A Case for Walkability in the Grosse Pointe Public School System
Why Walkability Matters—Now More Than Ever
In neighborhoods like the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods, schools have always been more than institutions—they are anchors of community life. For generations, children walked to class on tree-lined streets while neighbors waved from porches, and families gathered on playgrounds after the final bell. That rhythm, that closeness, is part of what has made our communities so desirable for generations.
But recent decisions have interrupted that rhythm. The closure of Trombly Elementary disrupted not just a schedule - but a social fabric. This report builds a case for restoring that fabric by reopening Trombly and recommitting to walkable, neighborhood-based schooling.
It offers a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the benefits of walkability—ranging from academic achievement to healthier children to cleaner neighborhoods—while also responding thoughtfully to projected enrollment declines. By examining generational housing turnover, community sentiment, and national examples of high-performing walkable districts, this report demonstrates that walkability is not just a nostalgic preference but a strategic imperative.
Grosse Pointe Public Schools have always been a destination for families seeking excellence. Our responsibility now is to ensure that continues - by making decisions rooted in vision, stewardship, and long-term thinking. Pointers for Academic Excellence (PFAE) invites district leaders, neighbors, and decision-makers to consider this report not as a conclusion—but as a starting point for a better future.
High-Performing Walkable School Districts Nationwide
Research shows a positive link between walkability and school success. In Washington D.C., a study found that the highest-performing schools tend to be in the most walkable neighborhoods, whereas lower-performing schools are in the least walkable areas. This correlation likely reflects both socio-economic factors and the benefits of active commuting. Studies indicate children who walk or bike to school arrive more alert and ready to learn – they concentrate better in class. Additionally, communities that enable students to walk see broad gains in resource efficiency. For example, historically Lakewood, Ohio has never needed school buses because its schools are embedded in a dense, walkable city layout (A town where every child can walk to school - Strong Towns). As a result, most of Lakewood’s ~5,800 students walk to one of its neighborhood schools, saving significant transportation costs and reducing traffic. In Pennsylvania’s Allentown School District, where nearly all elementary and middle school students walk, taxpayers save a “ton of money” on busing – part of the $1.3 billion spent on school busing annually in that state (Cleveland Plain Dealer). Fewer buses and car drop-offs also mean less congestion: parent drop-offs account for 25% of morning traffic, so higher rates of walking and biking noticeably ease rush hour jams (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA).
Walkable schools also yield measurable environmental benefits. According to the Safe Routes to School Partnership, if just 25% of students living within two miles walked or biked instead of being driven, it would save an estimated 3.2 billion vehicle miles and 1.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually. That’s the equivalent of taking 250,000 cars off the road for a year. (Safe Routes Partnership, Benefits of Safe Routes to School, n.d.)
Further, walkable school districts often enjoy strong community support and student health benefits. When more students walk or bike, the streets see less wear and pollution, and kids get daily exercise. In fact, the decline in walking-to-school rates (from ~50% of kids in 1969 to only 13% today) has paralleled a 276% increase in childhood obesity (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA). Districts that emphasize walkability aim to reverse such trends.
Oakwood City Schools in Ohio and East Grand Rapids Public Schools here in Michigan illustrate how walkability and academic excellence often go hand-in-hand. Oakwood is a compact community where children routinely walk or bike to school – the district does not run buses (Get to Know Oakwood - City of Oakwood). Despite (or because of) this neighborhood-school model, Oakwood’s achievement is top-tier; Oakwood High was ranked 7th in Ohio and in the top 1.5% of U.S. high schools (OHS RANKED 7th IN STATE - Oakwood High School). Similarly, East Grand Rapids is an affluent, high-performing district (its high school is ranked #9 in Michigan (3 MI High Schools Make U.S. News 2024 'Best' Ranking | Across Michigan, MI Patch) that prides itself on being “a walking community.” The city has 80 miles of sidewalks to ensure every child can safely walk or bike to school (Safety | East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website). These districts demonstrate that maintaining walkable neighborhood schools can strengthen academic outcomes, reduce costs, and foster tight-knit communities. Their policy approach centers on keeping schools embedded in the community, investing in pedestrian infrastructure, and engaging families in active transportation programs – all of which yield healthier students and sustained academic success (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA).
