Press Release #36/April 5, 2024
Dearborn Public Schools Virtual K-12 is now taking out-of-district enrollment and in-district transfers for fall.
Virtual K-12 is an online school for students who live in Wayne County. Classes are generally taught live by Dearborn Public School teachers and follow the district’s curriculum and calendar.
Students and families already enrolled in Dearborn Public Schools who want to transfer into or out of Virtual K-12 must do so by May 10, 2024 for the 2024-25 school year. Students who transfer into the program are committing to staying in Virtual K-12 for the entire school year.
Virtual K-12 also accepts students who live outside of Dearborn Public Schools but still in Wayne County. Parents should be aware that they will need to periodically pick up school supplies in Dearborn and that students will occasionally have to come in for required in-person state testing.
Parents can learn more about the school and about online learning on the Virtual K-12 website. Interested families can also check out the one-minute Virtual K-12 video.
Those interested in attending Virtual K-12 next year should complete the transfer form on the school website. For students not currently enrolled in the district, parents can visit the district’s enrollment website, www.dearbornschools.org/enroll to start the enrollment process or use the interest form on the Virtual K-12 website to get more information.
Virtual K-12 will hold a Kindergarten Roundup via Zoom on April 17 at 5 p.m. Middle school orientation on Zoom is set for May 1 at 6 p.m., and high school orientation via Zoom is the next night, May 2 also at 6 p.m.
Dearborn Public Schools launched VK-12 in 2021. The new virtual school gave families another option if they did not want to return to in-person learning as schools reopened full time as the pandemic waned.
About 500 students from kindergarten through high school attend VK-12. The program follows Dearborn Public Schools curriculum and for most students is taught live by district teachers every day. All grade levels have the opportunity to participate in after school clubs, which are also held online.
All students are taught by Dearborn Public Schools staff. Classes are remote, and students are on Zoom for each class. To meet career interests and graduation requirements, high school students in 11th and 12 grades may choose some classes with recorded lessons taught by out-of-district staff. This provides students a greater variety of course options. Students will earn a diploma from Dearborn Public Schools and must meet the same graduation requirements as other district students. High school students who qualify can also participate in dual enrollment and the free Henry Ford Collegiate Academy. Both programs allow students to take classes at Henry Ford College at no cost to the family. Academy students can attend an extra year of high school+college and earn an associate’s degree. Henry Ford College classes may require in-person attendance.
“We started Dearborn Public Schools Virtual K-12 to make sure our Dearborn students had the same opportunity for a high-quality education, even if families felt like online learning was the best fit for them,” said Superintendent Glenn Maleyko. “We have since opened our digital doors to allow other area students to participate, which also helps keep Virtual K-12 strong and vibrant.”