News Summary
Detroit Public Schools Community District reports a rise in student attendance early in the school year, with 48,823 students attending classes. This marks a slight increase from last year and a significant rise from 2023. While enrollment remains a key focus, attendance has taken precedence as factors such as relocation and students choosing alternative schools are analyzed. Furthermore, concerns about paraprofessional training and strategies for improving underutilized schools were discussed, highlighting ongoing challenges within the district.
Detroit has reported an increase in student attendance three weeks into the new school year, as the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) recorded a total of 48,823 students attending classes as of the eleventh day of school. This figure represents a slight increase from the same period last year, which showed 48,386 students. The numbers have also risen significantly compared to 2023, when attendance stood at 47,401 students.
DPSCD currently has an overall enrollment of 52,505 K-12 students. By comparison, enrollment in 2024 was documented at 53,044 students. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti acknowledged the growth of 437 students from last year and noted that the attendance has increased by 1,422 students compared to two years ago. Vitti highlighted that while enrollment numbers are important, attendance is critical due to potential fluctuations from factors like families relocating out of state and students opting for schools outside of the district.
The district routinely releases early enrollment and attendance statistics each year as a way to offer a quick snapshot ahead of the official Count Days in October and February. These count days play a vital role as they directly impact state funding allocations for the school district.
Along with improvements in attendance, enhancing student engagement remains a top priority for the DPSCD, especially as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt. Evaluating attendance is seen as a key factor in the district’s strategic planning going forward.
During the public comment period, concerns over staff training were raised by Michelle Lee, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 345. She pointed out issues regarding inadequate training for paraprofessionals who work with special education students, citing a recent incident of violence where a paraprofessional was injured by a student as an example of the consequences of insufficient training.
The president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins, also stressed the need for regular training for both Exceptional Student Education (ESE) staff and general education staff due to increasing demands for special education services. Last year, a two-year contract was adopted offering a $15,000 annual bonus for employees supporting students with individualized education programs.
Currently, Michigan does not impose certification requirements for paraprofessionals beyond a high school diploma. In response, DPSCD provides crisis intervention training annually, with 312 paraprofessionals having already completed this training and 93 still needing to participate. The district is committed to ensuring that the remaining paraprofessionals finalize their training by the end of September through a series of organized sessions.
Furthermore, the district is actively addressing the problem of underutilized schools, noting a significant decline in student enrollment from over 156,000 students in the 2002-03 school year to just 49,000 last year. This sharp drop has raised financial challenges regarding the operation of schools with low enrollment rates. Possible measures to boost enrollment and address these issues include school mergers and enhanced marketing strategies to attract students back to the district.
Overall, DPSCD’s increased enrollment and attendance figures indicate positive momentum in the school district, but ongoing challenges related to training and school utilization remain a focus for administration and community stakeholders alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
American Rheinmetall Invests $31.7 Million in Auburn Hills
Controversy Surrounds Secretary of Education’s Visit to Detroit
MetPlus.org Opens New Facility in Detroit
Detroit Cultural Institutions Innovate to Enhance Accessibility
Edward Deeb, Influential Detroit Leader, Passes Away
High School Football Season Kicks Off in Detroit
Detroit Schools Show Improvement in Reading Proficiency
Detroit Public Schools Achieve Literacy Milestone for Third Graders
Back-to-School Tips from Metro Detroit Teachers
Back-to-School Advice from Metro Detroit Educators
Additional Resources
- Michigan Advance: Detroit District’s Small Schools
- Wikipedia: Detroit Public Schools
- Crain’s Detroit: Michigan School District Enrollment
- Google Search: Michigan school enrollment
- Bridge Michigan: K-12 School Enrollment Falls
- Google Scholar: Michigan education enrollment
- Detroit Chamber: The Case for Dual Enrollment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dual Enrollment
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: K-12 Enrollment Decline
- Google News: Michigan education news
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
