DETROIT – In-person instruction has been put on hold for K-12 schools in Michigan since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit in March.
As COVID-19 cases increased at a rapid pace again in July and into August, school districts are deciding how -- and if -- they will resume in-person classes in the fall.
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The process for reopening schools amid the pandemic has been widely debated, and there is no one final ruling on how it should be handled -- however, we do know that the onus is on states and individual school districts to determine what the upcoming school year will look like.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidelines for reopening K-12 schools and child care programs, though the federal government initially disagreed with their suggestions before amendments were made in July. U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have been pushing for schools to reopen in the fall while health officials are worried that it may not be safe.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a Facebook post that she will “not send our kids and our education workforce into our schools unless it is safe to do so, plain and simple.”
Whitmer released her own guidelines on June 30 meant to help schools prepare for the upcoming academic year. The Return to School Roadmap requires all school districts to develop learning plans for the six coronavirus phases identified under the MI Safe Start Plan.
Most of the state is currently in “Phase 4″ of the plan, meaning that in-person instruction will be allowed but with a number of restrictions in place to ensure safety. Regions experiencing phases 1-3 of the plan cannot offer in-person learning at all. Regions experiencing phases 5-6 can also offer traditional in-person learning with fewer protocols in place.
All Michigan school districts are required to finalize plans for the academic year that follow state guidelines and have them approved by their board of education in August.
Most districts have not finalized reopening plans for their K-12 schools, but rather have shared some details on what students and families can expect in the fall. Below is a compiled list of some of the most populated school districts in Michigan and what they have shared about their reopening plans so far.
Note: This list is not comprehensive and will continue to grow and change as school districts announce or alter their plans for the upcoming school year. Some districts identified below may have privately announced fall plans without publicly sharing that information online.
Allen Park Public Schools
Allen Park Public Schools will be offering virtual learning to start the school year.
“After great care and thoughtful consideration, we have determined that the best course of action is to utilize the delayed in person instruction and begin the school year with the remote learning component of our Return to School Plan for the start of the 2020-21 school year,” reads a statement from the district on Aug. 11. “In-person learning for the 2020-21 school year will temporarily begin in a remote learning environment, starting on Wednesday, September 2. Our vision is to transition back to in-person learning as conditions allow. We will continue to monitor health protocols and data around COVID-19 transmissions in our local area. At this time, we anticipate being in the remote environment through October 2.”
Visit Allen Park Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Anchor Bay School District
The Anchor Bay Board of Education met and voted on Aug. 11. They decided to offer two options for the fall of 2020. Parents will have an option of In-Person K-12 School or the Anchor Bay Virtual Academy – a 100% Remote Option, the district said.
Visit the Anchor Bay School District’s website here for the latest information.
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools have announced that the upcoming school year will begin entirely online.
District officials said in a meeting on July 22 that they do not feel it is safe to return to in-person learning in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic -- so a virtual learning option will be offered instead.
Officials said that students can expect to alternate between in-person and virtual learning when it becomes safe to do so.
Online classes are expected to begin by Sept. 8. The plan should be reviewed, and likely approved, by the board of education on July 29.
Visit Ann Arbor Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Armada Area Schools
Armada Area Schools will return to full-time, face-to-face instruction in the fall.
The district is also offering an online only learning option for students unwilling or unable to return to in-person learning in the fall.
Students must commit to their selection of in-person or online learning for at least an entire trimester. Students will have the opportunity to reassess their decision and/or switch to a different learning model at the end of each trimester, officials said.
Visit Armada Area Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Bay City School District
On Aug. 10, the Bay City Board of Education approved a full remote (online) start to the 2020-2021 school year. The beginning of the school year has been moved to September 1, 2020. The district said it would spend the next two weeks preparing students and staff for this transition.
Officials expect to announce a formal plan for the fall in late July or early August.
Visit the Bay City School District’s website here for more information.
Berkley School District
Berkley Schools will begin the school year online through at least October 30, 2020. The district says to visit the Return to School website for more details and FAQs.
Officials say that when it is time to transition to face-to-face instruction, students and families will be surveyed to determine if a remote learning option is still necessary. It does not appear that a remote learning option is currently available for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Visit the Berkley School District’s website here for more information.
Birmingham Public Schools
Birmingham Public Schools announced they will be starting the school year remotely.
