District Updates
Career cards show Stout students their future selves
Stout Middle School students and parents attending parent-teacher conferences in November 2025 received a special surprise.
Staff took each child’s photo and put it through AI to create an image of the student as their future self in their chosen career. Each card had the student’s name, their future career and the phrase “Your future self is counting on you today!”
The cards were intended to help students think about their future plans and to remind them that what they do even in middle school helps set the stage for their future success.
District receives award for encouraging students to plan for college and post-secondary education
The Michigan College Access Network recently recognized Dearborn Public Schools for its strong programs encouraging students to attend college or a post secondary program.
The district received the 2025 Catalyst Award on Nov. 4.
MCAN is a statewide network focused on improving college and postsecondary access and success. The organization’s 60 by 30 mission aims to increase to 60 percent by 2030 the number of Michiganders who have a postsecondary or college degree.
Eighth graders and parents invited to meetings about high school programs
District eighth graders will be learning more about high school options in Dearborn Public Schools in December. Parents are invited to attend the sessions at their child’s school or one of two sessions planned via Zoom in December.
Each middle school will host a program about an hour long where students will learn more about the Henry Ford Early College and the Dearborn Center for Math Science and Technology. For both programs, students would need to decide this winter if they are interested in starting the program as ninth graders next fall. For a more comprehensive list of high school programs, parents and students are encouraged to visit the high school options page on the district website.
Zoom meetings will be held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15. The Early College programs are open to any student in Wayne County.
Transfer window open until Dec. 1 for Virtual K-12 second semester
The transfer window is now open for district parents interested in transferring their child into or out of Dearborn Schools Virtual K-12 for the second semester.
Transfer requests must be received by Dec. 1, 2025.
Students in Virtual K-12 attend school entirely online. They are no longer enrolled in their local school. Find more information about Virtual K-12 and the link to request a transfer on the school’s website.
Virtual K-12 is open to students from across Wayne County. Students who are not currently enrolled in Dearborn Public Schools would first need to enroll in the district by visiting our Enrollment page.
Lamis Srour named interim superintendent
Lamis Srour was appointed interim superintendent for Dearborn Public Schools at the regular November Board of Education meeting on Monday, Nov. 10.
Ms. Srour has served as the Executive Director of Student Achievement over the Edsel Ford High School track since 2022. In addition to overseeing a dozen schools, she also leads curriculum design and initiatives at the elementary level and oversees all the early childhood programs. Additionally, she leads an interfaith consortium where local faith leaders connect with district cabinet-level staff to build relationships focused on sharing of information, providing clarity, and collectively meeting the needs of their shared communities.
Before she was named an executive director, Ms. Srour served as an elementary school principal for nine years, during which time her school ranked among the top performing in the State of Michigan in writing and literacy. Ms. Srour started with Dearborn Public Schools in 1998.
Her role as interim officially starts on Dec. 5.
Smith staff named principal and assistant principals of the year
Smith Middle School in Dearborn learned on Oct. 20 that it has not one, but two Michigan Principals of the Year!
Mark Rummel was named Michigan Middle School Principal of the Year, and Maha Fayad was recognized as Michigan Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Michigan Association of Secondary Principals (MASSP). Smith Middle School is part of Dearborn Public Schools and has an enrollment of about 525 students.
MASSP representatives surprised Ms. Fayad and Mr. Rummel by visiting the school to make the announcement on Thursday afternoon.
District service helps connect students and families to mental health providers
Students, staff and their families who may be struggling with mental health, substance misuse or social-emotional issues now have another resource to find help.
Dearborn Public Schools has contracted with Care Solace to help those in need connect with local counselors and other resources.
Care Solace can help people quickly find treatment options matched to their needs regardless of the circumstance. The service is free and confidential, provided to students, staff, and their families by Dearborn Public School District. Care Solace’s team is available around the clock every day of the year and can support clients in any language.
Those in need of services can call 888-515-0595.
Upcoming Events
Our Impact in Numbers…
19,347
Students
1426
Instructors
37
District Buildings
100%
Committed to Student Success
Shaping Dearborn’s Future Since 1944
The Dearborn Public School District is rich in history and deeply rooted in the community we serve. For generations, our schools have been places where students grow, families connect, and learning thrives. We take pride in our beautiful, historic buildings, but it’s not just our facilities that make us special—it’s the people inside them. Our dedicated staff, welcoming families, and diverse student body create a safe, nurturing environment where every child is encouraged to succeed.