Demographic Trends and Housing Turnover in Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe’s population profile suggests that school enrollment declines may be partially cyclical. The community has a notably aging population and high homeownership, factors that point toward an upcoming generational turnover. The old-age dependency ratio in the Grosse Pointe area is around 48.6% – meaning roughly 48 seniors for every 100 working-age adults – far above the state average (30%) or national average (28%). Meanwhile, the area’s homeownership rates are exceptionally high (often 85–95% in the Pointes) (Grosse Pointe, Michigan - Hamlet), indicating that most homes are owner-occupied rather than rentals.
Housing turnover is inevitable in the coming years as older residents retire, downsize, or pass on, and given the high homeownership and limited rental stock, homes will likely be sold to younger families. In other words, Grosse Pointe is poised for a wave of generational housing transition: as senior households make way for new owners, an influx of school-age children could follow.
This dynamic has been observed in similar communities. For example, suburban Wilton, Connecticut saw its school enrollment begin to rise after 2020 due in large part to “generational turnover of housing.” The district projects a 12–16% increase in elementary enrollments over the next decade, even though the town’s overall population was flat – largely because many homes switched from empty-nesters to families with young kids (Wilton school enrollment could exceed 4,400 students in a decade). This example underscores how declining birth rates alone do not tell the whole story in mature communities; when a large cohort of older residents is replaced by younger families, school enrollments can rebound despite smaller youth populations in the prior generation.
Plante Moran’s enrollment projections for Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) currently forecast continuing declines based on low birth rates and recent enrollment trends. Indeed, both Michigan and Wayne County have seen birth rates fall. Wayne County births dropped from ~27,000 in 2006 to ~20,000 in 2024, and GPPSS’s K-12 enrollment fell by over 1,500 students in the last 7 years (Enrollment Report - March 2025.pdf).
Grosse Pointe’s demographics, however, are an outlier. About a third of residents are beyond retirement age, a proportion much higher than surrounding areas. This suggests that Grosse Pointe’s overall population decline is driven by an aging wave of Baby Boomers – a temporary condition that can mask the potential for future student growth. Once homes begin to turn over, the population of children should rise even if the total population remains flat or even continues dropping slightly (since younger families are typically smaller in household size than the aging couples they replace).
The high demand for Grosse Pointe homes by young families is already being noticed. Brandon Kaiser, a Grosse Pointe Park resident with two toddlers, noted seeing growth in little league sports participation, observing “more kids in the area” in recent years (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse). He and many neighbors are precisely the demographic moving in as original owners move out, and he hopes his daughters will be able to walk to a neighborhood school in the near future (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse).
In similar mature suburbs, enrollment declines tend to level off and can reverse when generational turnover reaches a tipping point. Plante Moran’s projection acknowledged GPPSS elementary and middle school enrollment may be “starting to level off” after years of decline (Enrollment Report - March 2025.pdf). It is likely that Grosse Pointe’s old-age dependency is not a permanent state – it signals an upcoming transition. The consultants’ models built on birth rates might underestimate the incoming wave of children if they assume the current age distribution persists. As one local analysis put it, assuming population decline equals fewer students is a flaw, because once those homes sell, new students will arrive.
