Education and schools in Detroit

Detroit’s public school district is the biggest in Michigan, serving some 50,000 students in more than 100 schools. There are also many private and international schools. The standard of education and schools in Detroit varies, ranging from excellent to substandard.

Budget, proximity and the individual student’s specific needs will dictate their choice of school, so it’s worth doing some research before moving.

If you’re looking for curricula in line with religious teachings, you’ll find many institutions affiliated with different faiths, such as Catholicism, Islam, and the Lutheran Church, among others. Additionally, there are Waldorf and Montessori schools in Detroit.

Public schools in Detroit

Unfortunately, Detroit is extremely polarised when it comes to income, and this directly affects schools. The metro generally follows the usual rule of thumb when it comes to school excellence and performance, with institutions in the wealthier areas faring better than those in more impoverished neighbourhoods, such as those in parts of the inner city.

Children attend a public school according to their residential area, but schools may occasionally accept students from other catchment areas.

The Detroit Public Schools Community School District also has magnet and Montessori schools. Exceptional and gifted students can also access some of the district’s advanced learning programmes aimed at growing their knowledge.

Charter schools

Charter schools are government-funded institutions that operate independently and offer more flexible curricula. They are extremely popular in Detroit, with the highest enrolment rates in the United States, behind only Philadelphia. Indeed, more learners are now attending charter schools than public schools, with results and performance favouring the former.

Read Education and Schools in the USA to learn more about the national public education system.

Useful links

• Detroit Public Schools Community District

International schools in Detroit

Although not as popular as local schools, international schools are a great option if you’re staying in Detroit for the short term and want your child to continue learning their home curriculum or another globally recognised curriculum. There are numerous institutions that follow a foreign curriculum, such as the British schooling system, and some schools offer the International Baccalaureate.

There aren’t many international schools in Detroit, so you should begin the application and enrolment process as soon as possible to ensure your child receives a placement offer. International schools are also quite pricey, and the quoted tuition fees often exclude extras such as uniforms and extracurriculars. While these schools are expensive, they frequently offer high teaching standards and have excellent facilities.

Read more

• International Schools in Detroit

Special-needs education in Detroit

Children with special educational needs, such as learning or developmental issues, are well catered for in Detroit when it comes to inclusive and specialised education. Disabled or differently abled children are granted learning support, emotional support, life skills support or multiple-disabilities support.

The school will typically work together with parents, children, and specialists to develop Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) based on students’ specific needs.

Outside the public school system, the city also has specialised institutions that cater to specific disabilities, such as schools for Deaf or blind learners, and other specialised schools.

Useful links

• Detroit Public Schools Community District – Exceptional Student Education

Tutors in Detroit

Parents in Detroit have the option of additional tutoring. This is helpful when children require assistance in specific subject areas such as English, maths, or science, or when studying for important entrance exams such as the SATs.

It could also benefit children new to the city by helping them build confidence in their new learning environment. Some top tutoring companies in Detroit include Kumon Math and Reading Center of Detroit and Taylor Made Learning. Parents who don’t want to work through a tutoring service will find that there are also many private tutors in the city, ranging from retired teachers to university students.

Useful links

• Kumon Math and Reading Center of Detroit
• Taylor Made Learning