Founded as an educational and cultural center in 1922 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Cranbrook is poised at the intersection of education, art, and science. Engaged in design thinking practices for over a century, we offer a college prep experience that goes beyond the classroom and is both timeless and timely, creating independent thinkers who value their relationships and their education. Utilizing our world-class museums and Center for Collections and Research, Cranbrook students thrive in an experience more like a small university than a typical college preparatory school. They graduate from Cranbrook with the drive and the capacity to make a difference in the complex world around them.
What Makes Us Unique
Cranbrook Schools: What Makes Us Unique
When you join Cranbrook, your education extends far beyond the walls of a traditional classroom. Our school is defined by two extraordinary characteristics that transform the student experience:
A Living Educational Community
At Cranbrook, world-class cultural, artistic, and scientific institutions aren't just places we visit on field trips—they are part of your daily campus life. Our stunning campus is home to the Cranbrook Museum of Art, the Cranbrook Institute of Science, extensive campus archives, and meticulously preserved historic houses. Rather than existing as static monuments, these premier assets function as active, everyday academic resources. They don’t just belong to the school; they become a vibrant extension of your home and a unique resource for the entire family.
Our Commitment to Place-Based Education
We believe the best way to learn is by doing. Through our commitment to Place-Based Education, our campus itself becomes a living textbook. Instead of just reading about ecology, history, or design, our students step outside to actively investigate the rich environment and world-class collections right in their backyard.
This immersive approach transforms students into active explorers. Whether conducting hands-on research at the Institute of Science or analyzing archival design pieces, students learn to connect deep academic concepts to the real world. Cranbrook is the perfect fit for curious, creative students who thrive when given the freedom to discover, create, and utilize university-level resources at the secondary school level.