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Curriculum & Programs

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The Dearborn Public School District offers a warm, safe, and caring learning environment for your child. We offer a wide range of educational opportunities such as an early college program as well as many advanced and highly specialized math and science programs.

Mathematics

Mathematics is the science of patterns and relationships. It is the language and logic of our technological world. Mathematical power is the ability to explore, conjecture reason logically, and use a variety of mathematical methods effectively to solve problems.

Whether you are making or giving change, calculating the numbers of days until your birthday, or figuring out your grade, mathematics is a constant and important part of our daily lives. The ultimate goal of the math program in Dearborn is for all students to develop the mathematical power to participate effectively as citizens and workers in our contemporary world.

The Everyday Math series is used in Dearborn elementary schools. Pre-algebra is introduced beginning in sixth grade, and students continue through a high school course of study that incorporates Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Additionally, students can opt to take higher level electives, including Physics, Statistics, and Advanced Placement classes, either at their home buildings or through intensive programs offered at the Dearborn Math, Science, and Technology Center.

Science

Science and its applications play a significant role in our everyday lives, from the challenge of developing vaccines to finding alternative energy sources to exploring Mars. In Dearborn, the ultimate goals of the science program are for all students to understand their surroundings and comprehend and appreciate the relationships within these surroundings. During the next decade, demand in the United States for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at more than double the rate for all other occupations. The Dearborn Public Schools science program will prepare students to meet the challenges of this ever-changing future.

In Dearborn, in addition to thematic units in grades kindergarten through seven, students study Earth Science in 8th grade, Biology in 9th, and can then opt for either Physics or Chemistry as their required third year of science. Additionally, students can choose a variety of elective classes, offered at all three high school and at Dearborn Center for Math, Science and Technology, including Forensic Science, classes on the environment, and Advanced Placement selections.

Our curriculum is aligned with the Michigan Benchmarks and Standards as mandated by the State. Further information can be found on their website: Michigan Department of Education

Social Studies

Social studies prepares young people to become responsible citizens. In Dearborn, our social studies program of instruction and assessment incorporates methods of inquiry, involves public discourse and decision making, and provides opportunities for citizen involvement. Each year, students receive instruction that allows them to think and act as historians, geographers, political scientists, and economists. Students are also taught to respect and reflect core democratic values in their daily activities.

Each grade focuses on specific content: Kindergarten, Myself and Others; 1st grade, Families and Schools; 2nd grade, the Local Community; 3rd grade, Michigan Studies; 4th grade, United States Studies; 5th grade, Integrated US History (through 1791); 6th grade, Western Hemisphere Studies;

7th grade, Eastern Hemisphere Studies; 8th grade, Integrated US History (through 1898); 9th grade, World History and Geography; 10th grade, US History (through modern day); 11th grade, Economics (one semester) & Civics (one semester). Students can also choose high school elective classes in Psychology, Sociology, and Advanced Placement selections.

World Languages

World Languages is the study of languages and cultures. Learners develop the ability to communicate across languages and across cultures and gain insight into themselves and others. They acquire knowledge of the structure and function of languages and societies. Studying languages provides learners with access to the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a global community, marketplace, and workplace. Equal emphasis is placed on speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture.

In Dearborn, students can begin studying World Languages as electives in 7th grade. Various languages are taught at different schools, and students can choose from American Sign Language, Arabic, French, German, or Spanish offerings, ranging from one semester conversational courses through Advanced Placement classes. Additionally, some elementary schools participate in federal grant programs and provide language instruction in Arabic.

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