Edsel Ford High School

Edsel Ford High School is a large, comprehensive public high school in Dearborn, MI, serving 1,502 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Dearborn City School District. The school's most defining characteristic is its exceptional student retention: a 97.9% graduation rate and a 0.8% dropout rate, both dramatically better than state averages (84.0% and 7.1%, respectively). This means nearly every student who starts at Edsel Ford stays through to graduation—a remarkable feat for a school where nearly 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school has maintained graduation rates above 95% for five consecutive years, suggesting strong institutional systems and a committed staff that prioritizes keeping students on track.

Academically, Edsel Ford sits in the lower-middle tier of Michigan high schools, with a current state ranking in the 33rd percentile (2 stars). The most significant academic challenge is math proficiency—only 16.4% of 11th graders are proficient on the SAT, compared to 26.5% statewide, and this gap has persisted for four years. Chronic absenteeism affects 28.6% of students, slightly above the state average and notably higher than nearby Dearborn High School's 21.7%. However, the school shows a notable strength with its African American students, who ranked in the 65th-79th percentile statewide in recent years—a significant outlier compared to the school's overall performance. Conversely, English Language Learner students rank in the 13th percentile, representing a critical area of need given Dearborn's significant immigrant population.

Compared to Dearborn High School, just 1.9 miles away, Edsel Ford trails in nearly every academic metric—Dearborn High ranks in the 57th percentile and shows stronger SAT reading and social studies proficiency. Yet Edsel Ford actually has a slightly higher graduation rate (97.9% vs. 96.2%). The district's specialized Henry Ford Early College programs achieve proficiency rates 2-3 times higher while serving similar socioeconomic populations, raising questions about whether Edsel Ford could adopt some of their structures—like smaller learning communities or career-focused pathways—to boost academic outcomes. At $18,531 per student, the school is adequately funded but not exceptionally resourced. For parents, Edsel Ford offers a stable, supportive environment that excels at ensuring students graduate, though families seeking rigorous academic preparation may want to explore the district's other options.