The decision to continue online learning or to switch to in-person learning will be made on Nov. 1.
Visit Birmingham Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Bloomfield Hills Schools announced they are beginning the school year remotely out of caution starting Sep. 8.
The district is also offering online learning options for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Students in grades K-5 can enroll in the district’s “Bloomfield Virtual” online learning program for one semester or for the entire school year.
Official say middle and high school students will be enrolled in their selected courses, but can choose to continue with virtual instruction or attend in-person classes when the schools do reopen.
Visit Bloomfield Hill Schools’ website here for more information.
Brighton Area Schools
Brighton Area Schools district officials have decided to return to in-person classes. Students will go to in-person classes for four days a week, then do remote learning one day a week.
The district is also offering students an online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Brighton Area Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Cadillac Area Public Schools
Cadillac Area Public Schools will offer traditional in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 31.
The district detailed what school days will look like for elementary students here and for middle and high school students here amid the pandemic.
The district is also offering an online learning option for students for the entire school year.
Visit Cadillac Area Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Caledonia Community Schools
Caledonia Community Schools will begin the school year with a hybrid learning model.
Students will engage in face-to-face instruction in addition to virtual instruction.
The district is also offering an online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Caledonia Community Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Chippewa Valley Schools
Chippewa Valley Schools have decided to begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online amid the pandemic.
Officials say the district’s goal is to transition to in-person learning following a remote start. The district did not say when the transition would take place.
Students and families can also choose to register for a completely virtual learning option for the entire year, instead of transitioning to in-person learning at a later date. The deadline to register for or opt out of the Chippewa Valley Virtual Academy is Aug. 13.
Students who are not enrolled in the district’s virtual academy are automatically enrolled in the remote start option.
Officials say students enrolled in the remote start option can request a laptop from the district for at-home use. Students enrolled in the virtual academy already request a laptop during their enrollment process, officials said.
Visit Chippewa Valley Schools’ website here for more information.
Clarkston Community School District
The Clarkston Community School District is planning to begin the school year entirely online.
All students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 will begin the 2020-21 school year with virtual only instruction.
The district is also offering an online-only learning option for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Visit Clarkston Community School District’s website here for more information.
Clawson Public Schools
Clawson Public Schools will begin entirely online in the fall due to the pandemic.
Classes will begin virtually on Aug. 31 for all K-12 students. Students are expected to transition to in-person learning at different points in October depending on their grade level.
The district is also offering a 100% virtual learning option for the school year.
Visit Clawson Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Clintondale Community Schools
Clintondale Community Schools will offer full-time, in-person learning in the fall amid the pandemic.
The plan, announced Aug. 12, states that face-to-face instruction will consist of “appropriate scheduling modifications to address health requirements.”
The district is also offering a fully virtual learning option for students for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Clintondale Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Davison Community Schools
Davison Community Schools say they are pushing back the start of the 2020-21 school year until after Labor Day.
It is unclear if the district intends to begin the school year entirely online or with face-to-face instruction.
“Our intention is for all students to begin school on Tuesday, September 8, for face-to-face and/or online learning,” reads a statement from the district.
The district is also offering an online-only learning option for the school year.
Visit Davison Community Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Dearborn Heights School District #7
The Dearborn Heights School District is planning to resume full-time, in-person instruction in the fall.
Students can instead enroll in an online-only learning model for the 2020-21 school year. Parents should fill out the district’s “learning choice change form.”
Visit Dearborn Heights School District #7′s website here for the latest information.
Dearborn Public Schools
Dearborn Public Schools have decided to begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online.
All K-12 students will begin classes virtually on Aug. 31 until at least the first week of October.
A fully virtual learning option is also available to students for the entire school year.
The district said the first week of school will be four half days to give teachers time for additional professional development, especially for new online teaching tools. Because of that change, the district is eliminating the late start days in September, October and December.
While students are learning online, the school day hours will be shifted a little later to better serve our students.
Visit Dearborn Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Detroit Public Schools Community District has released a Board of Education-approved plan for the upcoming school year.
The district has prepared for in-person, online and hybrid learning options for the fall. Learning options will be implemented based upon the region’s coronavirus “phase” at the time of reopening.
Officials say classrooms will have a maximum capacity of 20 students per class.
The district will offer a full-time virtual option for any students interested. Officials expect a large percentage of registered students will elect to participate in the virtual learning program in the fall.
