The Clarenceville School District originated in 1837 as Fractional School District No. 5, serving parts of modern-day Livonia, Farmington Hills and Redford. The former town of Clarenceville, named for Postmaster Thomas Clarency, was centered around the Botsford Inn, a stagecoach stop. The district's name reflects this historical town, even though its current schools are mainly in Wayne County, while some original territory was in Oakland County.


Historical timeline

1837: Fractional School District No. 5 is established, serving the children in an area that now includes Livonia, Farmington Hills and Redford. The term "fractional" was used because the district crossed township boundaries.

Mid-1830s: The first school is built, a small, one-room schoolhouse located on the east side of the current cemetery.

1907: The Clarenceville post office closes, but the school district, the Botsford Inn, and the cemetery remain.

1948-1966: Louis E. Schmidt serves as the school superintendent.

1968: The Louis E. Schmidt Auditorium is constructed.

1969-1982: The auditorium hosts the Clarenceville Jazz Series, attracting renowned jazz artists.

1970s: The district closes two elementary schools, Edgewood and Westbrook, which were located in Oakland County.

1967-1968: Louis E. Schmidt serves in the Michigan House of Representatives.


The school district today

Service area: The district serves parts of Livonia, Farmington Hills, Redford, and Southfield.

Educational facilities: It includes one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools.

Name origin: The district's name comes from the former town of Clarenceville, which was a stagecoach stop on the road between Lansing and Detroit.

District name vs. location: The district is listed as being in Oakland County due to its historical ties to the former town of Clarenceville, but its schools are actually located in Wayne County.