September 30, 2025

DETROIT - Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) celebrated a major milestone today with the official ribbon cutting of the Southeastern High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Annex, the District’s first completed new build under its Facility Master Plan (FMP). The event brought together students, educators, community leaders and project partners to mark the opening of a facility designed to transform educational opportunities for Detroit students for generations to come.

The Southeastern High School CTE Annex represents a bold step in the District’s commitment to excellence, providing students with modern learning environments that align with the demands of today’s workforce. The 11,000-square-foot facility includes an advanced welding lab, a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lab, and a collaborative space, offering hands-on experiences that prepare students for careers in high-demand industries such as advanced manufacturing and technology.

“The process of improving DPSCD has been far from easy, but opening our Southeastern annex for expanded student access to career technical education makes that process worthwhile,” said DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. “My excitement about its opening is multilayered because on the one hand this is yet another example of how the District continues to invest in neighborhood schools to level the playing field of educational opportunities in the City by placing career technical programming at the doorstep of students on the eastside and at the same time the completion of this project should continue to reassure the community that we will deliver on the thousands of facility projects embedded in our $700 million dollar Facility Master Plan investments.”

This ribbon cutting sets the tone for the District’s $700 million Facility Master Plan, which includes re-builds, five building additions, and hundreds of facility upgrades. The FMP is designed to modernize facilities, expand access to career and technical education programs and make long-term investments that benefit both students and Detroit neighborhoods.

"Detroit Public Schools Community District is rebuilding the district brick by brick, and this is the first of many ribbon cuttings to ensure our students have the best facilities and programs,” said Bishop, Corletta Vaughn, Ph.D., President, Detroit Public Schools Community District. “We know when we expose our students to real work experiences and prepare them for their future, we are making priceless investments in our future. This is indeed a cause for great celebration.

The Southeastern High School CTE Annex serves as a high-tech career hub where students will gain the skills and credentials necessary to compete for high-paying, sustainable jobs. These investments are aimed at ensuring that Detroit students are equipped for success in a rapidly evolving economy.

During the celebration, Southeastern High School Senior Class President Aniya Ellis shared her excitement about the new CTE Annex, emphasizing the opportunities it will provide her classmates and future students.

As the first completed new build under the FMP, the Southeastern High School CTE Annex is a blueprint for the future. By integrating modern technology, collaborative spaces and sustainable design, DPSCD is delivering safe, functional, and inspiring schools – Brick by Brick.

To learn more about DPSCD’s Facilities Master Plan, visit https://www.detroitk12.org/Page/17752