Visit Detroit Public Schools Community District’s website here to review the full plan.
Eastpointe Community Schools
Eastpointe Community Schools will begin the school year with a hybrid learning model consisting of both in-person and virtual instruction.
Students will begin classes on Sept. 8 and will alternate between days of face-to-face instruction and remote instruction.
The district is also offering a separate, entirely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Eastpointe Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Farmington Public Schools
Farmington Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online.
The district says virtual instruction will last for all K-12 students until at least Oct. 30.
Visit Farmington Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Ferndale Public Schools
Ferndale Public Schools have decided to begin the school year entirely online this fall.
Officials say the district plans to return to face-to-face instruction “as soon as it is feasible.” Students will have limited opportunities to receive in-person support while learning virtually Monday through Thursday, officials said.
Visit Ferndale Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Fitzgerald Public Schools (Warren)
Fitzgerald Public Schools are offering both virtual and in-person learning options for the fall, depending on the student’s grade level.
Students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 5 must decide between an in-person learning option or an online-only learning option. Officials say a combination of both learning options is not allowed.
Students in grade 6-12 will begin the school year entirely online.
The district says its goal is to return to face-to-face instruction for all students.
Visit Fitzgerald Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Flint Community Schools
Flint Community Schools plan to offer in-person learning in the fall.
The district says it will return with virtual instruction on Wednesday, Aug. 5, with in-person instruction beginning on Monday, Sept. 14 for the 2020-21.
Visit Flint Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Forest Hills Public Schools
Forest Hills Public Schools will begin the school year with a hybrid of in-person and online instruction in the fall.
All K-12 students can expect to engage in both virtual and face-to-face instruction in the fall, if the state remains in phase 4 of the pandemic.
The district is also offering an entirely virtual learning option for students for the entire year.
Visit Forest Hills Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Fraser Public Schools
Fraser Public Schools will offer a virtual learning option for K-12 students in addition to traditional in-person classes in the fall.
Officials say middle and high school students will be able to participate in hybrid courses. Elementary students that select the virtual learning option may need to visit the school in-person on occasion for support.
Students who select the virtual learning option will still be able to participate in school activities and athletics.
Visit Fraser Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Garden City Public Schools
Garden City Public Schools have decided to begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online amid the pandemic.
Officials say the district will continue to develop plans for in-person learning during the fall. It is unclear whether the district intends to transition to in-person learning in the fall.
Visit Garden City Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Gibraltar School District
The Gibraltar School District is offering a hybrid learning option and an entirely virtual learning option in the fall.
The hybrid learning option will consist of face-to-face instruction on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and remote learning on Wednesday. Schools will undergo “deep cleaning” on Wednesdays.
Students can also choose to enroll in an online only learning model for the entire school year.
View the fall plan announced on Aug. 7 here.
Visit Gibraltar School District’s website here for the latest information.
Grand Blanc Community Schools
Grand Blanc Community Schools have decided to begin the school year entirely online amid the pandemic.
Classes will begin remotely on Sept. 8 for all K-12 students. Officials say in-person learning has been “postponed” for the school year, so it does not appear that students will be transitioning back to face-to-face instruction at any point in the fall.
The district is also offering a separate virtual learning option for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Students are expected to pick between the remote start learning option and the fully virtual learning option ahead of the school year.
Visit Grand Blanc Community Schools’ website here for more the latest.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Grand Haven Area Public Schools will offer in-person learning in addition to a separate virtual learning option in the fall.
Classes will begin on Sept. 8 for all students.
The district is also offering a fully virtual learning option for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Visit Grand Haven Area Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Grand Ledge Public Schools
Grand Ledge Public Schools will begin the school year entirely online in the fall.
Classes for K-12 students will begin on Sept. 8 under the district’s “offsite distance learning plan” through the end of the first trimester on Dec. 4.
The district says it will not offer face-to-face instruction before Dec. 4.
Visit Grand Ledge Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online.
Classes will begin virtually on Aug. 25 for all K-12 students.
Officials say the remote start will last until at least through the end of the first marking period on Oct. 21. The district will then reassess possibilities for transitioning to face-to-face instruction or a hybrid learning model.
Visit Grand Rapids Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Grandville Public Schools
Grandville Public Schools will offer in-person instruction in the fall amid the pandemic.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 24.
