About the Lansing School District

The Lansing School District is a public school district serving PreK-12 in Lansing, MI. We serve over 11,000 students in 27 school buildings. Lansing, MI is a diverse community and our school district is reflective of the diverse cultures throughout the world.

The Lansing School District is unique in that we offer more exciting and innovative educational options for families than any school district in the greater Lansing area!

We offer Magnet school options in STEM, STEAM, Spanish Immersion/Global Studies and New Tech High.

We also offer a robust palette of specialty schools including Chinese immersion, Leadership, Law and Government, International Baccalaureate, Visual and Performing Arts and Montessori.

In addition to our Magnet and specialty schools, we have outstanding traditional school options for our families.

Strong partnerships are also an important and valuable asset with our district. We value our connections with Michigan State University, Emergent Biosolutions, Accident Fund Insurance and a long list of other committed partners that help bring a “real world” experience to our students.

We have highly qualified teachers, tremendous support staff, dedicated administrators, and a committed Board of Education. Former superintendent, Mr. Sam Sinicropi, started his career as a student of the Lansing School District many years ago, and worked as a custodian, teacher, principal, administrator, and finally  superintendent.

The Lansing School District believes in our mission, which is to provide educational excellence in a safe and nurturing environment for all students


History

The original organization of the Lansing School District came as a provision of the Lansing City Charter of 1861. But public schools had been built and were operational for more than a decade before the Lansing School District legally came into existence.

Old Union School courtesy of the Picture of Old Union School courtesy of the "Making of Modern Michigan Project" at Michigan State University

Dates of Interest

In early 1847, the first school building in the City of Lansing (formally City of Michigan) was erected on the banks of the Grand River.

On May 1, 1847, Mss Eliza Powell began teaching her class of 10 students for two dollars a week.

Between 1847 and 1851, three school districts were built in the three wards that Lansing was divided into.

The charter granted to the City of Lansing in March 1861 increased the number of wards from three to four and provided for the consolidation of the separate school districts into one all-inclusive district within the city limits.

The consolidation provided the roots of what we know as today’s Lansing School District.

11,500 Enrollment by 2025
85% Graduation Rate by 2025
90% Attendance by 2025