Parent engagement and more resources to get kids to school: What to expect this school year in Detroit

August 14, 2026

Detroit is launching several transportation and safety initiatives to address chronic absenteeism and help students get to school for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The city is deploying 50-100 trained transit employees as safety ambassadors on buses and at stops, continuing free bus service through a state grant, and piloting a ride-share program for 150 students at four high schools with high absenteeism rates. Detroit Public Schools Community District is expanding yellow bus service to two additional high schools and implementing a high school redesign focused on ninth graders, including career pathway exploration and smaller class sizes.

Who is affected

Detroit students attending both district and charter schools
Students at Pershing, Denby, Osborn high schools, and East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney (ride share pilot participants)
Students at Henry Ford High School, East English Village, Pershing High School, and Cody High School (yellow bus expansion)
Ninth graders at 11 DPSCD neighborhood high schools (high school redesign)
Middle and high school students (perfect attendance incentive program)
Students at Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School (school closure)
Students at Barack Obama Leadership Academy and Old Redford Academy (charter school closures)
Parents of DPSCD students, including Tanecia Wilson
Detroit Department of Transportation employees (50-100 receiving additional training)
DPSCD board members, including Chair LaTrice McClendon, vice chair Corletta Vaughn, incumbents Steve Bland Jr. and Bessie Lee Harris
34 candidates running for school board
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti

What action is being taken

Detroit Department of Transportation is deploying 50-100 trained city employees as safety ambassadors at bus stops, transit centers, and on high-ridership buses
The city is providing free bus service to all Detroit students (continuing from April)
A ride share pilot is running from August 24 through mid-October for approximately 150 students from four high schools
DPSCD is expanding yellow school bus service to Pershing and Cody high schools
The district is implementing a high school redesign for ninth graders, including career pathway seminar classes
DPSCD is hiring seven more high school counselors
The district increased funding for classroom supplies by $4.5 million
Principals are holding regular town halls to answer parent questions
The perfect attendance incentive program is returning and expanding to middle schoolers

Why it matters

This initiative addresses systemic barriers to education in Detroit, where chronic absenteeism reached 60.9% in 2024-25, meaning the majority of students missed approximately 18 or more days of school. Transportation challenges and safety concerns have been identified as significant obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, which directly impacts academic performance. The coordinated efforts between city and school officials represent a comprehensive approach to tackling attendance issues that affect both district and charter school students. With increasing parental criticism regarding test scores, budget transparency, and district spending, these visible investments in student support services come at a critical time when the district needs to demonstrate accountability. Additionally, with five of seven school board seats up for election in November, these initiatives could influence public confidence in district leadership and governance.

What's next

The 2026-27 school year begins August 24 in DPSCD and many charter schools
The ride share pilot runs through mid-October, with potential scaling based on results
School board election on November 3 with five of seven seats contested
The board must appoint a new member to replace deceased member Iris Taylor ahead of the election
DPSCD is planning two town halls focused on special education (dates not yet posted)
Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School will close after this school year
Barack Obama Leadership Academy will not reopen for the 2026-27 school year

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com