The district is also offering a fully virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Grandville Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Grosse Pointe Public School System
Grosse Pointe Public Schools announced July 31 that the district will begin the school year completely online due to the pandemic.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.
Officials say when it is safe to do so, the district will transition to a hybrid learning option consisting of both in-person and virtual learning, or a completely in-person learning model. A version of in-person learning will be available to certain students in need soon after the school year begins, officials said.
Online classes will consist of both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Grosse Pointe Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Hamtramck Public Schools
Hamtramck Public Schools will offer virtual instruction in the fall amid the pandemic.
Visit Hamtramck Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Hartland Consolidated Schools
Hartland Consolidated Schools will return to full-time, in-person instruction in the fall amid the pandemic.
The district is also offering a separate online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Hartland Consolidated Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Hazel Park Schools
Hazel Park Schools will return to full-time, in-person learning this fall amid the pandemic.
The district is also offering an online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Hazel Park Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Holly Area Schools
Holly Area Schools will begin the 2020-21 online only in the fall.
Students are expected to learn remotely at least through Oct. 30, though the district hopes to transition to in-person learning sooner if conditions allow.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtually learning option for the school year.
Visit Holly Area Schools’ website here for more information.
Hudsonville Public School District
The Hudsonville Public School District will return to in-person learning in the fall.
The district is also offering a completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year. Click here to learn more about Eagle Virtual.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 24.
Visit the Hudsonville Public School District’s website here for the latest information.
Huron Valley Schools
Huron Valley Schools are executing different learning models for elementary, middle and high school students.
Students in junior kindergarten through grade 7 will begin the school year on Aug. 31 with a hybrid learning model consisting of both in-person and virtual instruction. Students will engage in remote instruction for three days and face-to-face instruction for two days each week.
Students in grades 8-12 will begin the school year entirely online on Aug. 31 and will transition to a “face-to-face hybrid schedule” on Sept. 4.
Students will be broken up into cohorts for hybrid learning options. Two cohorts will alternate between days of in-person instruction and remote instruction.
The district is also offering a fully online learning option for K-12 students. The deadline to enroll in the Huron Valley Virtual Academy was Aug. 12.
Visit Huron Valley Schools’ website here for more information.
Jackson Public Schools
Jackson Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year with a hybrid learning model.
The district’s superintendent said that students will be split into two cohorts, with one cohort attending face-to-face instruction on Monday and Tuesday and the other on Thursday and Friday.
Officials hope to return to full-time, in-person instruction at some point in the fall.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Jackson Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Jenison Public Schools
Jenison Public Schools are offering a mix of in-person and virtual learning options for the fall.
Students can choose between full-time, face-to-face learning, a fully virtual option or a mix of both.
Visit Jenison Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Kalamazoo Public Schools will begin the school year remotely in the fall.
All K-12 students will begin the 2020-21 school year virtually on Aug. 31.
The district plans to transition students to a hybrid model on Nov. 30 that would include both remote and face-to-face instruction. The district expects to resume full-time, in-person learning by March 15, 2021.
The district is also offering a 100% virtual learning option for the entire school year.
Visit Kalamazoo Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Kentwood Public Schools
Kentwood Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year online for two weeks.
Classes will begin virtually for all K-12 students on Aug. 24. On Sept. 8 students will transition to a hybrid learning model that consists of both face-to-face and remote instruction.
Visit Kentwood Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Lake Orion Community Schools
Lake Orion Community Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online amid the pandemic.
Classes will begin remotely on Sept. 8 for all K-12 students. The district says remote learning will extend through the end of the first marking period on Nov. 6.
If the district decides to transition to in-person learning following the first marking period, a 100% virtual learning option -- Dragon Virtual -- will launch for students who are unwilling or unable to attend face-to-face instruction.
The Dragon Virtual learning option is currently paused and all students will participate in the remote start learning option.
Visit Lake Orion Community Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Lake Shore Public Schools
Lake Shore Public Schools will offer full-time, in-person learning in the fall amid the pandemic.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire school year.
Visit Lake Shore Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Lakeview Public Schools
Lakeview Public Schools will begin the school year with a hybrid of both in-person and online learning.
Students will be split into two cohorts, alternating between days of face-to-face instruction and remote learning.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for students. Officials say parents must enroll their students in the virtual learning option by Aug. 21.
Visit Lakeview Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Lamphere Public Schools
Lamphere Public Schools will begin the school year entirely online in the fall.
