The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is proud to announce the groundbreaking event for the new Southeastern Career Technical Education (CTE) Annex. The ceremony, held Monday, May 13, 2024, marks the beginning of construction for this innovative facility, which is set to open in the Fall of 2025. The annex will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for students pursuing careers in Advanced Manufacturing, providing them with the resources and training necessary to excel in high-demand industries.

The Southeastern CTE Annex is part of the District's comprehensive Facilities Master Plan (FMP), a blueprint for the future of DPSCD school facilities. The FMP, which consists of five new builds and five building reactivations, is made possible by the Board of Education's approval of $700 million toward facility master planning in 2022. The Southeastern Annex will be the first building constructed as part of this ambitious plan.

DPSCD's partnership with Stellantis has been instrumental in supporting students' career readiness at Southeastern. Through mentoring, speaking engagements, and summer internships, Stellantis has provided valuable opportunities for students as part of the High School Reform plan.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of DPSCD, emphasized the district's commitment to narrowing the opportunity gap and providing students with the education they need to compete in the global economy.

"When I became superintendent and the board was empowered for the first time in two decades, we had an enrollment of about 160 students at this school. Today, we have 640 students at Southeastern," said Dr. Vitti. "We don't have a talent gap; we have an opportunity gap in the city at large."

In an update around the plan Dr. Vitti said over the next five to seven years, 90% of DPSCD buildings will feature advanced HVAC systems with air conditioning and heating. The district also plans to open brand new schools at Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy, as at Carstens, Cody High School, and Pershing High School.

"These types of investments show our students and families that we care and that we are narrowing the gap of opportunity, providing students with the PreK-12 education they need to compete in this global economy," Dr. Vitti added.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Southeastern CTE Annex represents a significant milestone in DPSCD's ongoing efforts to provide students with cutting-edge facilities and resources. By investing in career and technical education, the district is ensuring that students have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow.

For more information about the Southeastern CTE Annex and the DPSCD Facilities Master Plan, please visit detroitk12.org/fmp.