Student - Lauren, fifth-grade

Mother - Yvonne

The family moved here from Hawaii into a relative’s home for the 2006-07 school year. When they eventually settled into a home in the Chippewa Valley School district halfway through the school year, mom went to register Lauren in her new school and the treatment in the office was very impersonal.

"I felt like a number at the other school district; they were not very accommodating. I felt they had no concern for my child. The people at Higgins and East are so nice. Lauren is looking forward to going to MSE in the fall and her brother is looking forward to going to High School-North. I am willing to drive in spite of the gas prices."

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Students - Joseph, fourth-grade, and Shaun, third-grade (siblings)

Mother - Rachel

Joseph enrolled at Higgins as a kindergarten student.

"The L’Anse Creuse district has a higher achievement in academic excellence. They provide a much better education than New Haven. Higgins has an awesome staff. They have provided a much better personal touch with the boys and were very compliant in meeting Shaun’s needs (he had brain surgery during the 2006-07 school year)."

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Student - Zachery, first-grade student (and in the special education program)

Mother - Amanda

Zachery enrolled at Higgins as a kindergarten student. The family moved to Eastpointe at the end of the 2006-07 school year. Mom then enrolled him at Higgins as an external Schools of Choice student.

"I felt that Zachery would have a difficult time adjusting to another school. The East Detroit School District does not have a strong special education program. I also like the fact that Higgins has security cameras throughout the building."