Dearborn Public Schools

What Dearborn Public Schools does

Dearborn Public Schools is a tax-funded K-12 public school district headquartered at 18700 Audette St, Dearborn, Michigan, serving approximately 19,347 students across 37 district buildings with 1,426 instructors and roughly 2,700 total employees. Founded in 1944 and led since July 1, 2026 by Superintendent Mike Esseily, the district delivers a comprehensive educational program from early childhood (Cotter Early Childhood Center, GSRP preschool, Young 5s, tuition-based developmental preschool) through K-12 academics including special education, English Learners, career and technical education, multiple magnet pathways (DCMST, STEM Middle School, Dearborn Magnet High School, Henry Ford Early College, Newcomer College Prep Academy), and adult education (GED, ESL, citizenship test prep). The underlying technology stack consists of MISTAR's Parent/Student Connect portals, Google Workspace integration, district-issued Chromebooks for a 1:1 program, ParentSquare for unified family communications (since July 2025), and Parchment for electronic transcript exchange with Michigan colleges and 12 additional states.

The business model is non-commercial: education is provided free to district residents as a public good, with revenue derived primarily from state per-pupil foundation allowance, local property taxes, and federal grants. The only user-paid services are the tuition-based developmental preschool and before/after-school Kids Club childcare. The district is pursuing a $1.51 billion bond on the November 3, 2026 ballot — a 3.14 mill capital request that is tax-neutral for Dearborn homeowners due to offsetting mill reductions in City and district operating levies. The customer base is captive by regulatory geography (Dearborn residents, K-12 plus adult learners) and includes five demographic segments: traditional K-12 students, early-childhood families, English Learners, students with disabilities, and adult learners. Five schools have earned U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon recognition, and the Early Learning Coalition of Dearborn integrates the district with municipal, library, healthcare, and university partners.

Name

Dearborn Public Schools

Legal name

Dearborn Public Schools

Website

https://dearbornschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Dearborn Public Schools is a tax-funded K-12 public school district in Dearborn, Michigan, serving approximately 19,347 students across 37 buildings with comprehensive programs spanning early childhood, magnet, special education, and adult learning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD), Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), Head Start & Public Pre-K Programs (EDACABAK), Nursery School Readiness & Transition Programs (EDACACAL)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• Early childhood education
• Special education services
• Career technical education
• Adult education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dearborn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a public school district, Dearborn Public Schools is funded primarily through state per-pupil funding, local property taxes, and federal grants. The district is seeking a $1.51 billion bond for facilities improvements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dearborn Public Schools is a traditional K-12 public school district serving approximately 19,347 students across 37 district buildings in Dearborn, Michigan. The district delivers free public education from kindergarten through 12th grade, supplemented by early childhood programs (GSRP preschool, Young 5s, tuition-based developmental preschool), specialized magnet and alternative schools (DCMST, STEM Middle, Dearborn Magnet High School, Newcomer College Prep Academy, Henry Ford Early College), career and technical education, special education, English learner support, and adult education programs including ESL, GED, and citizenship preparation.

Product overview

Dearborn Public Schools is a traditional public school district serving Dearborn, Michigan with a comprehensive PK-12 educational platform spanning 37 district buildings with approximately 19,347 students and 1,426 instructors. The district operates a unified educational platform consisting of core academic programs, specialized magnet schools, early childhood education, special education services, adult education, and career technical training. Key product modules include: Early Learning programs (GSRP preschool, Young 5s, Kids Club childcare), Magnet and Alternative Schools (STEM Middle, DCMST, Dearborn Magnet, NCPA, Early College), Career & Technical Education through Michael Berry Career Center, Student Information Systems (Parent/Student Connect portals), and Support Services (Special Education, English Learners, Transportation, Nutrition). The district also maintains digital learning infrastructure including Chromebooks for students and uses ParentSquare for family communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cotter Early Childhood Center: Dedicated early childhood center offering preschool programs and Parent University workshops for families with children ages 6 months to preschool age.
• Early Learning Coalition of Dearborn

