The 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade will roll down Woodward Avenue in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 27 bringing floats, bands and Santa to the heart of downtown. Families planning to attend can expect a lively three-mile route, road closures and big crowds. Here’s what parents should know before heading out — from ticket prices to stroller rules.
What parents should know before parade day
The 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade is set for Thanksgiving morning in Detroit. According toThe Parade Company, the route runs about three miles south along Woodward Avenue, from Kirby to Congress, and the parade takes roughly an hour and a half. The route passes through Midtown and Downtown Detroit, with popular viewing spots near landmarks like the Detroit Institute of Arts.
If you’re planning to bring your kids, here are a few practical tips.
Sidewalk viewing is free. Grandstand tickets range from $60-$70 and include reserved seating near the main stage, and allow one child under age two to sit on the lap of a ticketed adult, perThe Parade Company.
Strollers, wagons, skateboards and scooters are not allowed in the grandstands, and security will check small bags.
Portable restrooms are placed along the route.
Road closures and parking may be challenging. Some streets along the parade corridor will close early in the morning. The Parade Company and the City of Detroit recommend purchasing parking in advance and checking city parking facilities.
Families should plan to arrive early to secure a good spot and expect heavier crowds closer to downtown, according to The Parade Company.
The parade is best suited for ages 4 and up, but younger kids may enjoy watching the televised broadcast at home.
Leading up to the big day
In September 2025, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and longtime WDIV anchor Devin Scillian were announced as grand marshals for the 2025 parade, according toWJR News. The Parade Company also opened volunteer registration for various roles behind the scenes, from float building and costume sewing to roles on event day. Volunteers must be at least 16; those age 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
In the weeks before Thanksgiving, performers and units are selected and rehearsals begin. For example, the 2025 All Star pompon team opened registration in September and will participate in an opening show before joining the parade. That’s according toMid American Pompon.
On parade morning
The parade begins at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward and Kirby and marches south to Congress, where the “celebration zone” marks the end, perThe Parade Company.
If you aren’t able to attend in person, you can watch the broadcast on WDIV Local 4.
Grandstands open earlier in the morning. Be sure to arrive on time, as the best views fill up quickly.
How the Thanksgiving Parade started
The tradition goes back to 1924, when Hudson’s department store in Detroit launched a parade featuring floats, papier-mâché heads and marching bands. Over time, The Parade Company, a nonprofit, has taken over planning, managing hundreds of volunteers to make the event happen.
Over the years, the parade has grown to include giant balloons, floats, marching bands, clowns and its signature “Big Head Corps” — oversized papier-mâché heads. The Distinguished Clown Corps is made of local business and community leaders in clown makeup, handing out fun treats along the route.
At the very end, Santa Claus arrives on the final float to welcome the holiday season.
Tips for a smooth morning
If you want your kids to have a good experience, aim to arrive early. Dress in layers (Michigan in late November can be cold). Pick a meeting spot ahead of time in case you lose sight of each other. Use restrooms early before routes get crowded.
Watching it live is unforgettable, but the broadcast option is solid for rest time or sensitive kids. For families who want to get involved, volunteering is worth considering — especially in roles behind the scenes where you can see how the magic comes together.
Plan it
Address:Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street, Detroit (parade begins here and travels south to Congress Street)
Hours:8:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27
Cost:Free (grandstand seating extra)
Parking/Transit:Paid lots downtown; arrive early for road closures
ADA/Sensory Notes:Broadcast option available; portable restrooms along route; wheelchair-accessible viewing in select areas
All information and updates in this story are based on official 2025 details fromThe Parade Company.
Detroit has a way of taking comfort food classics and giving them a bold, flavorful twist — and corned beef egg rolls are a perfect example. This Motor City favorite combines tender, deli-style corned beef with melted cheese and tangy dressing, all wrapped in a crispy egg roll shell. What started as a local fusion snack has turned into a must-try item at delis, diners and food trucks across metro Detroit, earning a loyal following for its crunchy-meets-savory perfection.