Officials say all K-12 students will engage in remote learning through the first quarter, which ends on Oct. 30.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Lamphere Public Schools’ website here for more information.
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools will return to in-person learning in the fall amid the pandemic.
Officials say appropriate scheduling modifications will be made to address health requirements for face-to-face learning.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Classes are scheduled to start on Sept. 8.
Visit L’Anse Creuse Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Lansing Public School District
The Lansing Public School District will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Classes are scheduled to begin virtually on Aug. 31. All school sports have also been canceled until further notice.
The district hopes to transition to in-person learning by the end of the first marking period, which is the first week of November.
Visit the Lansing Public School District’s website here for more information.
Lapeer Community Schools
Lapeer Community Schools will offer full-time, in-person learning in the fall amid the pandemic.
An online only learning option is also available to students for the 2020-21 school year. Students opting for remote learning only are still eligible to participate in extracurricular activities.
View the district’s plan in its entirety here.
Visit Lapeer Community Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Lincoln Park Public Schools
Lincoln Park Public Schools will return to full-time, in-person learning in the fall.
Officials say social distancing measures will be encouraged wherever possible, but cannot guarantee the required six-feet of distance between all students and staff at all times while in the building. Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings at all times.
The district is also offering a separate, full-time online learning program to K-12 students in the fall. Interested families need to apply for the virtual learning program in advance.
Specific remote learning plans for K-5 students can be found here and plans for 6-12 students can be found here.
Visit Lincoln Park Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Livonia Public Schools
Livonia Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Students will begin the school year online and later transition to in-person instruction. Officials say the plans to transition will be determined while monitoring COVID-19 case data.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire school year.
Visit Livonia Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Marysville Public Schools
Marysville Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year online only in the fall.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 8. The district plans to transition students to in-person instruction by Nov. 9.
The district will also offer a separate, completely virtual learning option -- Vikings Online -- for students reluctant or unable to return to in-person learning in the fall.
Visit Marysville Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools
Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools will begin the upcoming school year entirely online, officials announced on July 20.
The district plans to offer a full-time virtual learning option, and possibly later return to in-person learning once the coronavirus pandemic is under control in the region. Officials say students will be supplied technology and guidance for online classes.
Teachers are currently developing plans for the virtual learning option. Officials say parents and guardians of students will be provided more information in the coming weeks.
Visit Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Midland Public Schools
Midland Public Schools are offering multiple options for students this fall.
Students can choose between traditional in-person learning five days a week, complete virtual instruction or a blend of both virtual and face-to-face learning.
Visit Midland Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Monroe Public Schools
Monroe Public Schools are offering multiple learning options for students and families this fall.
Students can choose between remote learning at home, “learning lab at school” or a completely virtual option.
Visit Monroe Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Mount Clemens Community Schools
Mount Clemens Community Schools have not yet announced a plan for the 2020-21 school year.
It appears that the district’s board of education is planned to meet on Aug. 13 and Aug. 19.
Visit Mount Clemens Community Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Northville Public Schools
Northville Public Schools will begin the school year entirely online, with plans to transition to in-person learning by the first week of October.
Classes are scheduled to start on Sept. 8 and are expected to transition from virtual to in-person instruction by Oct. 2, officials said.
All elementary, middle and high school classes will follow the Virtual Start model.
Elementary students will eventually transition back into full-time in-person learning Monday through Friday. Students will be broken up into cohorts that may consist of rotating teachers.
Middle and high school students will eventually transition into a hybrid model, in which students will rotate between in-person learning and virtual instruction every other day.
An fully-online learning option will also be available to students in the fall. Families are asked to identify which learning option their students prefer by Aug. 12.
Visit Northville Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Novi Community School District
The Novi Community School District will begin the 2020-21 school year with a hybrid learning model.
Classes will begin on Sept. 2 with a blend of both in-person and virtual instruction. Students will be split into two groups and will alternate between both modes of instruction.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the school year.
has not announced an official plan for the upcoming school year.
Visit the Novi Community School Districts’ website here for more information.
Oak Park Public Schools
Oak Park Public Schools will begin the school year entirely online in the fall.
All students will begin classes virtually on Aug. 31. Officials hope students can transition to full-time, face-to-face instruction sometime after Oct. 30.
