Welcome!
Detroit Public Schools Community District welcomes you to transfer between high schools for the January or Fall of 2026
You have selected the application to transfer between exam high schools. This application is open only to students who have attended an exam high school for at least one full school year by the end of the current school year. If you are not eligible, please complete the Application for Current High School Students.
Application Guidelines
- This application should be completed by a parent or guardian, using their email address. Do not apply using a school email account, as firewalls may block important communications regarding your application.
- You may save the application in progress and return to make as many changes as necessary prior to submitting it. Please review the application carefully before submitting.
- All deadlines are firm and final.
- Do not submit more than one application for the same student. Duplicate applications will be withdrawn.
- You may email exam.schools@detroitk12.org or use Submittable to send a message to the Admissions Team to request the opportunity to edit or update your application. Change requests must be received no later than November 14, and changes must be made prior to the November 16 application deadline.
Welcome!
Detroit Public Schools Community District welcomes you to apply for admission to its exam high schools for the 2026-27 school year. Please review the following instructions carefully before starting your application.
This application is for students who are currently in 8th grade and will enter 9th grade in Fall 2026. Incorrect applications will not be processed or receive a decision.
There are two other exam high school applications -- for students who attend a non-exam high school and students who already attend an exam high school and want to transfer to another exam high school.
Essay Question Update
The essay questions have been updated for the 2025-26 admission cycle. Please review the updated essay prompt carefully.
Application Guidelines
- This application must be completed by a parent or guardian, using their email address. Do not apply using a school email account or a student's personal email address. All communications will be sent to the email address used to create the account. You may update the email address in your account profile.
- Applicants are required to take the High School Placement Test for admission consideration. The application will not be complete without an exam score on file. We do not accept outside scores.
- You may save the application in progress and return to make as many changes as necessary prior to submitting it. Please review the application carefully before submitting.
- All deadlines are firm and final.
- Do not submit more than one application for the same student. Duplicate applications will be withdrawn. You may email exam.schools@detroitk12.org or use Submittable to send a message to the Admissions Team to request the opportunity to edit or update your application. Change requests must be received no later than November 12, and changes must be made prior to the November 16 application deadline.
Welcome!
Detroit Public Schools Community District invites you to apply for admission to its exam high schools for either a mid-year transfer in January 2026 or enrollment for the 2026–27 school year.
This application is open to students currently in grades 9–12. Successful applicants will begin attending in January 2026 (mid-year transfer) or in Fall 2026 at one of the following schools:
- Cass Technical High School
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School
- Renaissance High School
- Southeastern High School
- The School at Marygrove
There are two additional exam high school applications: one for current 8th grade students who will begin high school in Fall 2026, and another for students already enrolled in a DPSCD exam high school who wish to transfer to a different exam high school. Please make sure you complete the application that applies to your situation.
Application Guidelines
- This application must be completed by a parent or guardian, using their email address. Do not apply using a school email account or a student's personal email address. All communications will be sent to the email address used to create the account. You may update the email address in your account profile.
- Applicants are required to take the High School Placement Test for admission consideration. The application will not be complete without an exam score. Some applicants may qualify for a waiver if they took the HSPT in the 2025-26 admission cycle. Details are available in the application. We do not accept outside scores.
- You may save the application in progress and return to make as many changes as necessary prior to submitting it. Please review the application carefully before submitting.
- All deadlines are firm and final.
- Do not submit more than one application for the same student. Duplicate applications will be withdrawn. You may email exam.schools@detroitk12.org or use Submittable to send a message to the Admissions Team to request the opportunity to edit or update your application. Change requests must be received no later than November 12, and changes must be made prior to the November 16 application deadline.
- There is no appeal or petition process.
- If accepted, applicants will receive only one acceptance letter.
- Students are placed at the highest-ranked school on their application that extends an admission offer.
- Please note you may not be accepted to your highest-ranked school.