What are corned beef egg rolls?
Corned beef egg rolls, which are also known as “Irish egg rolls” or “Reuben egg rolls,” are a twist on the classic combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island or Russian dressing. Then, they wrap it all up in a crispy egg roll shell. The crunchy wrapper, salty beef, tangy cabbage and creamy sauce make for the perfect savory snack.
It’s a fun and unique twist on the classic Reuben sandwich. Rumor has it that Mader’s in Milwaukee made the first Reuben egg rolls in the 1990s but the delicacy is becoming a regional specialty in Detroit.
This cozy spot takes the city’s famed egg-roll-wrapped meat tradition and delivers it with a crispy shell and melty cheddar, all served up late night (open until 2 a.m. on some nights). Whether you’re winding down after the game or grabbing a weekend snack, their egg rolls are bold, comforting and full of local flavor.
Lou’s Deli combines the traditional Detroit deli style with the egg roll twist. The menu features the famous corned beef egg rolls along with a sandwich. The atmosphere here is like an old-fashioned deli, perfect for groups that want a meal that is hearty and classic.
A more sophisticated version of the idea that would be great for a casual dinner with your buddies. They have “Reuben Eggrolls,” which are egg rolls made in-house and filled with Wigley’s corned beef, Swiss cheese and kraut. They come with 1,000-island sauce and are served as a side or appetizer.
People say that this is where the corned beef egg rolls craze in Detroit got it’s start. The chopped brisket gets wrapped in a crunchy egg roll shell, deep fried and distributed as a distinctive local dish. It’s a simple eating spot that focuses on the vibe: lots of flavor, easy to share with others and great for something enjoyable and unique.
D Motown Deli is a Detroit favorite known for hearty sandwiches and creative comfort food. Their corned beef egg rolls are a must-try — crispy on the outside, packed with tender, flavorful corned beef inside, and served with a tangy dipping sauce. It’s a perfect fusion of classic deli flavor and crave-worthy street-food style.
Halloween fun doesn’t have to come with a scary price tag. Across Metro Detroit, families can find free and low-cost ways to celebrate, from lantern-lit strolls and decorated neighborhoods to trick-or-treat trails and even a pup-friendly party. Here are five budget-friendly activities that promise festive fun without breaking the bank.
Times and dates vary Take the kids on a Halloween yard display tour through Clinton Township neighborhoods. Families can enjoy creative and spooky decorations during the full tour night, with additional “lights-on” viewing on select dates. No registration required.
Address:Various neighborhood homes, Clinton Township
Cost:Free
Area:Macomb County
Age fit:All ages
Indoor/outdoor:Outdoor
Stroller-friendly options:Streets and sidewalks; may vary by neighborhood
Parking:Street parking available; check local signage
Metro Detroit families can enjoy affordable Halloween fun at community trick-or-treat trails, fall festivals and kid-friendly celebrations across Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Many events feature candy stations, hayrides, crafts and games at little or no cost. Registration is often required, so check event pages before heading out.
Address:Various locations across Metro Detroit
Cost:Many events free or low-cost ($5–$20 range); some offer free pumpkins, food drives or member discounts
Area:Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties
Age fit:All ages; best for toddlers through early teens
Indoor/outdoor:Mix of indoor and outdoor venues, depending on event
Stroller-friendly options:Parks and trails generally stroller-friendly; hayrides and inflatables may not be
Parking:Most events offer free on-site or nearby lot parking; fees may apply at select venues
Accessibility:Varies by location; some list ADA pathways or sensory-friendly spaces, others provide no details. Parents should confirm directly with organizers.
Step into lantern-lit streets, glowing jack-o’-lantern paths and historic homes during Michigan’s most popular Halloween celebration. Families can meet costumed characters, ride the train and carousel, and enjoy live music and seasonal treats. Tickets are required; early 5:30 p.m. entry available for Hallowe’en Express ticketholders.
