Howe Trainable Center and Montessori

Howe Trainable Center and Montessori is a small, unique public school in Dearborn Heights, MI, serving 247 students from Pre-K through 12th grade under the Dearborn City School District.

This school is truly a tale of two missions. On one hand, its Montessori program for elementary students is exceptionally strong. Test scores in the early grades are remarkably high, often beating both district and state averages by wide margins. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency reached 81% in a recent year, and science and social studies scores have consistently topped state averages by 20 points or more. This is a standout achievement, especially when compared to other alternative schools in the area like Advanced Technology Academy or Universal Academy, where proficiency rates often sit in the single digits or low twenties. On the other hand, the "Trainable Center" portion of the school serves students with significant cognitive impairments, many of whom stay until age 26 and are not on a traditional diploma track. This explains the school's 0% graduation rate and higher-than-average dropout rate—metrics that look alarming but reflect the school's specialized mission rather than a failure of its academic programs.

What makes Howe stand out is the extraordinary level of investment in its students. The school spends over $45,000 per pupil—more than triple what nearby schools like Star International Academy spend—and maintains a remarkably low student-teacher ratio of 8.4 to 1. This allows for deeply individualized attention, which likely drives the strong elementary results. However, chronic absenteeism is a persistent challenge, affecting nearly 38% of students, though this is lower than at similar specialized schools like Keeler School. For parents, Howe offers a rare combination: a highly effective Montessori education for younger children alongside intensive, well-funded support for students with significant disabilities—all in one building.