At Dearborn Public Schools, we honor our past while continuously evolving to meet the needs of tomorrow’s learners.
Students First – Inspire, Educate, Celebrate
Voices of Dearborn Schools
A Place to Belong,
A Place to Grow
“The Dearborn Public Schools community is truly family. I see it in the friendships I’ve made with my colleagues—grademates, principals, assistant principals—who are more than coworkers, they’re my friends. We’ve been through so much together. I love being here at Maples. It’s also in the kids who come back to visit, and in seeing where they are now—parents, authors, pharmacists. That’s what success looks like. The most rewarding part of my job is knowing school is a fun, safe place for them to be. I remember how I felt in my 4th grade class at McDonald School—how much I loved being there. The way my teacher made me feel stuck with me, and I want to pass that on to every student I teach.”
Stronger Together: Families, Schools, Community
“I’ve never experienced a school with such a tight-knit community. Here, everyone knows everyone—whether it’s through family, friends, or neighbors. I’ll be walking down the hall and hear someone mention their cousin or neighbor in another classroom. That sense of connection is truly special. Sometimes, I even know the families before I meet their children. The strong community bonds are, without a doubt, the best part of this job.”
From Student to Teacher: A Journey of Dearborn Pride
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing students grow—not just academically, but as people. Watching them mature and gain confidence is what makes teaching so meaningful to me. I’m a Dearborn guy—I grew up here, went to Fordson, and now I have the chance to give back to the same community that shaped me. What makes Dearborn special is our diversity. Our students come from so many backgrounds, and that variety of perspectives helps all of us think differently, solve problems creatively, and grow together. It’s a great place to teach, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Making a Difference, One Student at a Time
“The most rewarding part of being a teacher is knowing I’ve made a difference in a child’s life. I once worked with a young girl who had just arrived in the U.S. and was struggling with reading. By building her confidence and supporting her growth throughout the year, she not only reached grade level but also passed the state assessment. Moments like that remind me why I do this work. What truly sets Dearborn Public Schools apart is not just the diversity, but the dedication of our educators. We work hard to ensure every child succeeds, no matter their background.”
From Day One: Fostering a Sense of Belonging
“One of the things I cherish most about our school community is the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel like part of the family from day one. This welcoming environment begins with our administration and leadership team. A family atmosphere is created and nurtured regularly, and support is given whenever and wherever it is needed without strings. Creating a positive culture within the building benefits the staff and most importantly, the students.”
ParentSquare District Posts
Join Us on ParentSquare
Dearborn Schools is now using ParentSquare as our official communication tool! Parents and staff, please download the app and find all of your communication, forms, and more in one place. See the ParentSquare page for more information.
Get Our Newsletter!
Subscribe to the district newsletter to keep up on the latest district news and to hear about all of the great things happening in Dearborn Public Schools. (Parents, you are already subscribed.)
Meet our Superintendent
Dr. Maleyko has successfully completed 10 years as the Superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools with almost 20,000 students and 2,700 employees.
During his tenure, graduation rates in Dearborn have climbed to 95 percent district-wide and student college admission rates are 80 percent, well above the state average.
New to the district?
We’re glad you’re here and excited to welcome you to Dearborn Public Schools. As a new parent, you likely have a few questions—we’re here to help. Our goal is to connect you with the right people so you can enroll your child and become a valued part of our learning community.
Celebrating Excellence in Education, Recognized Nationwide
Blue Ribbon Schools
Dearborn Public Schools is nationally recognized for the strength of its programs—and, most importantly, for the success of its students. Our district and individual schools regularly receive honors from both state and national organizations (see our news section for the latest awards). Among these achievements, we are especially proud that five of our schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.
Policy & Mandates
- Student Acceptable Use Guidelines
- Staff Acceptable Use Guidelines
- Strategic Plan 2024-2026
- Title IX Notice of Non-Discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities
- District Policy and Guidelines
- 504 Plans – Students with Disabilities Information
- FOIA Procedures and Guidelines
- Teacher Evaluation Model
- Superintendent Evaluation Process
- Adult Education Observation Model
