Dearborn Expands Free Summer Program to Include Kindergarten Through Ninth Grade

Dearborn Public Schools will grow its Summer Discovery Program to serve students from kindergarten through ninth grade for 2026. The five-week program begins June 29 and continues through July 31, with no session on July 3.

This marks the third year for Summer Discovery, which now adds ninth grade to its lineup. Students currently in kindergarten through ninth grade can attend, plus current Young 5s students. Last year? 4,000 students participated.

The program receives funding through a nearly $8 million grant from the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the Ballmer Group. Sessions will offer math and literacy lessons that build on what students learned during the school year, plus enrichment activities and field trips.

"We are very grateful for this grant because it will allow us to again offer a great summer program to thousands of district students," said Interim Superintendent Lamis Srour, as shared by the source. "Instead of a summer slide academically, these students are going to have fun, educational experiences that strengthen their core skills."

Elementary and middle school sessions will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The core program runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for families not interested in breakfast, tutoring, or extended day enrichment.

Current eighth and ninth graders will attend a high school program from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. These students could earn high school credit through their participation.

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided to participating students. Parents must commit their children to attend at least 17 of the 24 program days.

A separate $100,000 grant from Wayne RESA will fund a summer program at Cotter School for current district preschool students. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the free Great Start Readiness Program preschool. This preschool summer program will run on the same dates as Summer Discovery.

Depending on enrollment, students from different buildings will be combined into another nearby location. Students who qualify for transportation during the school year can receive transportation to and from the summer program, per the source.

Parents can enroll their students through their child's school office no later than April 20, 2026. Students may register later but will only be accepted if space is still available.