The district will also offer a separate, 100% online learning option if students are able to transition back to in-person learning later in the school year. This option will be available to students unready or unable to engage in face-to-face instruction.
Visit Oak Park Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Okemos Public Schools
Okemos Public Schools are beginning the 2020-21 school year entirely online in the fall.
All K-12 students will engage in virtual learning through the end of the first quarter on Oct. 30.
Officials say the district will consider transitioning to in-person learning beyond that date depending on the status of the coronavirus pandemic. A transition would take about 2-3 weeks, officials said.
Visit Okemos Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Oxford Community Schools
Oxford Community Schools is returning to full-time, in-person learning in the fall.
The district is also offering a separate, 100% online learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Oxford Community Schools’ website here to learn more.
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools will begin entirely online in the fall amid the pandemic.
The district hopes to transition students to in-person learning by Oct. 4 or sooner.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire school year. Students enrolling in this learning option must commit to the option for at least a semester (middle and high school students) or trimester (elementary students).
Visit Plymouth-Canton Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Pontiac School District
Pontiac Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online in the fall.
Students will engage in remote learning through at least the end of the first quarter, which is Oct. 30.
Visit Portage Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Portage Public Schools
Portage Public Schools are offering both in-person and virtual learning options for elementary students, and a virtual learning option with opportunities for in-person support for middle and high school students this fall.
Families with students in young fives through fifth grade can choose between an in-person learning option and an online only learning option. Students who participate in the in-person learning model will attend school Monday through Thursday and engage in remote learning on Friday.
All middle and high school students will engage in virtual instruction. Live instruction will take place Monday through Thursday, and students will have the opportunity to independently work on Friday.
Middle and high school students will have the opportunity to be in the school building during virtual instruction for additional support Monday through Thursday.
Visit Portage Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Port Huron Area School District
The Port Huron Area School District will offer a hybrid learning option in the fall that consists of both in-person and virtual instruction.
Students will be split into groups and alternate between days of face-to-face and remote instruction.
The district is also offering a separate, 100% virtual learning option for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Visit the Port Huron Area School District’s website here for more information.
Redford Union Schools
The Redford Union Schools district voted on Aug. 10 to begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online due to the pandemic.
Officials say the district hopes to transition to in-person learning at some point during the school year.
In a Facebook post the district said all middle and high school students should expect to follow their scheduled classes. Elementary students will follow curriculum appropriate for their grade level, officials said.
The district is also offering a separate, 100% virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
The district has not yet updated their official plan on their website -- but you can still visit it here for some information.
Richmond Community Schools
Richmond Community Schools will return to full-time, in-person learning in the fall.
The district is also offering a virtual only learning option for students for the 2020-21 school year.
Officials provided examples of what a day of online learning would look like here, and what a day of in-person learning would look like here amid the pandemic.
Visit Richmond Community Schools’ website here for more information.
River Rouge Public Schools
River Rouge Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Officials say students will transition to a hybrid learning model or full-time face-to-face learning once it is safe to do so.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire school year.
Visit River Rouge Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Rochester Community Schools
The Rochester Community School District announced Aug. 5 that all students will begin the 2020-21 school year online due to the pandemic.
All classes will begin on Sept. 1. The district hopes to transition back to in-person learning by Oct. 1 -- if it is safe to do so, officials said.
The district is already offering an online-only learning option for students in the fall. Students enrolled in the RCS Virtual Campus program are also scheduled to begin on Sept. 1 and will continue their online learning as planned.
Students and families interested in the online-online learning option can choose to commit to the learning model by the semester (for grades 6-12), trimester (for grades K-5) or for the entire year.
Visit Rochester Community School’s website here for more information.
Rockford Public Schools
Rockford Public Schools will begin the school year remotely for three weeks before transitioning to in-person learning.
Students will begin classes virtually on Aug. 24 and will continue learning remotely through Sept. 11.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire school year for students unready or unable to participate in face-to-face instruction.
Visit Rockford Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Romeo Community Schools
Romeo Community Schools will offer a hybrid learning option in the fall.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Romeo Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Romulus Community Schools
Romulus Community Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Students will engage in virtual learning through the first quarter. Officials say a decision about transitioning to in-person learning will be made before the first quarter ends on Nov. 6.
The district is also offering a separate, fully online learning option for the entire school year.
Visit Romulus Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Roseville Community Schools
Roseville Community Schools voted on Aug. 31 to begin the school year online only amid the pandemic.
