Rutherford Winans Academy

I love the atmosphere for my daughter. The whole staff from Ms. White and Ms.Beard are so amazing ,passionate and encouraging.

WORST SCHOOL IN DETROIT. The security guard threatens parents with pistols. The principal cares more about his flashy appearance than parent’s concerns. My child gets released to random adults who are not on her release form. Yesterday they released my child out the school doors by herself and no signed her out. No safety or education here at all!!!

Don’t take your kids to this school and if they attend take them out now. My son has been bullied and sexually assaulted by a student last year. My chile lmk the same student is now in his class. Picking my son up from school the same little boy hit him in the head. I let Principal Terry know my concerns and the only option was moving my child instead of the aggressor. I will be taking legal action against the school.

Great work environment, I live in the neighborhood and work at the school.

My son has attended this school since pre-k and is now in third grade, a straight A student and loves to learn but this school has downgraded drastically since my daughter attended. They have had 3 principals in the time period that my son has attended, the office staff is rude (I've never had a good experience with anyone in the office although Ive rarely had to go into the office) which is quite disturbing because if their attitudes are that bad dealing with parents then I question how they are with our kids. They do not work hand in hand with the parents and as a matter of fact the ONLY way to get a real response from the the principal is to tag the board of education in the email which is extremely sad. The school implemented a new pickup in 2025-2026 school year, where you have to give a number to have your child released which isn't a problem except for the parents having to stand outside in all increments of weather. Several parents have offered suggestions including but not limited to having us stand in the gym or lunchroom when its raining, snowing or the weather is just too bad but we were informed by the Principal but also A P. Sims that we will have to follow these same procedures when the weather changes as well. So from what I see and have experienced they DO NOT take parent recommendations on making this a smoother process. As far as the language part my son has just started learning Spanish this year consistently since kindergarten when his teacher passed away on break. Japanese, French and Chinese are amazing though but Spanish got lost for many years. I've even overheard teachers talking about how the culture of the languages (mainly Spanish) got lost over the years and Woodley doesnt show too much interest in bringing it back. Last but definitely not least parents would step up more if the school would stop dismissing any and all parent suggestions because it makes a lot of parents not even want to assist due to staff always pushing back especially when we are supposed to be working together for the betterment of our kids future. This will be my son's last year at this chaotic school.