Words vs. Numbers — Praise vs. Performance
What They Say
| Who | Quote | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banks (website) | “Dr. Brian Banks, J.D., Ph.D. … create systems of accountability that foster excellent academic outcomes” | macdowellprep.com/meet-our-superintendent | Current |
| Banks (website) | “We aspire to be the best place for leaders to lead and teachers to teach” | macdowellprep.com/about | Current |
| Wells-Stallworth | Board President since 2014. Re-elected herself for 12+ years while school stayed in bottom 3% | EEM record | Confirmed |
| Dagnogo (Chalkbeat) | “The nine-member development team includes Michigan Third Circuit Court Judge Cylenthia LaToye Miller, attorney Lamar Moreland” | Chalkbeat Sep 2025 | Sep 8, 2025 |
| PCA website | “empower ambassadors… rigorous, high-quality education centered on the fields of law and public service” | purposecharteracademy.com | Current |
| PCA website | “Management by The Purpose Group” | Footer, every page | Current |
| Banks (police report) | “I’m an attorney” | DPD #26-0909-0176 | Sep 9, 2026 |
What the Numbers Say
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Math proficiency | 3% | MDE, SchoolDigger |
| Reading proficiency | 12% | U.S. News |
| Statewide rank | Bottom 3% (1,443 of 1,488) | SchoolDigger |
| Staff properly credentialed | 2 of 14 (14%) | MOECS audit Sep 26, 2026 |
| Staff with wrong endorsement | 1 (K teacher has 6-12 English cert) | MOECS |
| Staff with zero credentials | 2 | MOECS |
| Staff with sub permits from other schools | 2 | MOECS |
| Admin cost per student | $1,665 (vs. ~$850 state avg) | MDE audit FY2025 |
| Revenue to management LLC | 72.67% | Financial records |
| Superintendent criminal convictions | 9 (6 felonies, 3 misdemeanors) | ICHAT |
| Bar admission | Never | State Bar of Michigan search |
| Math proficiency trend under Banks | Dropped 70% (10% → 3%) | MDE |
A school that claims “excellence” and “accountability” has 3% math proficiency, 14% properly credentialed staff, and a superintendent with 9 criminal convictions who claims degrees he does not hold. These are not allegations — they are public records. Verify every one of them using the links on our verification page.