By Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press Aug. 16--Lisa Bergum wants to go to the best college she can, and her first step toward making it happen was enrolling in one of the most demanding high schools in the country. "The curriculum is a lot harder.

By Detroit Free Press Jul. 16--Her friends are enjoying carefree summer days, but 9-year-old Samantha Dillow is perfectly content in the classroom.

By Maryanne George, Detroit Free Press May 31--Altered bus routes, teacher layoffs, higher fees for athletics and reduced hours at school media centers are among the tough choices facing officials in Huron Valley Schools as they try to close a $3.6-million gap in next school year's budget.

By Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press May 18--Few school leaders can boast what retiring Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Robert O'Brien can: that in eight years, his low-funded district has cut spending by 20% while at the same time increasing test scores.