Address:20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
Cost:$27–$38 public; $23–$32.50 members; discounts for seniors and youth; free for kids under 2; parking $9 public/free for members
Area:Wayne County
Age fit:Toddlers through teens; family-friendly
Indoor/outdoor:Outdoor historic village with some indoor access to select buildings
Stroller-friendly options:Paths are stroller-friendly; some historic homes may be difficult to access with strollers
Parking:On-site lot; $9 fee for public, free for members
Accessibility:ADA accessible with ramps and paved paths; no sensory-specific hours listed
Bring the family and your pup for a free Halloween outing with live entertainment, giveaways, pet vendors and a dog costume contest. No registration is required. Non-dog park members must show proof of current rabies and DHLPP vaccinations.
Address:Canton Dog Park, 46425 Heather Lane, Canton
Cost:Free
Area:Wayne County
Age fit:All ages; family-friendly with activities for kids and pets
Indoor/outdoor:Outdoor event at the dog park
Stroller-friendly options:Park pathways are stroller-friendly
Parking:On-site parking lot available; no fee details listed
Accessibility:Accessibility details not listed on the event page; parents should contact organizers for ADA accommodations
4–8 p.m. Oct. 25, 2025 (sensory-friendly from 4–4:30 p.m., timed slots every 30 minutes)
Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween stroll with trick-or-treat stations, music, games, art activities and festive decorations that are not scary. A sensory-friendly time slot is available, and costumes are encouraged. Adults do not need to register unless collecting treats.
Address:Village Arts Factory, 50755 Cherry Hill Road, Canton
Cost:$5 per child
Area:Wayne County
Age fit:Toddlers through tweens; recommended for ages 12 and under
Indoor/outdoor:Indoor trick-or-treat stations and activities
Stroller-friendly options:Building appears stroller-friendly; no explicit details listed
Parking:On-site parking lot available; no fee details listed
Accessibility:Sensory-friendly session available; additional ADA details not listed — parents should confirm with organizers
As the fall season rolls in, I’m ready to find a perfect pumpkin patch near me. Opt for a hands-on farm adventure instead of settling for store-bought! Visit one of our recommended farms across Metro Detroit to pick your own pumpkins and bask in the autumn ambiance.
These local pumpkin patches also offer plenty of fall activities, including apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and even haunted houses, making each visit a memorable fall experience.
Note: Dress for the weather. Call ahead for inclement weather to see if the locations are open and call ahead for pricing as many go by pound. Many of them also don’t start selling pumpkins until late September-October.
This article was recently updated on Aug. 3, 2025, by Metro Parent writer Sarah Knieff. The update included her adding thelatest information onpumpkin patches in metro Detroit.Questions? Please reach out to editor@metroparent.com.
Alber Orchard has plenty of pumpkins in the patch starting at the end of September, plus enjoy the cider mill and 100 varieties of apples. The orchard prides itself on heirloom apples and award-winning cider.
This cider mill and farm has u-pick home-grown apples beginning at the beginning of September. The pumpkins will be ready to pick at the beginning of October. Doughnuts and apple cider are available, too.
Stock up on cider, doughnuts and apples while you also hunt for your prized pumpkin. Enjoy some free family fun including cornhole, straw mountain, petting zoo and more.
Head into the fields to pick your own apples, pumpkins, flowers or other fruits and vegetables. You can also select pre-picked apples and other products in the market.
Cook’s has been serving the metro Detroit area since 1933, and in October families can enjoy hayrides on the weekends to the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkins. Then, stay for a doughnut or try seasonal ice cream flavors like pumpkin crunch in the fall and peppermint stick in the winter.
With 20 acres of pumpkins in varying colors and shapes, there’s plenty to choose from at DeBuck’s. Admission includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch, plus access to the corn mazes and family fun areas. This year, they offer a “Pumpkin Town,” which will be a great backdrop for photos.
Bring the whole family (leashed dogs included). There’s also a pumpkin patch, cider, doughnuts, hayrides and corn maze. The Corn Maze opens in early September.
