2023 Best Districts with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Detroit Area

• Northville, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  53 reviews

Senior: Great district with a lot of great teachers and staff! I have loved being a part of the high school at Northville. I have found so many great students in my classes, the teachers are all very flexible and willing to help, and the administrators are very kind and always welcome everyone with a big smile. With going virtual in 2020, the whole school has really stepped up and provided many accommodations for students, as well as many resources for mental health, college preparation, and overall course rigor assistance. I have loved my time at Northville schools, and would highly recommend to anyone.... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 10

• Students 7,067

• Beverly Hills, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.15 out of 5  47 reviews

Senior: No matter what building you're in, BPS is a family. Both academic and social-emotional needs are met, and the district is fighting to improve their methods, and the student experience, everyday. Growth is encouraged, and staff and students alike are (more often than not) provided with the resources to accomplish that growth. It's a good community to have grown up in, and has fostered my own preference for community-oriented institutions and universities.... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 13

• Students 7,538

• Grosse Pointe, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  75 reviews

Parent: I am a product of the Grosse Pointe Public Schools having grown up and graduated from them myself. Now, my son has recently graduated (2020 Covid Grad!) and my daughter is currently in 4th grade. My son was a challenge and every opportunity was given to my kid. Sometimes I had to be the vocal advocate, but usually the school approached me with a solution. My daughter has been a relative breeze in comparison. And the school is just as responsive! The teachers, at all levels, are engaged, excited to teach. The teachers are always striving to learn more so they can share and do more for our kids! The community is incredibly engaged! Where else can you go and the most common topic of conversation between parents, students, and non-connected adults are speaking of the school system and how to make it better?! This amazing community and schools system is truly a jewel. I wish everyone could have the amazing experience that is this school system!... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 12

• Students 6,919

• West Bloomfield, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.35 out of 5  119 reviews

Senior: West Bloomfield is a lively community that offers many opportunities for student engagement. The high school has a wide variety of classes from business, art, science, politics, language, computers, engineering, architecture and many AP classes to help students learn of their interests as well as clubs, sports, after school events and more. Along with the opportunities, West Bloomfield has a very diverse group of peers of different cultures and religions. My school is known for its outstanding athletic department as well. There are many staff available to help students from college counselors, teachers, advisors, normal counselors and more.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 11

• Students 5,223

• Plymouth, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  200 reviews

Junior: Our campus gives students a large variety of courses to select from. Academically speaking, your experience varies depending on the teacher, I have found that most my teachers in Plymouth-Canton community schools understand how to teach students effectively, however there are a handful of teachers who lack motivation and desire to actually teach. At the end of the day all schools have at least a few incapable teachers, but this school also gives students phenomenal teachers who have inspired so much in me. In the past 3 years here I have had 2 teachers who created such a safe and easy environment to learn and the classes were on the more rigorous side which says even more about their teaching abilities. Though many teachers in the school expect above average amount of class work, making some past students tell that high school was the hardest they ever worked. Outside of school there are many extracurricular opportunities that can help students find their passions and interests.... Read 200 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 23

• Students 16,632

• Walled Lake, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  67 reviews

Parent: Low teacher turnaround rate which is a good sign. I assume the district admins must treat the teachers well if they are able to retain so many for so long. Our son's K teacher had been working in the district for 15-20 years which was a great sign for us. She was very experienced with handling a variety of kids from different backgrounds. The district is diverse and we enjoy the healthy hot lunch options offered. It was easy for me to volunteer weekly also. Very welcoming to parents. We are fairly new but love WLCSD!... Read 67 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 20

• Students 12,622

• Livonia, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  138 reviews

Junior: In Livonia Public Schools, or LPS, my time has varied depending on which school I was in. Grant Elementary was a phenomenal school in which I received incredible support from almost every single staff member. Cooper Upper Elementary was definitely a worse experience. The staff there was often great, but some were startlingly incompetent looking back, and downright awful and almost vengeful against young children a few times. Emerson Middle School was another school where I had brilliant teachers who I built really great relationships with, and Franklin has continued that experience.... Read 138 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 26

• Students 13,457

• South Lyon, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.98 out of 5  50 reviews

Alum: The school district needs to expand on class options. Introduce more AP classes or unique classes to spark interest in students. The food needs to be better. Those who cannot afford food and are being given the bare minimum, causing students to grab two or more lunches in order to not feel hungry an hour after lunch has ended. The teachers, academics, and clubs are wonderful!... Read 50 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 13

• Students 8,277

• Highland, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  43 reviews

Senior: My experience with Huron Valley schools has its ups and downs. I did not like my elementary school experience at all, as my teachers were not entirely helpful and I didn't make any good friends. However, middle school at WLMS was an outstanding experience, where I broke out of my shell a bit and was supported by many fantastic teachers. I really enjoyed going to school then, and met my friends that I still have now! High school also went well at Lakeland. I had even better teachers there and had a great time. If I had one complaint about Huron Valley, it would be the lack of updated technology and complex's. However, ironically, things should start to vastly improve now that they passed the bond proposal. Hopefully that will lead to better lunches, equipment, and teaching methods. Overall, I really did enjoy my time in Huron Valley, and will miss it once I go off to college.... Read 43 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 16

• Students 8,235

• Dearborn, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  76 reviews

Alum: Dearborn offered a safe and comfortable school for me when I attended classes at Fordson High school, sure things could have been better but in comparison to when I went to Detroit Public schools, Dearborn public schools where a breeze. The teachers and staff were all really nice and cared for the students as much as they could and can. Granted some of the staff were a bit off putting to the students from time to time, but everyone was doing there best to help everyone move along and succeed. I still go back as a college student to see old teachers when I need help with some of my college studies and they have been nothing but helpful.... Read 76 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 36

