Michael Berry Career Center students work in the computer graphics lab. A March 4 open house at MBCC will include several programs Dearborn Public Schools offers for high school students, including the vocational and technical classes at the center.
DEARBORN — High school and middle school parents are invited to an open house from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at Michael Berry Career Center to explore the district’s many special high school programs.
MBCC houses or oversees several career and technical programs for students including culinary, construction, business, criminal justice, computer programing, medical careers, digital design, education, and welding. Automotive technician courses are also offered at all three high schools.
Students and families can learn more about what is offered and specifics for each program.
The open house, though, will also provide information on other high school programs offered in the district. For example, the district now offers three Henry Ford Early College programs – one each for medical, education and manufacturing.
Manufacturing covers careers ranging from HVAC to welding to maintaining and programing manufacturing robots.
All three programs are housed on the Henry Ford College campus, with transportation provided from the student’s home high school in Dearborn. All three allow students to attend for five years and earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree at no cost to the family. The medical and education programs also accept students from outside the district, but those students need to have their own transportation.
Similarly, the district offers the Henry Ford Collegiate Academy; however, those students attend two years at their home high schools – Fordson, Dearborn or Edsel Ford. Then if they score well enough on their 10th grade PSAT, they are invited to participate in the academy and start taking college courses.
Students would again attend for a total of five years to graduate and get their associate’s degree.
In all four of the five-year programs, Dearborn Public Schools students are eligible to participate in activities at their home high school, including sports and clubs, through 12th grade. The programs differ in degree options, school environment, transportation, and more.
The open house is an opportunity for students and parents to get more specific details to find the best fit for the student.
The open house will also have information about the Dearborn Center for Math, Science and Technology, a selective program for top performing students in the district. Those students attend half a day at the Dearborn Heights Campus, and half at their home high school with busing provided.
The selective Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Middle School also will be on hand to talk to students and families.
Representatives also will attend from HFC, Dearborn Magnet High School, Michigan Institute for Aviation Technology, Dearborn Adult and Community Education, and more.
The district hopes curious parents and students take this opportunity to explore what DPS has to offer. The early colleges and DCMST are accepting applications for next year’s ninth-grade class.