Check out the free straw maze or petting farm, and pick out your own apples or pumpkins. Enjoy pony or hayrides and shop the store for apple cider, doughnuts, mums, canned pickles, jams and salsas.
Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch at Kackleberry Farm with your family. The patch has the perfect background for your fall photos and offers a variety of pumpkins to choose from. Make sure to check out the 7-acre corn maze, which has a game inside the maze and clues to help navigate your way through.
Pick your own apples and pumpkins and take a relaxing wagon ride and check out the Corn Maze. Pick up some honey, apple butter, preserves and breads, too.
Take the family to pick the perfect pumpkin in the patch or buy an already-picked pumpkin near the admission barn. Test out your skills in the 14-acre corn maze, see the farm animals, photo ops and more.
Take the family to pick the perfect pumpkin in this u-pick farm spanning five acres. Kids will love the Barn Yard Playland, train rides, hayrides and corn maze.
This working farm has more than 40 acres of pumpkins to choose from along with a 4-acre maze for adults, teens and families. Take the pumpkin train to the patch. Also, cider and doughnuts, animals and rides. Cash only.
Pick up a pumpkin, see the farm animals and enjoy some cider and doughnuts at this farm. Also, straw bale maze, tire mountain, three-acre playground, wagon ride and more.
Families can enjoy picking apples or pumpkins. The cost of admission includes the corn maze, the family play areas, wagon rides, mega triple slide, wagon rides and more. County Fair tickets are only available online.
Do you know of other great pumpkin patches in metro Detroit? Tell us about them in the comments.
We start celebrating the holidays in November, and there are so many great holiday events to check out together!
Keep on scrolling to see our other top picks of November family events in metro Detroit. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @metroparentmag if you check any of them out!
This article was recently updated in October 2025 by Metro Parent staff.
Best November family events Macomb County
Photo credit: Blake Farms
With several events across November, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Find even more Macomb County events in November on our calendar.
This annual event celebrates learning and literacy. It features free children’s books, cider and donuts. Also, face painting, games, STEM and art activities, story times, a DJ and more. Registration required.
This extravaganza features live music, an artisan market, free children’s crafts and face painting and an annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. Nov. 22. For additional fees, enjoy festival food and drink specials, u-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees, evergreen decor and Igloo Dining. RSVP required.
Cost: $30-$40/Friday adult pass, $45-$55/Saturday adult pass, $40-$50/Sunday adult pass, $90-$100/Weekend adult pass, $249-$259/VIP fan pass (very limited and might not be available at the door), $10-$20/Friday and Saturday child pass, $20-$30/Weekend child pass, Free/Sunday child pass, Free/ages 5 and under; Special event packages are available
Cosplay your favorite comic characters, meet-and-greet with graphic novel bigwigs, check out movie screenings, character Q&As and more.
Cost: $23/standard vehicle advanced ticket, $30/standard vehicle on weekdays, $35/standard vehicle on weekends
Enjoy a holiday-themed light experience from the inside of your vehicle. You’ll see different characters and themes using the latest LED technology and digital animations.
Cost: $21.95/ages 13-plus, $21.95/one adult and one child bundle, $8.95/ages 5-12, free/ages 4 and under; free/parking
Stroll through the winter wonderland at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, which features over a dozen mesmerizing Christmas scenes. Visit with Santa Claus, experience a Polar Pub Crawl, join the Holiday Token Hunt and much more.
Best November family events Wayne County
Photo: A Christmas Story, the Musical at Fox Theatre Detroit
This month, there are so many great holiday celebrations to take part in from Día de los Muertos to Thanksgiving parades. Find even more November events in Wayne County on our calendar.
Bring your Jack-O-Lantern to Mill Pond Park to roll your pumpkin down the hills as fast as you can in a competition. Winners will receive a fun mystery prize. There will also be donuts, hot cider and a pumpkin launcher.