The district initially planned to resume full-time, in-person learning in the fall.
Classes will begin virtually on Sept. 8. Students who initially elected to participate in face-to-face instruction should expect to transition to in-person learning by Oct. 12.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Visit Roseville Community Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Royal Oak Schools
Royal Oak Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade may transition to in-person learning or a hybrid learning model after the first quarter, which ends on Nov. 6.
Classes are scheduled to start on Sept. 8.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the school year.
Visit Royal Oak Schools’ website here for more information.
Saginaw Public School District
Saginaw Public Schools will offer a hybrid learning model comprised of both in-person and virtual learning in the fall.
Students will be split into cohorts and alternate between days of face-to-face instruction and online instruction.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Saginaw Public School District’s website here for more information.
Saginaw Township Community Schools
Saginaw Township Community Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
All students will begin the school year virtually on Sept. 1. Officials say the hope is to begin transitioning to face-to-face instruction by Oct. 6, with students completely reintegrated into in-person instruction full time by Oct. 26.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the entire school year. Students enrolled in this option will also begin classes on Sept. 1.
Visit Saginaw Township Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Saline Area Schools
Saline Area Schools will begin the school year entirely online in the fall.
Classes will begin remotely for all K-12 students on Sept. 8 and will continue remotely through Sept. 25.
The district expects to transition to a hybrid learning model by Sept. 28 in which students will be split up into cohorts and alternate between days of in-person and online learning. Students are expected to return to face-to-face instruction full time by Oct. 12.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Saline Area Schools’ website here for more information.
South Lake Schools
South Lake Schools are offering multiple different learning models in the fall.
Elementary students can participate in full-time, in-person learning or a fully virtual learning option.
Middle and high school students will begin the school year with a hybrid learning model. Students will alternate between days of in-person learning and virtual learning.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.
Visit South Lake Schools’ website here for more information.
South Lyon Community Schools
South Lyon Community Schools will begin entirely online in the fall amid the pandemic.
All students will begin the school year virtually with expectations to transition to a hybrid learning model, and then to traditional in-person learning.
The district is also offering a separate, 100% online learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit South Lyon Community Schools’ website here for more information.
South Redford School District
The South Redford School District has not announced an official return-to-school plan.
Check the district website for the latest updates.
Southfield Public Schools
Dr. Jennifer Green, the head of Southfield Public Schools, said her community has been hit very hard by COVID-19, but she’s worried nearly half of her students don’t have the technology to learn from home.
UPDATE -- July 28, 2020: Southfield Public School District to start school year with remote learning only
She spoke in a detailed interview about her district’s plans for return with Local 4 -- watch here.
Visit Southfield Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Southgate Community School District
The Southgate Community School District has not shared plans for the upcoming school year.
Visit Southgate Community School District’s website here for the latest information.
Taylor School District
The Taylor School District will resume full-time, in-person learning in the fall amid the pandemic.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year. Students enrolling in the virtual learning option are required to commit to the learning model for at least one semester.
Visit Taylor School District’s website here for the latest information.
Traverse City Area Public Schools
Traverse City Area Public Schools will begin remotely in the fall amid the pandemic.
Classes will begin remotely on Sept. 8 and will continue remotely for two weeks only. Students are expected to transition back to in-person learning by Sept. 21.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit Traverse City Area Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Trenton Public Schools
Trenton Public Schools are offering hybrid and remote learning options in the fall.
Students in young fives through fifth grade can choose between online-only instruction or a hybrid of both in-person and virtual instruction.
Students in grades 6-12 will engage in online-only instruction.
Classes are scheduled to start on Sept. 8.
Officials say this plan is temporary and will be reviewed throughout August and September. The district hopes all students are transitioned to in-person learning by October.
The district is also offering a separate, 100% virtual learning option for the entire school year.
Visit Trenton Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Troy School District
The Troy School District will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online in the fall.
The district announced on Aug. 13 that students will engage in remote learning at the start of the school year for at least the first five weeks. Officials will reevaluate learning options offered after those five weeks have concluded.
The district hopes to transition to a hybrid learning model when it is safe to do so, which will consist of both in-person and remote learning.
The district will also offer a separate, virtual only learning option for students unable or unready to attend face-to-face instruction.
Visit the Troy School District’s website here for the latest information.
