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, 2025. Board of Education President Adel Mozip and Executive Director of Special Populations Mike Esseily attended MCAN’s 14th annual conference to accept the award.
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.
“Dearborn Public Schools is the recipient of this award for its outstanding efforts in advancing a college-going culture and driving systems-level change within its community. … Dearborn’s high schools offer remarkable programming, strong AP and dual enrollment participation, and one of the state’s first Universal FAFSA graduation requirements,” MCAN said in a press release about the award. “Through these initiatives, Dearborn Public Schools continue to cultivate a strong, sustainable college-going culture and serve as a model for schools across Michigan.”
Fordson High School, in particular, was recognized as a School of Excellence for the College Cash Campaign, after 93 percent of students in the class of 2025 completed the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). In July, the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education approved a policy change making it a graduation requirement that students fill out the FAFSA or an opt out form.
Dearborn Public Schools has a 95 percent graduation rate and about 80 percent of students enroll in college within 12 months of graduation. The district’s three traditional high schools – Fordson, Edsel Ford and Dearborn High – all use an academy model that encourages students to explore different careers within a field they are interested in.
The district also boasts one of the highest dual enrollment rates in the state. Thanks to the strong partnership between the district and Henry Ford College, district high school students took 8,932 college classes during the 2024-25 school year.
Last year, the district also offered 23 Advanced Placement classes. Some 1,457 students took a total of 2,998 AP courses.
The three Henry Ford Early College programs saw 111 students (99 percent) graduate the five-year programs with an associate degree. (Learn more about the district’s high school options on the website.)
“We are incredibly proud and honored that Dearborn Public Schools has been selected to receive the Catalyst Award,” Superintendent Glenn Malyeko said. “It is an honor that truly recognizes the hard work and collective effort of our entire Dearborn Public Schools community. This achievement underscores our commitment to foster a robust college-going culture and drive meaningful, systems-level change across our schools. We are dedicated to supporting the Sixty by 30 program to ensure that every student, supported by their family and community, sees postsecondary planning as an expectation, not just an option, paving the way for a brighter future.”