Hear from local crane enthusiast Bill Wells at the Discovery Center with a short discussion of Sandhill Cranes. Afterward, he will lead a driving tour to view cranes in the fields around the Waterloo Recreation Area. Bring binoculars and cameras. Registration required.
Parents inUtica Community SchoolsinMacomb Countymay soon see new school boundaries and building assignments as the district explores moving to a kindergarten through grade five, grade six through eight, and grade nine through 12 grade model to align with Michigan’s curriculum standards and recent facility upgrades.
Utica may change how grade levels are organized
Utica Community Schools is weighing a possible change to how its grade levels are structured, Superintendent Robert Monroe announced in his latest Monroe Memo.
Currently, UCS operates with elementary schools serving kindergarten through sixth grade, junior high schools covering seventh through ninth, and high schools serving 10th through 12th grades. The district is now exploring a more traditional setup — kindergarten through grade five elementary schools, grade six through eight middle schools, and grade nine through 12 high schools — aligning with most other Michigan districts.
Monroe said the district’s Safety and Success Bond, approved in 2023, has expanded building capacity enough to consider this change. The timing also connects with the district’s Enrollment Distribution Advisory Committee (EDAC), which is studying long-term attendance boundaries and classroom use.
“This change would better align our schools to successfully meet curriculum and assessment expectations, and provide more opportunities for sixth and ninth grade students,” Monroe wrote, according toUtica Community Schools.
If approved, the shift would allow UCS to expand middle school programs, strengthen transitions to high school and give students earlier access to electives and co-curricular activities. The district plans to collect parent feedback and publish FAQs and fact sheets as part of a transparent review process.
UCS parents with elementary and middle schoolers could see building changes as early as the 2026–27 school year if the plan moves forward.
Families can submit questions directly to the superintendent’s office through the district website.
State awards clean bus grants to three Macomb districts
Three Macomb County districts — Chippewa Valley Schools, Anchor Bay School District and New Haven Community Schools — will receive new funding to upgrade their bus fleets through the Clean Bus Energy Grant Program, according to theMichigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
The grants are part of a $35.9 million statewide investment aimed at reducing emissions and improving student health.
Chippewa Valley Schools will receive $3.48 million for 10 electric buses.
Anchor Bay School District will receive $984,738 for three electric buses.
New Haven Community Schools will receive $78,927 for two propane buses.
State officials said the new buses will improve air quality, reduce maintenance costs and give students a quieter, cleaner ride, according toEGLE’s Oct. 13 press release.
This round of funding brings Michigan’s total number of clean-powered school buses to nearly 900 statewide, with a final round of grant applications due by Dec. 18, 2025.
Bus upgrades will benefit students across kindergarten through grade 12 beginning next school year.
This story was produced by Instacart and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
These days, Halloween doesn’t wait for October — the season seems to sneak up sooner and sooner. From candy corn to cobwebs, consumers dive into the festivities well before pumpkins take over porches and store aisles. From sweet treats to spooky décor, Instacart data shows that October is one of the most festive times of the year in Michigan, and candy takes center stage.
Candy’s Biggest Day of the Year
Halloween is, unsurprisingly, a big day for candy purchases. On Oct. 31, 2024, the share of orders with candy was 100% higher than the yearly average. Now that’s a sugar high!
Candy hotspots: How does Michigan rank?
Who loads up on candy the most? Since Utah’s first full year on the Instacart platform, Utah has once again decisively claimed the crown, buying candy 50% more often than the national average in October 2024.
The Mountain West and Midwest dominated the leaderboard, with Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho and Nebraska rounding out the top five.
On the flip side, states like Hawai’i, Florida, and California purchased candy at rates well below the national average — proof that America’s sweet tooth isn’t evenly shared.
Michigan’s favorite halloween candy is Twizzlers
While Reese’s, M&M’s and Kit Kat may dominate the national stage, every state has its own quirky candy crush. After comparing each state’s candy purchases against the U.S. overall, here are the sweets that are uniquely beloved in different corners of the country:
Candy Corn found its biggest fans in the Midwest and South, with Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi and Nebraska all stocking up far more often than the rest of the country.
