Dearborn Student Develops Searchable 'School Finder' Database

A request for a new tool for residents of the Dearborn Public Schools district yielded a learning opportunity for one budding technology whiz, the district announced Monday at their Board of Education meeting.

Dearborn High and Michael Berry Career Center student Ali Isayli has spent part of his senior year developing an online program that allows residents to easily find out which schools their children will attend, based on their address.

"I was approached by Dearborn Public Schools to do this project, and I was glad to take it," Isayli said to the board Monday.

Technology Director for the district Troy Patterson commended Isayli's hard work.

"We thought this would be a great opportunity for a student," he told the board. "It's very clean, and we're very happy with the work that Ali has put forth."

Using the database, a resident needs only to enter their address to see which elementary, middle and high schools they fall within the boundaries of. It answers a question many parents have, and may even have use beyond that.

"I think it would also be useful to realtors," commented board President Pamela Adams.

Superintendent Brian Whiston commented that the program took longer than had been hoped to implemented, but it was worth it to avoid paying an outside programmer to do it and instead "being able to make this a real-life program for a student and staff to work on."

Residents are encouraged to try out the application, which can be found here on the district website, and report any errors or issues they run into so that the district can improve upon the tool.

Meanwhile, Isayli now has a big project to add to his resume as he applies to attend the University of Michigan-Dearborn this fall.