Utica Community Schools
Utica Community Schools will begin entirely online in the fall with plans to transition to in-person learning after October.
Officials say the virtual only instruction will last at least through the first card marking, which is scheduled to end on October 30.
Students and families can also choose an online only learning model for the entire year, without opting to transition to in-person learning later in the year.
Officials previously said laptops will be provided to all students in the fall.
Visit Utica Community Schools’ website here for more information.
Van Dyke Public Schools
Van Dyke Public Schools have decided to start the 2020-21 school year entirely online.
All K-12 students will begin the school year virtually on Aug. 31.
More detailed information is expected to be shared with students/families in the coming week. It is unclear if the district will transition to in-person learning in the fall following a virtual start.
Visit Van Dyke Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools district will begin the 2020-21 with remote learning only.
The district said the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at its special meeting to adopt the “WLCSD Return to Learn Plan.” The district will begin the 2020-21 school year online and conduct school with remote learning only until at least Friday, Oct. 30.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for students unready or unable to resume face-to-face learning.
Visit Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ website here for more information.
Warren Consolidated Schools
Warren Consolidated Schools district will start the year with virtual learning only. The school board voted 7-1 in favor of an all-virtual start during the board meeting on Aug. 19.
The Warren Education Association, which represents nearly 1,000 educators in the district, sent out a letter urging the district to suspend any plans of in-person learning to prioritize student and staff health. You can read the letter here.
Visit the school district’s website here.
Warren Woods Public Schools
Warren Woods Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Classes will begin remotely for all K-12 students on Aug. 31 and will continue remotely through Sept. 25.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the entire school year.
Families are asked to identify their students’ preferred learning option by Aug. 21.
Visit Warren Woods Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Waterford School District
The Waterford School District will begin remotely in the fall amid the pandemic.
Classis will begin remotely on Aug. 31 for all K-12 students. Officials say classes will continue remotely for 10 weeks, and the plan will be re-evaluated after five.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the entire school year.
Visit the Waterford School District’s website here for more information.
Wayne-Westland Community School District
Wayne-Westland Community Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely.
Students will learn remotely at least until Oct. 23, officials said.
The district is also offering a separate, virtual learning option for K-12 students for the entire school year.
Visit Wayne-Westland Community School District’s website here for the latest information.
West Bloomfield School District
The West Bloomfield School District has announced its official plans for the upcoming school year.
West Bloomfield High School students will all participate in a virtual learning program while the region is in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan. Officials say this is necessary due to the school’s large population size, as mitigating the spread of COVID-19 would be nearly impossible.
Elementary and middle school students will participate in a hybrid learning program, alternating between mornings and afternoons of in-person instruction and remote instruction. Students will be broken up into small cohorts of less than 20 students each. Some cohorts will engage in in-person learning in the mornings and the others will take the afternoons.
Officials say that if the region advances into Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan, all schools will return to traditional in-person learning five days a week.
The district is also offering a separate, completely virtual learning option for the 2020-21 school year.
Visit the West Bloomfield School District’s website here the latest information.
West Ottawa Public School District
The West Ottawa Public School District will return to full-time, in-person learning in the fall.
The district is also offering a completely virtual learning option for students unready or unable to return to face-to-face learning amid the pandemic.
Visit the West Ottawa Public School District’s website here for the latest information.
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
The Woodhaven-Brownstown School District is offering a remote learning option or a hybrid learning option for students in the fall.
The remote learning option will consist of virtual instruction with “blended” (in-person) learning opportunities for specific groups.
The hybrid learning option consists of both in-person learning and virtual learning. Hybrid classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.
Visit the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District’s website here for the latest information.
Wyandotte Public Schools
Wyandotte Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year remotely in the fall.
Classes will be held remotely through at least the end of September, officials said. The district hopes to welcome students back for face-to-face instruction after September.
The district is also offering a separate, online-only learning option for the school year.
Visit Wyandotte Public Schools’ website here for more information.
Zeeland Public Schools
Zeeland Public Schools will return to full-time, in-person learning in the fall.
The district is also offering a separate, 100% virtual learning option for the school year.
Visit Zeeland Public Schools’ website here for the latest information.
Note: Again, we understand this list is not comprehensive (there are hundreds of school districts in Michigan!), but we want to include as many districts as possible. If your or your child’s school district has announced a reopening plan and it is not shared above, please email the author with the information.
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