Sour Patch Kids dominated in pockets of the Northeast and beyond, winning over states like Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Texas.
Life Savers made a splash across the East and Southeast, showing up more often in Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Now and Later was the runaway favorite in Louisiana, where residents bought the chewy classic at rates far higher than anywhere else.
Halloween decorations: Spooky season arrived earlier
It’s not just candy that marks the start of spooky season — decorations set the tone too. Instacart data shows that in 2024, households began decking out their homes earlier than in years past. While 2022 and 2023 didn’t see a real pickup until the week of Sept. 7, last year, consumers were already adding Halloween decor to their carts by the week of Aug. 24. So if it felt like those inflatable ghosts and giant spiders showed up sooner than usual, you were right.
Some days, it takes Elyazar Holiday two hours and four buses to travel the 20 miles from his home on the far west side of Detroit to his school on the edge of the east side of the city.
The Detroit school district has limited yellow bus service, and none for most high school students. Like many students in the city, the 17-year-old’s family doesn’t have access to a working car. Riding city buses to Davis Aerospace Technical High School is Holiday’s only option, but – with delays and missed buses – it often proves unreliable.
Last year, Holiday received a gift from his school that made the trek easier: a bicycle.
Principal Michelle Davis gave every student at the school a bike as part of a holistic approach to reducing chronic absenteeism. The bikes were funded through community donations.
Many of the nearly 100 students at Davis Aerospace last year said the bicycles helped them safely get to school by reducing the amount of time they had to walk to school or wait for buses. Others said the bikes gave them a new sense of independence, allowing them to travel around the city with their friends, get to after-school activities or jobs and get exercise.
While Davis believes the bicycles improved attendance during good weather in the fall and spring, she said it’s only one measure the school is taking to get kids to class.
“Giving the students bikes is just one problem that we’ve solved for,” Davis told Chalkbeat. “What we do intentionally is solve for all of the problems that the kids have, because that has to be our major responsibility.”
Principal Michelle Davis poses in front of her “Big Ideas” board. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)
The principal wanted her students to feel the same sense of independence she did as a teen when her mother bought her a pink Huffy.
So, Davis wrote “bikes” at the top of a white board next to her desk that lists her “big ideas.” And soon the vision came to fruition.
Other high schools in the district may also soon give bikes to their students. Last school year, the district surveyed high school students who were chronically absent about why they missed too much school. Some of the students said having a bike would help improve their attendance.
After the district’s school board heard the feedback at a July meeting, some members said they wanted the superintendent to follow up on whether a stock of “dozens” of bicycles in a storage warehouse could be used for that purpose.
Can bikes reduce chronic absenteeism in Detroit?
Chronic absenteeism, defined for Michigan students as missing 10% of the school year, has long been a problem in DPSCD. Issues such as high rates of poverty, health concerns, parents’ work schedules and unsafe routes to school keep many children from missing crucial instructional time.
Students at Davis Aerospace say the bikes have helped address some of those barriers.
A poster tracking attendance for each grade is one of the first things students see as they enter their school building. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)
Holiday, for example, said his bike allows him to get to bus stops more quickly.
The first bus Holiday usually rides is regularly late by 20 minutes to an hour, he said.
If that bus doesn’t come in time, the teen has to decide whether he’ll go to another stop to try and catch a bus on a different route.
“I might miss those if I walk too slow, or I might be tired from trying to run to make it there,” he said.
Now, if the bus that runs on Plymouth Road doesn’t arrive, the teen can ride his bike to another stop. Or if Holiday isn’t able to catch a transfer due to delays, he can ride his bike the rest of the way to school.
“With the bike, I can still make up the distance or go to a different street to get on a different bus and still make it there on time,” he said.
“A bike in itself is protection,” said Holiday. “You can use that to get away from the situation. You can use that as a barrier between you and something coming at you in the heat of the moment. You can even throw it.”
