Detroit schools are well known for their commitment to excellence. Despite the hardships faced by the city over the years, the education system has fought hard to retain its standard for excellence.
Schools have been improving dramatically over the last few years and there are promising signs on the horizon.
Students of all ages can enjoy attending classes. You can find everything from high-end private education to honors programs in Detroit’s public schools.
Here’s what parents should know about the K through 12 education system in this major city.
The Key to Understanding Detroit’s Public Schools
One of the biggest benefits of Detroit’s public schools has to be their reporting. You can find reports for all of Detroit’s public schools. These school profiles give you an idea of not only what that school has to offer, but how likely you are to find a match for your child.
This lets you pick the best Detroit schools for your needs. Every learner has different needs in the classroom and being able to select from Detroit’s already outstanding options puts you in a strong place.
Detroit is a city with a rich history. You can find an enriching environment for learning everywhere you turn in this city. From the iconic Book Tower to the many art installations throughout Detroit, there’s no shortage of places to spark imagination and curiosity.
The next step in understanding Detroit’s schools is to get to know the school districts that serve this community.
What are the School Districts Here?
There are over 50,000 students currently enrolled in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. This makes it the biggest of all the school districts in the state.
As with most major cities, Detroit is covered by its own school district. This allows the local school system to better tie into the city’s other services. This district has the impressive task of handling the education for a wide range of student’s throughout the city.
Detroit finds itself located in Wayne county. Even though the city might overshadow its smaller neighbors, there are still plenty of other school districts in the area for people living outside of city limits.
Picking a new school is hard enough, but what do you do if you have a teen in high school?
High Schools Your Teen Will Thrive In
High schools are the pillar of today’s educational system. This is where your teen learns more advanced concepts and gets ready to attend college and start their own life. High school is a time that poses as many challenges as it offers opportunities.
In Detroit, you have your choice from East Detroit High School, Cody - Detroit Institute of Technology College Prep High School, and many other schools.
These high schools offer advanced programs for gifted students as well as sport, music, and other programs.
The next youngest bracket of students is getting ready for middle school!
Making the Leap to Detroit’s Middle Schools
If your child is ready to make the big jump from elementary schools to middle schools, Detroit is the place to be.
You’ll be able to find the right middle school for your child in this city. The local area has public, private, and even religious options for middle school students.
Among the most notable is Cesar Chavez Middle School named after the legendary labor activist, civil rights leader, and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association. This is a great school for both its commitment to Chavez’s legacy and the high-quality education your middle school-aged children can find there.
Students can have their pick of Detroit’s other middle schools including Durfee Middle School which offers not only a great education but also plenty of extracurricular activities.
If your kids aren’t quite ready for those big leaps in education, they might be getting ready for elementary school.
Getting Started with the Elementary Schools in Detroit
Elementary schools are anything but basic. This is where the foundation of your child’s education is going to be laid out. Young minds need some of the most nurturing and these schools can help your kids get off to a strong start.
Parents often turn to leading elementary schools like Burns Elementary-Middle School and Edison Elementary School to start their lifelong educational journey.
Your children can expect to be able to go on some exciting field trips when they attend an elementary school.
Between the museums, art galleries, and nature centers like the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, your children will never run out of educational trips to take with their classmates. Just like its iconic Belle Isle, Detroit is a fantastic place to grow your child’s love for learning.
What about parents who are looking for a more exclusive education?
Does Detroit Have Private Schools?
In the long list of schools, nothing stands out quite like their selection of private academies.
These schools offer some of the best resources for your child. If you want to have smaller classes and more opportunities for your child’s education, this is where you want to be.
Yes, these schools do come with a higher price, but they are also some of the best places for local students whether they are in high school or just starting kindergarten.
The city is also home to a number of schools that have a religious focus.
How to Find a Christian School
For parents who want to find a Christian school, Detroit is a city that offers plenty of options such as Westside Christian Academy and Detroit Christian Schools of Excellence.
There are schools in this city that have a religious focus for not only every age group but also for every faith.
The city is a diverse community and features Christian schools, Catholic schools, and schools for a broad range of other beliefs.
Families who want to prioritize a religious education can find ample opportunities.
Charter Schools Give You an Alternative Option
Charter schools are very similar to public schools but have opened up to change how educational bodies are structured.
These schools run less like the elementary, middle, and high schools you might remember from your childhood and more like a company. This presents a different focus on which aspect of your child’s education gets prioritized. Each charter school is different and offers a unique approach to learning.
One of the keys to understanding what makes your local charter school different is to get in contact with their admin team. Parents of prospective students will be able to discuss educational goals, their child’s needs, and anything else with a representative from the school.
While charter schools might be a new change in education, the city still offers one of the oldest types of education for children.
The Most Prestigious Boarding Schools Near Detroit
Boarding schools aren’t a thing of the past. They are alive and well here, including Cranbrook Schools.
When you enroll your child into a boarding school, they will stay overnight at the school with their peers. Students typically come home for the holidays and return to the boarding school once those breaks have ended.
Out of all of the schools, these are easily some of the most unique. If you are looking for an exclusive and historic education, a boarding school just might be the right choice for you and your child.
Detroit also offers an education even during those seasonal breaks.
Dodge the Heat in Detroit’s Summer Schools
Summer schools can be open for a variety of reasons.
Detroit is home to a number of year-round schools. These take a different approach to learning. Rather than giving kids the entire summer off, they space out breaks throughout the year. Some even give kids more time off in total than conventional schools!
The thinking is that if students are regularly engaged with their education, they will do better in the long run.
Detroit schools also feature summer camps, after school programs, and ways for students to earn college credits and even graduate early. There are educational opportunities that match every goal in this city.
With so much opportunity, what can the city offer you and your children?
What Can Schools Offer Your Kids?
If you’ve been looking through this guide to schools, then you are already primed for just how much this city has to offer.
Detroit is a city that has faced more than its fair share of challenges over the years. This has brought the city together and you can expect to find support across the community. Even the Detroit Lions football team pitches in to support young learners.
The education offered to students is becoming second to none. From advanced classes to a variety of unique and engaging programs, you can find the education that is right for your child.