All applicants are required to submit a multi-paragraph essay, which will count as their official writing sample. The essay questions and scoring rubric have been updated for the 2025-26 admission cycle.

The essay is the applicant's opportunity to make a persuasive argument regarding their admission to an examination high school. The limit is 750 words, and the essay must be typed or pasted directly into the application. The following guiding questions should be answered in each applicant's essay:

1. Tell us about yourself. Who are you both in and outside of school?
2. Why do you want to attend an exam high school?
3. What skills, qualities, or strengths do you have that will help you succeed in an exam school? Give examples or experiences that show those qualities in action.
4. What are your future goals, and how will being admitted help you achieve those goals?
   
   

   Updated Essay Scoring Rubric for 2025-26

Essay Tips

• We recommend drafting the essay using a program like Microsoft Word, Google Docs or similar and saving it onto a flash drive or your hard drive until you're ready to submit it. When you're finalizing your essay, you can copy and paste it into the application form. You may also type the essay directly into the application.
• Measure your essay while drafting to ensure you do not exceed the 750-word limit.
• Read and re-read your essay, then have someone proofread it for you. Be sure it is grammatically correct and written in a formal tone.
• Be sure to answer the guiding questions. 
• Don't be shy. Talk about your accomplishments and talents.

The applicant's grade point average (GPA) is a critical part of the application. It is worth up to 35% of the total score. 

The GPA itself is worth a maximum of 30 points, with an additional 5 points for applications that contain a clearly visible cumulative GPA or multiple report cards that may be used to calculate a cumulative GPA. Both must be submitted by the deadline. Documents submitted after the deadline will not receive the bonus 5 points. Applications that are updated after the deadline will not be eligible for the bonus points.  

Submission Requirements 

Applicants who currently attend an Out of District school will be required to submit a Cumulative Grade Point Average. 

The submission uploaded to the application must clearly show the student's name, student's grade level, school name and address, and all courses with the grades earned. Cut off or partial documents will not be accepted. The document must include the student's 6th and 7th grades earned. The student may submit the most recently received 8th grade report card. 

A transcript that clearly shows your Cumulative Grade Point Average
OR  
Year-end report cards from the 2 most recent consecutive school years: 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Note: If the report cards or transcript do not show your Cumulative Grade Point Average, one will be calculated for you using the report cards submitted. The GPA calculation will be based on Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies grades only. Partially complete report cards or transcripts will earn a commensurate proportion of the available GPA points if the report cards have a cumulative GPA. The documents submitted in the application should clearly show the student's name, school, and grade level.

Acceptable Documents

• Transcript
• Year-end report card
• SIS screenshot of the historical grades that clearly shows the student's name, student's grade level, school name and address, and all courses with the grades earned
• Homeschool transcript 

Unacceptable Documents

• Progress Report
• Grades from 3 years or longer
• Blurry or cut-off documents

Applicants' grade point average (GPA) is a critical part of the application. It is worth up to 35% of the total score. 

The GPA itself is worth a maximum of 30 points, with an additional 5 points for applications that contain a clearly visible cumulative GPA or multiple report cards that may be used to calculate a cumulative GPA. 

Current 8th grade students enrolled in DPSCD who have attended continuously for 6th and 7th grade will automatically receive the 5 GPA bonus points.

Students who have not continuously attended during 6th and 7th grades will be required to upload academic records for any period they were not enrolled in a DPSCD school. Applications may receive the 5 GPA bonus points if complete records are provided by the application deadline.

Submission Requirements

Applicants who currently attend a DPSCD school and have continuously attended school in DPSCD for at least 2 years will be required to enter their DPSCD Student ID. This is the number you use to log into Clever and other learning tools. You can find your ID number on your report card and in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The Student ID number will be used to access student academic transcripts and GPA. Transcripts do not need to be uploaded to the application for a student’s DPSCD academic record. 

If you recently transferred to DPSCD and attended a DPSCD school for less than 2 full school years, please submit a transcript or report card for the years you did not attend a DPSCD school. Please refer to the submission requirements under the 8th Grade Non-DPSCD student's section.  

Each applicant must provide three references who may be contacted on behalf of the applicant. Applicants may use anyone other than an immediate family member as a reference (e.g. mentor, teacher, principal, coach, etc.) Parents/guardians and close relatives are prohibited from serving as references. A reference letter is not required. The following information must be provided as part of the application: 

• Name 
• Phone 
• Email address 
• Relationship to the applicant 

Students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEP), 504 Plan, or Non-Public Service Plans (for applicants who currently attend a private school) must upload their IEP, 504 Plan, or Non-Public Service Plan as part of their application. Please be sure to submit the complete document. Students whose IEPs/504/NPSPs identify accommodations will be given the appropriate accommodations identified.

Submission Requirements

• The document must be submitted in PDF format.
• The complete IEP, 504 Plan, or Non-Public Service Plan must be uploaded to the application. Partial documents will not be accepted.
• Please do not upload screenshots or photos of documents. 
• IEPs must have a district representative's signature 
• Clearly show the student's name, student's grade level, school name, and address

English Language Learners — Some students may also be eligible for accommodations. WIDA test results and other information will be requested in the application to determine eligibility.

Current Detroit Public Schools Community District students will receive 10 additional points on their application. Students who submit their cumulative GPA or documents that allow us to calculate a GPA by the deadline will receive 5 additional GPA points on their application. 

Students who apply to The School at Marygrove will receive priority if they live within the school’s catchman area. Students who live within 1 mile of the Marygrove campus will receive 10 additional points (Primary Area), while those who live within 2 miles will receive an additional 5 points on their application (Secondary Area). The Primary Catchment Aera is one-mile radius from the campus, bounded by 7 mile to the north, Parkside St to the east, Fenkell St to the south and Appoline St to the west. The Secondary Catchment Aera is a two-mile radius from the campus, bounded by 8 mile to the north, Schoolcraft St to the south, and Marlowe St to the west. Please see the Marygrove catchment map below for more detail.