, and pathways of academic and career focus. Students in arts, digital media and engineering tracks experience cross‑sectional peer groups that bring together creative and technical mindsets, enhancing diversity of thought and collaboration. The school’s inclusive mission underscores the importance of building caring relationships, promoting reflective instruction, and fostering a supportive and inclusive student community.
Average Earnings
As a high school institution, specific average post‑graduation earnings for alumni are not published in the same way as for colleges. However, the school’s focus on career and technical education, pathway certification programs, and STEAM‑oriented instruction suggests that graduates are positioned to enter either higher education or workforce roles with foundational technology, arts and engineering skills. The career readiness emphasis means students may pursue certifications that can support entry‑level positions in digital media, health sciences, or technical fields, potentially leading to earnings competitive with regional employment sectors for young adults.
The contextual environment—high representation of low‑income students and concentrated minority demographics—also means that the school plays a pivotal role in improving lifetime earnings and socioeconomic mobility by equipping students with valuable credentials, technical proficiency, and creative capacities that are in demand in the labor market.
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology is staffed by approximately 61.7 full‑time equivalent classroom teachers, resulting in a student‑teacher ratio of about 19.27 : 1. The faculty includes department chairs, instructional leadership personnel, counselors, support services educators, and administrative staff who collaborate to deliver academic, arts and technology programming.
Faculty Profiles
The instructional leadership team at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology includes department chairs across key disciplines: CTE, Science, Math, English, Fine & Performing Arts, Social Studies, World Languages, Counseling and Support Services. Faculty members in the Fine & Performing Arts department and the digital media/engineering pathways bring specialized expertise in industry‑relevant skills and creative production. The school’s status as a magnet STEAM institution positions teachers to integrate arts, technology, and academic instruction in collaborative, project‑based formats. Although specific award‑winning faculty names are not broadly published in the sources accessed, the school’s commitment to certification‑offering CTE programs, IB offerings, and specialized arts tracks implies a depth of professional preparation and achievement among staff.
Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
As a public day high school, Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology does not provide on‑campus housing. Students commute from within the district and neighborhood surrounding Southfield, Michigan. The campus offers modern classroom facilities, laboratories for science and engineering, technology/engineering studios, fine and performing arts spaces (such as theaters, art studios and music rehearsal rooms), athletic fields and gymnasiums. Student life is vibrant with a full complement of athletics, arts performances, club and organization activities, and pathway‑based learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom into real‑world applications. These student life opportunities promote personal development, leadership, creativity, and teamwork across academic, technical and artistic domains.
Transportation
Transportation to Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology is primarily via district‑provided school buses within designated routes covering the city of Southfield. Students who reside nearby may walk or cycle to the campus, depending on proximity and safety. The campus is located at the corner of 10 Mile and Lahser Road, facilitating access by private vehicles and public transit where available. On remote or synchronous virtual learning days, the school supports students accessing classes digitally, which provides additional flexibility in mobility and attendance.