In summary, while GPPSS should plan prudently for the next few years of smaller cohorts, there is a strong factual case that the enrollment trajectory could shift upward in the medium term. Communities with the Pointes’ profile – high home values, safe walkable neighborhoods, and excellent public schools – remain highly attractive to young families. As the housing stock turns over in Grosse Pointe, enrollment could stabilize or even grow, contrary to the straight-line decline forecasted. Any long-range facilities plan should incorporate this potential and avoid drastic downsizing that could leave the district ill-prepared for a future uptick.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made a statewide call to plan for growth rather than decline, stating, “Michigan’s population is not fixed—it’s a reflection of the choices we make. Let’s make the kind of choices that invite families in, not push them away” (Whitmer, 2023.) Reopening walkable neighborhood schools like Trombly aligns with this vision. It sends a signal that Grosse Pointe is ready for the next generation of families—that we believe in renewal, not retreat.
Community Sentiment on Reopening Trombly Elementary
Trombly Elementary School, a beloved neighborhood school in Grosse Pointe Park, was closed in 2019 amid declining enrollment, and the community has since actively debated its future. The Trombly community strongly favors reopening the school, fueled by both emotional attachment and recent demographic shifts. Many residents recount Trombly as more than just a building – it was a tight-knit, walkable “little, small community school” with generations of alumni (Enrollment crisis causes district stress – The Tower Pulse). Its closure was felt as a deep loss. A former Trombly family described being “really sad” at the news and noted that transferring to a larger school (Defer Elementary) “felt like a total switch” that broke the intimate community atmosphere (Enrollment crisis causes district stress – The Tower Pulse).
This neighborhood pride has been translated into organized support for reopening. Notably, the Grosse Pointe Park Foundation pledged $1 million in late 2024 to help fund the reopening of Trombly within three years, an extraordinary gesture to jump-start the process. At the school board’s December 2024 meeting when this pledge was announced, numerous residents spoke up about their passionate hope to send their kids to Trombly. (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse) This movement encapsulates a widely shared vision in the Park: families want a walkable neighborhood elementary where children can build friendships close to home and parents can easily engage.
GPPSS Board Trustee Sean Cotton has publicly reflected on the broader impact of school closures, calling the 2019 loss of Trombly (and another school, Poupard) a “tragedy” that “undermines the very foundation of what makes Grosse Pointe special.” In an interview, he stated, “Closing schools destroys a piece of the community… If we are not a destination, walkable and bikeable school district, it would put us, long term, in a worse position.” (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse) This perspective from leadership aligns with residents’ views that local schools are central to community vitality. It also implies that reopening Trombly is not just about one school but about preserving the character and desirability of the entire district.
While support is strong, the community dialogue hasn’t ignored practical challenges. Some residents have raised concerns about costs and trade-offs. Reopening an aging school building will require substantial investment in renovations, staffing, and operations. Superintendent Dr. Andrea Tuttle presented an estimate that it would take a minimum of $9 million to prepare Trombly for reopening. Even with the generous $1 million donation, the district would need to secure additional funds (likely through a bond or budget reallocations) to cover this gap. Further discussion and prioritization have lowered the target amount needed for re-opening Trombly to $5 million. A few community members cautioned that spending millions to reopen a school must be weighed against other fiscal needs. These voices urge careful study – such as conducting a formal survey of community interest and a cost-benefit analysis – before committing resources. The school board in fact planned to survey the community to gauge demand for Trombly’s reopening, with a new board set to vote on issuing that survey in early 2025 (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse). This measured approach indicates the board is taking community input seriously while also doing due diligence.
The promise of a re-opened Trombly symbolizes hope that Grosse Pointe will remain a community where families can walk their children to a nearby school and keep that small-town camaraderie. We at Pointers for Academic Excellence (PFAE) and many local leaders see this as part of maintaining Grosse Pointe’s unique appeal. At the same time, stakeholders recognize that the district must secure funding and ensure that reopening is sustainable for the long term. The conversation around Trombly has therefore galvanized community spirit – with rallies, foundation support, and packed meetings – and has tied directly into the push for an extended bond measure to finance facility improvements.
