First day excitement as metro Detroit students head back to school

August 24, 2026

Students across metro Detroit returned to school on Monday, marking the first day of the 2026-27 academic year in several districts including Detroit Public Schools Community District and suburban areas like Rochester Hills. The school year brings significant changes, including new state restrictions on cell phone use during instruction, mandatory fitness testing in gym classes, the elimination of the SAT essay portion, and continued free meal programs for all public school students. Detroit is implementing expanded initiatives to combat chronic absenteeism, including free bus service, rideshare programs for select high schools, and attendance incentive payments now extended to middle schoolers.

Who is affected

Students across metro Detroit school districts, including Detroit Public Schools Community District, Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, Hart Middle School, East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney, Carstens Elementary-Middle School, Nolan Elementary-Middle School, Bennett Elementary School, Oak Park High School, and Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School
Specific students mentioned: Jasmine Ng (junior at Stoney Creek), Ortez Matthews (senior at East English Village), Addison Fogler (senior at Stoney Creek), Mobolaji Akimbiyi (junior at Stoney Creek), and Evan Pringle (ninth grader starting at Oak Park High School)
DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti
School staff, teachers, and principals including Principal Brian Shelson (Stoney Creek) and Principal Melissa Villarreal (Bennett Elementary)
Students and families at Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School facing school closure
High school juniors preparing for college admissions
The next elected governor of Michigan

What action is being taken

Schools are implementing new state rules restricting wireless device use during instruction
Detroit is providing free bus service to all Detroit students through the Detroit Department of Transportation
Detroit is launching a rideshare service program to students at four high schools
DPSCD is expanding its perfect attendance payment program to include middle school students (previously only high school)
DPSCD is expanding yellow school bus service at high schools with high chronic absenteeism rates
Schools are providing free meals to all public school students regardless of income
Gym classes are including fitness tests
School staff and community members are conducting "clap-in" events to welcome students
Superintendent Vitti is visiting multiple schools across the district and fielding student questions

Why it matters

This school year represents a significant period of transition and reform in Michigan education. The new cell phone restrictions aim to improve student focus and reduce distractions during instruction time, addressing concerns about Gen Z's device dependency. Detroit's multi-pronged approach to chronic absenteeism—including transportation solutions and financial incentives—reflects the critical link between attendance and academic achievement. The elimination of the SAT essay reduces testing burdens on college-bound juniors during an already stressful application season. The upcoming gubernatorial election in three months could dramatically reshape education policy in response to poor test scores statewide. Additionally, the closure of Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School highlights ongoing enrollment challenges facing urban districts, which disrupts educational continuity for affected students and families.

What's next

Voters will elect a new governor in three months (approximately December) who will have power to push for changes addressing poor test scores
High school juniors will take the SAT in the spring as part of the Michigan Merit Exam (without the essay portion)
Mobolaji Akimbiyi plans to take the SAT in two weeks
Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School is set to close at the end of June due to low enrollment and high costs

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com