The bikes also help students left without a ride because their parents have to get younger kids to school earlier in the morning.
Myron Dean, a senior at Davis Aerospace, said while his parents take his five younger siblings to their schools, he has to get to school on his own.
With a bike, Dean can get to school in about seven minutes.
Dean is also using the bike to get to driver’s education classes so he can eventually drive himself and his siblings anywhere they need to go.
Junior Tryve Roberts said when no one in his family was able to give him a ride, he used to have to walk to school. It took about an hour, which would make him tardy.
Now, since he can get to school on the bike in about 16 minutes, he’s showing up on time more often.
Some research and anecdotal evidence in other parts of the country suggest bicycles alone may reduce chronic absenteeism. Those who support the idea say using bikes to get to school gives more students access to transportation they otherwise wouldn’t have, can improve their health and well-being and adds motivation for kids to improve attendance.
However, the successful examples proponents cite are in parts of the country with warmer climates, such as Florida, Tennessee and Arizona.
At Davis Aerospace, the students are taught bike safety and instructed to not ride to school in poor weather conditions or during the winter.
There are nearly 165 miles of bike lanes in the city, according to advocacy groups, but not every neighborhood in the city has access to continuous dedicated bike paths.
At Davis Aerospace, the chronic absenteeism rate dropped by more than 14 percentage points last school year compared to 2023-24. Since 2018-19, the chronic absenteeism rate at the school fell by nearly 23 percentage points.
Even with that progress, more than 42% of Davis Aerospace students missed too many days of school last year. And the problem is more persistent in the district’s neighborhood schools.
For example, Denby High School, which is also on the east side of the city, had a chronic absenteeism rate of nearly 80% last year.
Some of Davis Aerospace’s progress may be due in part to the bikes, but the school had already been making steady progress in reducing absenteeism before that program.
“What we know is that there’s not just one thing that’s going to decrease absenteeism,” said Davis. “Every kid that has a barrier for attendance, we talk to those students. We see what the barriers are, and we solve for the student and their challenge to getting to school.”
Students can pick out any items they want from the school’s free boutique. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)
At the school, which requires an application for students to attend, reducing absenteeism is ingrained in the culture.
A poster hanging on a brick wall by the school entrance tracks the daily attendance rate of each grade. Students who miss two days or fewer in the class with the highest attendance each month get rewards like cookies, nachos, or a movie day.
A room on the first floor of the school looks like a clothing boutique, except the clothes “for sale” are all marked “100% free.” Kids can grab the things they need to show up to school, like winter coats, gloves, and new shoes.
In another space, kids can get the hygiene products they need to show up ready to learn. There’s also a washer and dryer in the school where students can clean their clothes.
Davis said there are discussions around creating a parent carpool for kids who live near each other.
‘A form of freedom’
The gift of the bikes was not simply a pragmatic attempt to reduce absenteeism, said Davis. It was an act of love.
“When you’re a teenager, bikes are your first form of transportation, right?” Davis said. “It gives you a form of freedom. You explore the world with your bike.”
Students Elyazar Holiday, Savannah Robinson, Ciana Carter, and Myron Dean pose with bikes in front of Davis Aerospace. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)
Junior Roderic Pippen said his bike helped him find a new hobby.
“I like to adventure on the bike – find new places to be at,” he said. “My bike trips are more fun than just sitting in the car, scrolling on the internet.”
Holiday will use his bike this year to attend biweekly events by the Midnight Golf Program, a mentorship and college readiness nonprofit.
Before they got bikes, seniors Savannah Robinson and Ciana Carter felt stuck at home during summer breaks because their parents were busy with work.
Last summer, the girls had the freedom to ride to meet up and go to places like the beauty supply store and restaurants.
“Anytime she had a bad day over summer, I’d be like, come on, girl, let’s go ride our bikes and get fresh air,” said Robinson. “So it’s really helpful for both of us.”
Hannah Dellinger covers Detroit schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.
