Utica Community Schools is a growing district with a commitment to offering students education options they couldn’t find elsewhere in southeast Michigan.
Students at Utica schools can choose to learn in a classic school environment or in a specialty center focused on an interest in subjects like math, science and engineering.
This story was updated on Sept. 4, 2025, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager Katina Beniaris. She added writer Amanda Rahn’s reports on the latest news for Utica Community Schools. Questions? Email katina@metroparent.com.
Here’s a breakdown on everything parents should know about UCS
1. Overview of Utica Community Schools
- Phone number: 586-797-1000
- Number of schools: 35
- Number of students: 25,092
- Pupil to teacher ratio: 23:1
- Revenue per pupil: $15,548
- Quick links: School calendar, enrollment information
- Claim to fame: Utica Community Schools is known for its student achievement–students consistently score above state averages. Students in this school district have access to a diverse selection of clubs, sports and specialty programs. Plus, the school district’s graduation rates are among the best in all of southeast Michigan.
2. DeKeyser Elementary renovation complete
Utica Community School began the largest and most transformative facility improvement project in the history of the district last summer, and now, it has a brand new elementary school to show off.
DeKeyser Elementary is now a modern, state-of-the-art learning facility. It’s reconstruction will serve as a blueprint for other district redesigns.
A $550 million bond approved in 2023 is responsible for the major investment, and there are many other upgrades coming thanks to the funds.
Other upcoming changes include new turf fields at the high schools, furniture upgrades, modernization of cafeteria spaces, better plumbing and more.
Each school has a detailed list of improvements and timelines for the updates. Interested parents can find more information from the district here.
3. Changes to free school meals
As lawmakers continue to dispute over how to spend state dollars, school district leaders worry that free school meals for all students through the Michigan School Meals program might not be possible to offer without the promise of future funds.
The budget was supposed to be confirmed in July. Now, school districts across the state are facing a difficult decision.
In a memo, Diane Golzynski, state deputy superintendent of business, health and library services, urged school districts across the state to continue to provide free meals at the beginning of the school year.
Golzynski said Michigan School Meals funding for free breakfast and lunch is guaranteed through Sept. 30, 2025. After that, it’s unclear how schools will be able to fund free meal programs for all students. Income-based free meal programs will still be available.
Utica Community Schools said it will continue to provide free meals through Sept. 30, but whether it will continue after that date is not clear.
4. Utica to receive more than $2 million for early literacy
The state of Michigan allocated $87 million to school districts across the state to improve early student literacy. Of that $87 million, Utica Community Schools will receive more than $2 million.
The districts were given a choice between different approved literacy resources. The funds must be used on high-quality, whole classroom literacy materials, literacy interventions or literacy professional development, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) said in a statement.
UCS has chosen to spend the funds on a K–5 core literacy program based on principles of the Science of Reading.
5. District STEM program continues to shine
Students from the Utica Center for Design and Industry (CSI), a half-day program available to high schoolers, earned another national title this year.
CSI students Niken Patel and Logan Lawler took home first place in the SkillsUSA competition this summer. This is the second year a CSI took home a national title.
At CSI, learners explore careers in mechatronics, multi-media programs or engineering technology.
The program is one of many award-winning STEM programs available in the district. Students with an interest in the sciences can also participate in programs like Stevenson Manufacturing, Automation and Design Engineering (MADE), Utica Center for Science and Industry (CSI), Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST), Utica High School Health and Human Services Academy (HHS).
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