Much of the focus on improving K-12 education centers on reforming Michigan’s public school system. This makes a lot of sense given that 93 percent of students in Michigan attend traditional public schools or charter schools. Private schools, however, should not be entirely left out of these discussions, and policymakers should consider the role private schools may have in helping improve educational opportunities for Michigan residents. The first step in that process is understanding the current state of private schools in Michigan, and this report is intended to serve as a means to that end.
This report hopes to provide valuable information for anyone interested in learning more about the makeup, characteristics and potential of Michigan’s private schools. While enrollment in these schools has been on the decline, they still serve a meaningful number of Michigan students and they have the potential to serve many more. Private schools in Michigan are a relatively diverse group of institutions that provide parents a broader range of educational opportunities for their children.