Products and services

• K-12 Public Education Free public school education for kindergarten through 12th grade students residing within the Dearborn school district boundaries, delivered across 37 district buildings including 21 elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
• Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) Michigan state-funded free full-day preschool program for four-year-old children who qualify based on annual income guidelines, providing educational, health, social work, mental health and parent involvement services using HighScope curriculum.
• Young 5s Kindergarten Program Two-year kindergarten experience for children who turn five between June 15 and December 2nd, providing an enriching and academically challenging environment to build skills before starting kindergarten.
• Tuition-Based Developmental Preschool Paid preschool program for children ages 3-5 at multiple district locations, offering developmentally appropriate curriculum incorporating early literacy, math, science, and art with half-day, full-day, and extended day scheduling options.
• Kids Club Before and After School Childcare Childcare program for students ages 5-12 offering games, activities, projects, music, movement, community involvement, and homework support before and after regular school hours.
• Career & Technical Education Programs at Michael Berry Career Center offering training in various career and technical fields for students preparing for high-skill, high-demand, high-paying careers.
• Dearborn Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (DCMST) Half-day magnet program for high-achieving students focused on mathematics, science, and technology education.
• Henry Ford Early College Small high school program located on the campus of Henry Ford College allowing students to earn college credits while completing high school requirements.
• Dearborn Magnet High School Alternative high school for students who have experienced difficulties at their home high school, offering specialized support and alternative pathways to graduation.
• Newcomer College Prep Academy (NCPA) Alternative high school designed to support immigrant and refugee students who are new to the United States education system.
• STEM Middle School Magnet school for students in grades 6-8 focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
• Special Education Services Comprehensive special education program including Child Find, 504 Plans, Specific Learning Disabilities support, and Emotional Support Hotline for students with disabilities.
• English Learners Program Language support programs for students whose primary home language is not English, providing English language learning services through dedicated coordinators and trainers.
• Adult Education Programs including GED preparation, High School Completion, ESL classes, and U.S. Citizenship test preparation for adult learners, with citizenship classes hosted at Henry Ford College.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne RESA administers the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) in partnership with Dearborn Public Schools. The district collaborates with RESA on educational initiatives and services for students.
• Michigan Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Department of Education sponsors the GSRP program and provides state educational standards and funding for Dearborn Public Schools.
• City of Dearborn Economic Development DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Early Learning Coalition of Dearborn, working together to help parents and caregivers raise healthy, happy and prepared children.
• Dearborn Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Early Learning Coalition, providing literacy resources and programs for children and families in the district.
• United Way for Southeastern MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Early Learning Coalition, contributing to community resources and support services for families.
• University of Michigan – DearbornminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Michigan-Dearborn CEHHS-Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education collaborates through the Early Learning Coalition.
• Henry Ford CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Henry Ford Early College program and hosts adult education citizenship classes at their facility.
• Starfish Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Early Learning Coalition providing early childhood services and family support.
• M & M Early Learning AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Early Learning Coalition offering early childhood education services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Wayne-Westland Community Schools: Neighboring Wayne County public school district serving Wayne and Westland. Comparable Michigan public K-12 district with similar enrollment scale (~10,000-12,000 students), urban-suburban demographic profile, and state funding structure.
• Detroit Public Schools Community District: Largest Michigan public school district serving Detroit. Comparable as a Michigan public K-12 district operating under state oversight with similar funding model (per-pupil aid + local taxes), though significantly larger and urban-focused.
• Livonia Public Schools: Large suburban Michigan public school district with similar enrollment scale (~14,000 students). Comparable in operational scope and statewide funding environment, though with a different demographic profile.
• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools: Suburban Wayne County district of comparable size (~17,000 students) operating under the same Michigan funding model. Comparable as a peer public K-12 district in scale, governance structure, and program offerings.
• Crestwood School District: Dearborn Heights-area Michigan public school district serving a similar Middle Eastern-American demographic. Operates as a peer K-12 district within close geographic proximity, competing for the same regional student population.

Direct peers

• Dearborn Heights School District 7: Adjacent public K-12 district in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Most directly comparable peer as it competes for families on Dearborn's border and operates with identical state funding mechanics and similar demographic mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dearbornpublicschools
• Instagraminstagram.com/earlylearningdbn

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dearborn Public Schools