Department contact: Curriculum & PD – (313) 827-3181
The Dearborn Public School District provides a friendly, safe, and caring place for your child to learn. We offer many different kinds of learning options, including programs that let students start college early, advanced classes in math and science, and opportunities to explore different careers. All of our courses follow the standards set by the Michigan Department of Education for students from preschool through 12th grade.
MDE Curriculum Standards Pre-K-12
Elementary Grade Level Expectations
Mathematics
Dearborn Public Schools is dedicated to helping all students become confident, capable mathematicians. Our Young 5s – Grade 12 math resources support strong problem-solving skills, collaboration, and real-world applications.
- Grades K–5: Eureka Math² (Great Minds) — builds deep understanding through hands-on models and clear strategies.
- Grades 6–8: i-Ready Classroom Mathematics — blends rigorous instruction with data-driven support for every learner.
- Grades 9–12: enVision AGA Mathematics (Savvas) — emphasizes reasoning and modeling to prepare students for college and careers.
We are proud to partner with families to ensure every student succeeds in math — from kindergarten through graduation!
Science
In Dearborn, we believe that science is far more than a specialized subject; it is a foundational lens through which our students learn to navigate and interpret the world. By prioritizing science as an essential partner to early literacy, we recognize that building deep background knowledge about the natural world is what truly empowers students to become proficient readers and critical thinkers. From exploring the complexities of Mars to solving the urgent challenges of alternative energy and public health, scientific literacy is the cornerstone of informed citizenship. As the demand for STEM professionals continues to grow at more than double the rate of other occupations, our program is committed to fostering the curiosity and analytical skills necessary for students to comprehend their surroundings and thrive. By integrating rigorous scientific inquiry with a focus on literacy, Dearborn Public Schools ensures that every student is prepared to lead and innovate in an ever-changing future.
In Dearborn Public Schools, our science instruction is designed to spark curiosity and foster critical thinking. Our curriculum is strictly aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), ensuring students develop the analytical skills necessary for success in a modern world.
Elementary School (Grades K–5)
We utilize Amplify Science, a phenomenon-based resource developed by The Lawrence Hall of Science.
- Why it works: Amplify engages students in “doing” science rather than just reading about it, casting them in roles like marine biologists or systems engineers.
- Quality Assurance: This resource is highly rated by EdReports for its rigorous alignment with national standards.
- Explore Amplify Science
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Our middle school classrooms utilize Mi-STAR, a curriculum developed specifically for Michigan students by Michigan Technological University.
- Why it works: Mi-STAR uses a “21st-century progressional” model, integrating Earth, Life, and Physical sciences through real-world Michigan contexts and problem-solving.
- Learn more about Mi-STAR
High School (Grades 9–12)
To meet the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements, students complete three years of science. Our current primary resources include:
| Subject | Resource |
| Biology | BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life (Current Pilot Resource) |
| Chemistry | Lab-Aids: A Natural Approach to Chemistry |
| Physics | STEMscopes Physics |
Electives & Advanced Study
Beyond the core requirements, students have access to a diverse range of elective courses across our three high schools and the Dearborn Center for Math, Science, and Technology (DCMST). These include:
- Specialized Sciences: Forensic Science, Anatomy & Physiology, and Environmental Science.
Advanced Placement (AP): College-level courses for students seeking rigorous, credit-bearing opportunities.
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.
Elementary starts with the student and expands to the family, community, Michigan and the United States. They also study US History through 1791. Our core resource is the recently updated Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum (MC3).
Middle school explores the Western and Eastern Hemisphere and studies US History through 1898. Teachers use core resources from TCI: Geography Alive! Regions & People (6th gd), History Alive! The World Through 1750 (7th gd), and History Alive! The United States Through Industrialism (8th gd). to help meet the inquiry demands of the state standards.
High school spans the world and digs deeper into US history through the modern day. Students also take a semester of Economics and Civics and can choose between electives and Advanced Placement courses. Teacher teams pull from a variety of publishers, including New Visions, McDougal Littell, Pearson, Glencoe to enhance their units of study.
Language Arts
Following the Science of Reading, the Dearborn Public Schools provides Young 5s – Grade 12 instruction to build essential literacy skills for the 21st century.
At the elementary level, teachers scaffold instruction based on the essential components of effective reading that were identified by the National Reading Panel (NRP). Our core curricular resource, Amplify CKLA, aligns with the Science of Reading and provides knowledge-rich curricula through “explicit, systematic foundational skills instruction and a proven knowledge-building sequence”. Additionally, Young 5s-Grade 2 instruction begins with phonological and phonemic awareness; students are taught the 150 spellings for the 44 sounds of English, following an intentional progression, to ensure that students systematically acquire and apply skills with automaticity and confidence.
In middle school, the core curricular resource, Amplify ELA, continues to scaffold the rigor of instruction. Students learn to tackle complex texts, make observations, grapple with interesting ideas, and find relevance for themselves. For students needing supplemental literacy support, small group instruction is offered utilizing Phonics for Reading, which provides reinforcement of the critical foundational skills and confidence students need to successfully navigate and comprehend text independently.
At the high school level, students have access to a variety of courses to challenge their literary learning. Teachers utilize various resources, such as CommonLit 360, AP core curriculum, and teacher-developed units, depending upon the course, its requirements, and the needs of the students. For students needing additional literacy support, small group instruction is offered utilizing SIPPS, which provides differentiated instruction that puts students on the path to grade-level literacy success.
Our goal is to graduate students who are confident, articulate communicators and analytical thinkers. Throughout their literacy instruction, students will have had the opportunity to engage with diverse texts to deepen comprehension, hone their written expression for various purposes and audiences, and master effective speaking and listening skills—all vital for success in college, career, and civic life.
World Languages
World Language teachers use a variety of teacher-developed resources alongside district curricular resources, depending on the language and course level. Credit for two years of the same world language is required for high school graduation.
Middle schools offer Arabic (Al-Asas for Teaching Arabic), Spanish (Klett), and/or French (Carnegie), based on student interest.
High schools offer Arabic (Al-Asas for Teaching Arabic), Spanish (Klett), French (Carnegie), German (Wayside Publishing), and American Sign Language, based on student interest.
Health and Human Development
Health and Human Development is taught in the 5th, 7th and 9th grades. The 5th grade content is taught using selected resources from Puberty:The Wonder Years (https://pubertycurriculum.com/). One HIV/AIDS lesson is required by the Michigan Department of Education and is included in the 5th grade curriculum (this is a separate lesson from Michigan Model).
The 7th grade course is based on the Michigan Model for Health – Growing Up & Staying Healthy (Middle School (7-8) | Michigan Model for Health).
The 9th grade course is taught using the Safer Choices resource (Safer Choices – Program Success Center).
Under Michigan law, parents can review the curriculum used for reproductive health classes and may opt their students out of that instruction. Fifth, seventh and ninth grade teachers will offer parents this opt-out form before that instruction begins.
Michigan also requires the district to provide periodic reports about its reproductive health program. Find the most recent report here.