Strategic Importance of a 2025 Bond Extension
The potential 2025 bond proposal for Grosse Pointe Public Schools is widely viewed as a crucial investment in the district’s future, impacting facilities, neighborhood schools, and educational quality. PFAE believes that passage of a bond extension will help restore and preserve neighborhood schools, which are integral to Grosse Pointe’s community fabric. By funding the possible reopening of Trombly and avoiding further consolidations, the bond supports the walkability and “destination district” qualities that leaders like Mr. Cotton have championed (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse).
In PFAE’s view, maintaining smaller community-centric schools can make Grosse Pointe more attractive to young families (stoking enrollment growth) and keep class sizes optimal for learning. It’s worth noting that the Grosse Pointe Park Foundation’s $1 million pledge for Trombly was a catalyst, but it was understood that a bond would likely be needed to cover the remaining ~$4-8 million shortfall (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse). Thus, part of the bond’s importance is providing a financial pathway to reopen Trombly and perhaps other shuttered resources, which aligns with PFAE’s goal of maximizing student opportunities (by offering another elementary option and reducing crowding elsewhere). Beyond Trombly, the 2025 bond package would address district-wide facility needs that have been accumulating. To conclude, Pointers for Academic Excellence understands that the decisions we make today must serve not only this generation but those yet to come. As temporary caretakers of our schools and neighborhoods, we are responsible for preserving what makes Grosse Pointe exceptional - tight-knit, walkable communities rooted in academic excellence. We aren’t pushing a trend; we’re protecting a tradition. Reopening neighborhood schools and embracing walkability isn’t just a nostalgic gesture - it’s a long-term strategic investment in livability, sustainability, and vitality. In the words of an old proverb: when you tend a fire, you don’t smother it—you add another log, so it burns even brighter for those who follow.
Appendix: National High-Performing Walkable School Districts
A. Districts That Have Eliminated or Limited School Busing
These school districts rely heavily on walking due to their compact community layouts:
Lakewood City Schools (Lakewood, OH)
No school buses due to the city's highly walkable design.
Nearly 5,800 students walk or bike to school.
Integrated Safe Routes to School to enhance crosswalk safety.
Academic Strength: Consistently high graduation rates and strong academic performance.
East Grand Rapids Public Schools (East Grand Rapids, MI)
Considered Michigan’s most walkable school district.
Over 80 miles of sidewalks ensure safe pedestrian routes.
Ranked #9 in Michigan’s top-performing districts.
Active parent involvement in pedestrian safety initiatives.
Oakwood City Schools (Oakwood, OH)
No traditional school bus service.
A wealthy, high-achieving suburb of Dayton with an extensive sidewalk network.
Ranked 7th best district in Ohio and in the top 1.5% nationally.
Walkability contributes to strong community engagement and high student outcomes.
Allentown School District (Allentown, PA)
Most elementary and middle school students walk due to the district’s compact size.
Cost savings on busing are redirected toward academics and facilities.
Implemented walkability audits and school crossing improvements.
B. Districts with Strong Walkability Programs
These districts have invested in walkability while maintaining high student achievement:
Brookline Public Schools (Brookline, MA)
A dense, walkable suburb of Boston with a school-centered neighborhood model.
Nearly 90% of students live within a mile of school, reducing car dependency.
Consistently ranked as one of Massachusetts’ top-performing school districts.
Arlington Public Schools (Arlington, VA)
Emphasizes walkability through Safe Routes to School and urban planning.
Over 60% of elementary students walk due to strategic zoning.
Ranked as the #1 school district in Virginia in multiple categories.
Portland Public Schools (Portland, OR)
Prioritizes walking and biking through citywide initiatives.
Strong environmental and health policies to reduce car trips.
Walkability efforts have contributed to higher attendance rates.
Boulder Valley School District (Boulder, CO)
Sustainable transportation programs encourage walking and biking.
Ranked in Colorado’s top 5 districts.
Safe Routes to School successfully reduced morning car congestion.
Minneapolis Public Schools (Minneapolis, MN)
Strong Safe Routes to School programs have increased walking rates.
