Clintondale Schools Secured $400,000 Grant for CTE
Students in grades 9-12 will benefit from an expanded advanced manufacturing and engineering program.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Clintondale Community Schools has received a $400,000 Michigan 61v CTE Expansion grant to bolster technical training. The funding will support a new advanced manufacturing and engineering program for students in grades 9 through 12 over the next three years.
Why it matters
This grant aims to increase student participation in career and technical education while aligning local high school curriculum with regional workforce needs. The investment is intended to better prepare graduates for high-demand technical careers in the area.
The district has secured a total of $1,285,600 across four separate 61v CTE Expansion grants to date. Previous district awards include $384,000 for cosmetology, $272,500 for digital technology, and $229,100 for middle school engineering initiatives.
The players
Clintondale Community Schools
A local public school district in Clinton Township that has prioritized technical and career-focused education through multiple state grant programs.
SME Prime
A Southfield-based organization that provides expertise, resources, and educational support to help schools develop advanced manufacturing training programs.
The details
The program will be developed in partnership with SME Prime, an organization based in Southfield that specializes in manufacturing education. Educators will integrate the new high school curriculum with existing career exploration pathways already established in the district middle schools, known as Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All.
Timeline
The grant program was announced on October 12, 2026.
The Home Front
The expansion follows a broader statewide trend of prioritizing career and technical education to bridge regional workforce gaps. Clintondale has actively utilized the Michigan 61v CTE Expansion grant program to build a specialized pipeline from middle school through high school graduation.
Families with students in grades 9-12 should consult with school guidance counselors to learn how the new manufacturing curriculum fits into existing graduation plans. Parents can also look for upcoming information nights regarding these new career exploration pathways.
The takeaway
The grant provides a three-year window for the district to build a robust technical training foundation for high school students. Interested families should keep an eye on school board newsletters for specific course enrollment windows and program milestones as the curriculum is integrated.
Further reading
For more information on local academic development, visit the Secondary Education page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Macomb Daily.
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