• Students 20,417

• Clawson, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Alum: Many teachers care about their student's success. Smaller school size accommodates smaller class sizes so that each student has the opportunity to ask questions and learn material thoroughly. Great sense of community.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,335

• Auburn Hills, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  24 reviews

Senior: Avondale School has distinct experiences and opportunities is EVERYTHING FOR ME. Our student’s diverse backgrounds, based on parent expectations, involvement, relationships, influences their suggestions. For example, when we are organizing a dance throughout our school’s program, we need all students, regardless of whether they are African-American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American to share their ideas so we can be sure to include diverse songs. My active involvement in the National Honor Society has also given me the ability to understand the importance of championing every kid. As president of our NHS chapter, I have had the distinct honor of working with a diverse group of students and appreciate different perspectives. We are a group that represents many cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We express anyone can lead. I WOULDN'T have chosen to go anywhere else, as I am graduating from the district in a few months and will never forget my amazing experiences in Avondale!... Read 24 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 9

• Students 3,745

• Saint Clair Shores, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.35 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: This year the teachers and new principal at Avalon Elementary in South Lake Schools have worked very hard to create a positive learning enviornment for all students. The theme of the school is AVALON ROCKS! Students strive to follow the Avalon expectations each and every day. Individual students and whole classrooms are recognized for being on task, kind, cooperative, repsonsible, respectful, and having self control. Individual learning for students is reinforced through walk to read, math stations, and special groups to support reinforcement and enrichment! The staff is kind, loving, and supportive of students. It is a great school community to be a part of.... Read 37 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,536

• Belleville, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: Somethings the I liked about Vanburen Public schools is that they had great programs. For an example I was apart of the Marching Band and it was awesome! The whole community supported the Marching Band, Friday nights the stand were filled!... Read 32 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,345

• Redford, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  20 reviews

Junior: My over experience with Thurston High School has been the best experience ever. I love it there. The teacher’s there are amazing, they really help you achieve your goals to succeed and also prepare you for college. I’m a junior/upcoming senior now and so far I just really love that school. All the friends that i made and some memories that I have at that school is really amazing. They are really welcoming and I’m proud to be a Thurston eagle... Read 20 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 7

• Students 3,162

• Westland, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  77 reviews

Junior: What I like the most about this school district is that there is a lot of inclusion and the teachers try their very best to help the students with what they need to do and achieve in high school. There are feild trips throughout your academic journey and a lot of help with prepping for SAT. There has also been more student involvements in decision making for how the environment should be at the high schools. During the pandemic, the district went to great lengths to ensure that every student has a computer to aid in online learning. What I hope will be improved is the food that is given at school. The food is sometimes refigerated for too long which causes it to taste differently or loose it's taste-making it hard to eat. I hope that the food given can be much fresher. All in all, I am glad to be part of such an excellent school district and also proud to be a John Glenn Rocket🚀!... Read 77 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 17

• Students 9,652

• Ypsilanti, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.54 out of 5  28 reviews

Alum: I attended Lincoln from kindergarten through graduation. I enjoyed the strong community environment. Every year I had at least one teacher who genuinely loved their job and displayed it in the efforts they put through to their students!... Read 28 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 5

• Students 3,571

• Roseville, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.36 out of 5  22 reviews

Junior: The Roseville Community School District is an amazing district! The staff there is amazing. This district tries their best to give students great opportunities to guarantee students success in the future. While the school district is phenomenal there are many ways in which it could improve. The first way In which the district could improve is by making sure parents are more involved in students academic careers. They could do that by catching parents up on grades, school clubs, and even sports. The last way in which this district could improve is by targeting professional development. The Roseville Community School District can take steps to ensure that professional development focuses on improved teaching and learning. This is an amazing school district, with great ways and opportunities for students to succeed in their academic careers.... Read 22 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 10

• Students 4,392

• Detroit, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  94 reviews

Junior: I've been with the school district ever since Pre-K and cant imagine myself anywhere else. Iv'e met so many people of all different kinds of backgrounds and great teachers who have inspire me to this day. The teachers and faculty go out of their way to help those in need no matter what and ensure that the students are prepared for the future. Safety in the DPSCSD should be the least of ones concern, there is always a safe space for every student of all background. Overall, my 11 year experience with DPSCSD has been excellent and I'd recommend (and highly encourage) parents to enroll their kids in such extraordinarily devoted school district!... Read 94 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 107

• Students 48,782

• Oak Park, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: I received weekly progress reports from my daughter teachers on the status of my daughter assignments. Also, the teachers are always available if I need to contact regarding my daughter schoolwork status. The only issue I have is that sometimes the the grade reports are not updated on time on the parents' portal website.... Read 21 reviews

• grade D minus

• Total schools 8

• Students 3,870

• Ecorse, MI•

• School District

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  13 reviews

Senior: Ecorse Public School is a satifactoring school good academic programs. We have C2 Pipeline from Wayne State which helps student for tutoring and college material. We also have a Tv/ Production class where students will learn how work and understand the concepts of filming and hands on with cameras. We have great sport teams like football, volleyball, track, basketball, baseball and much more. What I would like to see change is more students been enrolled into the school and our programs.... Read 13 reviews

• grade D minus

• Total schools 7

• Students 1,187