Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan’s largest public education system.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s contract was renewed last year. Vitti took control in 2017 following years of financial hardship and state-appointed emergency managers. In the years since local control was reinstated, the district benefited from consistent management and is in a healthy financial position, despite funding challenges at the federal level.
DPSCD replaced Detroit Public Schools in 2016; the former district exists only to collect taxes in order to pay off its legacy debt. Today, DPSCD has increased teacher pay, channeled funds into a needed facility upgrade plan and refocused on putting students first.
Here’s a breakdown on everything parents should know about Detroit Public Schools Community District.
1. Overview of Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Phone number: 313-240-4377
- Number of schools: 105
- Number of students: 49,038
- Pupil to teacher ratio: 23:1
- Revenue per pupil: $27,449
- Quick links: School calendar, enrollment information
- Claim to fame: The state’s largest public education system focuses on preparing all students to be college and career ready. While the district has faced financial hardship in the past, current school leaders have maintained a balanced budget. The district champions a whole-child approach that merges academics, social-emotional learning, extracurricular activities and health.
2. Fears surrounding student deportations grows
At the beginning of 2025, President Trump rescinded the Biden-era policy which prevented immigration raids at sensitive locations, such as churches and schools.
Shortly afterward, Superintendent Vitti clarified the Detroit district’s rules on interacting with immigration officials at a NAACP meeting at the Northwest Activities Center, reports Channel 7. The district will not give out any student information to immigration officials without a parent or guardian signature allowing the disclosure.
A Western International High School student, Maykol Bogoya Duarte, was detained by immigration officers while driving to a school field trip in late May.
Duarte was deported last month, just 3.5 credits shy of graduating. Community outcry was swift, with educators, fellow students and parents denouncing his deportation.
Duarte’s situation worsens fears surrounding ICE activity when it comes to students. Earlier this year, Superintendent Vitti shared that attendance was down by 5-10%, especially at schools in southwest Detroit, an area known for its immigrant communities.
3. School budget for 2025-26 approved
The new budget for the upcoming school year was approved by the deadline. District leadership was resolved to pass a balanced budget despite less money from federal sources as COVID-19 relief dollars have dried up and some federal funding lies in the balance.
The budget includes funding to maintain the current staffing model and current level of school funding and continue high school incentives including the attendance incentive program. It also adds new priorities, like volunteer stipends, additional staff and a new transportation pilot program for some high schoolers.
One time funding may also be used for certain necessities, according to the new budget. The district might use budgeted dollars on professional development, facility investments, curriculum updates, marketing and IT.
4. Facilities master plan work continues
Serious investments into school buildings are taking place across the district as part of its Facilities Master Plan.
One of those updates is a new building for the Paul Robeson Malcom X (PRMX) Academy. The new school will be housed in a 71,000-square-foot facility with 24 classrooms, a science lab, outdoor play areas, a health suite and more. It is planned to open in 2027.
This project is just one of many. Other new school construction is planned across the district, including at Pershing, Cody, Southeastern and Brenda Scott.
4. Investments into unique student programs
It might sound odd, but Detroit district students with an interest in horses are in luck.
Last year, DPSCD broke ground on an urban equestrian center. The 26,395-square-foot center with equestrian after-school programs and summer camps is run by Detroit Horse Power, a nonprofit. The 14-acre site is located at Fenkell and Linwood and is planned to open in 2026.
The center will have stables to accommodate 17 horses, an indoor riding arena, a renewable-energy powered building, youth classroom space, a community gathering area and more. The new space hopes to offer services to more than 1,000 students.
A revival of the district’s iconic aerospace program is also in the works. The Davis Aerospace Technical High School will return to its original location at the Coleman A. Young International Airport. The school offers training in aircraft maintenance, flight and drone operations.
Renovations are underway with plans to open the airport in fall 2026.
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