Infrastructure improvements include bike lanes, improved crossings, and new pedestrian paths.
C. Districts Where Walkability Enhances Programming and Academic Excellence
These districts have structured their school planning to promote walkability alongside academic excellence:
Ann Arbor Public Schools (Ann Arbor, MI)
Strong walkability initiatives linked to University of Michigan’s urban planning policies.
One of Michigan’s highest-rated school districts.
Shaker Heights City School District (Shaker Heights, OH)
Designed with small neighborhood schools to encourage walking.
Top-tier public education ranking in Ohio.
Newton Public Schools (Newton, MA)
A Boston suburb that maintains historic neighborhood schools with strong walking access.
One of the highest-achieving districts in Massachusetts.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (Chapel Hill, NC)
A university-town district with strong biking and pedestrian infrastructure.
Walkability supports high academic achievement (ranked #1 in North Carolina).
Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA)
Integrated Safe Routes to School program.
High percentage of students walking or biking due to compact community layout.
Ranked in the top 1% of California districts.
Sources:
Greater Mercer TMA – “Link Between Walkability and School Performance?” (2013) (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA) (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA)
Greater Mercer TMA citing Atlantic Cities – Children who walk/bike have improved concentration (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA)
Greater Mercer TMA – Decline in walking to school vs. rise in childhood obesity stats (Link Between Walkability and School Performance? - Greater Mercer TMA)
Cleveland Plain Dealer (SaveOurLandSaveOurTowns) – Allentown and Pottstown walkability, busing cost savings (Cleveland Plain Dealer) (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Health benefits and academic performance with daily walking (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
City of Oakwood, OH – Community description (no school buses needed due to walkability) (Get to Know Oakwood - City of Oakwood)
Dayton Daily News – Oakwood High School academic ranking (7th in Ohio) (OHS RANKED 7th IN STATE - Oakwood High School)
Governing Magazine – “The Town Where Everyone Still Walks to School” (Lakewood, OH) (A town where every child can walk to school - Strong Towns)
East Grand Rapids, MI – Official city website (80 miles of sidewalks, highly walkable) (Safety | East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website)
FOX 2 Detroit / Patch – Michigan high school rankings (East Grand Rapids #9) (3 MI High Schools Make U.S. News 2024 'Best' Ranking | Across Michigan, MI Patch)
GPPSS Pupil Enrollment Study (2024) – Grosse Pointe demographics and enrollment trends (Microsoft PowerPoint - PEPS Presentation Template_1-2024) (Enrollment Report - March 2025.pdf)
CT Post – Wilton, CT school enrollment projections (growth from housing turnover) (Wilton school enrollment could exceed 4,400 students in a decade) (Wilton school enrollment could exceed 4,400 students in a decade)
The Tower Pulse (Grosse Pointe South HS student paper) – “Enrollment crisis causes district stress” (Nov 2024), Trombly closure impact (Enrollment crisis causes district stress – The Tower Pulse)
The Tower Pulse – “Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation” (Dec 2024), $1M pledge and public comments (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse) (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse)
The Tower Pulse – Board President Sean Cotton quotes on community and walkable schools (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse)
The Tower Pulse – Cost to reopen Trombly (Superintendent’s $9 million estimate) (Discussion continues on closed elementary amidst donation – The Tower Pulse)
Pointers for Academic Excellence (PFAE) website – Mission and Vision statements (Pointers for Academic Excellence) (Pointers for Academic Excellence)
Pointers for Academic Excellence – “Focus on the Future” priority (modernizing classroom environments)
Safe Routes Partnership. (n.d.). Benefits of Safe Routes to School. Retrieved from https://www.saferoutespartnership.org/resources/fact-sheet/benefits-safe-routes-school
Whitmer, G. (2023, December 14). Statewide Strategy to Grow Michigan’s Population. Michigan.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/12/14/governor-whitmer-unveils-roadmap-to-grow-michigans-population