As the state of Michigan’s largest public education school system, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) provides a cadre of educational programming and services for children from kindergarten through 12th grade as well as adults seeking to complete their education.
With a priority approach that includes development of the whole child, DPSCD is staying at the forefront of helping its students rise. As the 2020-21 school year winds down and enrollment season heats up, District students and leaders took a moment to share their stories of success despite a pandemic.
Madison Johnson, ninth grade, Southeastern High School-Advanced Manufacturing Academy
Madison Johnson is among 200 ninth grade students who are part of DPSCD’s Advanced Manufacturing Academy, an education-career pathway program that enables students to jump start their careers in advanced manufacturing. The program is partnership between DPSCD, Stellantis and the City of Detroit/Detroit At Work program.
During a recent online press conference announcing the completion of the first phase of the initiative, Madison shared how much she has learned about manufacturing since enrolling in the course in September.
“I have a better understanding now of how everyday objects are made and what it takes to make those products,” says Madison. “I especially enjoy learning how different factories are configured, the various moving parts and activities.” Madison is looking forward to exploring more.
Bolstered by a $4 million investment from Stellantis, the program exposes students such as Madison to high-growth, high-demand careers in manufacturing. For Phase 2, a new 10th grade course will begin in the fall 2021 semester to align with the Advanced Manufacturing pathway track.
Learn more about Southeastern’s Advanced Manufacturing Academy as well as the other DPSCD schools for your family by visiting detroitk12.org/southeastern.
Aaron Harvey, 12th grade, Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men
Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men student Aaron Harvey never felt like he had the support that he needed to be successful at suburban schools. When he came to Douglass, he said it was the first time he felt his school was “like a family.”
While attending Douglass, Aaron has taken on several leadership roles such as class president, and he participated in the Midnight Golf Program. He’s also honed his academic success by participating in the school’s cutting-edge Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program. He is proud that he will soon be an alumnus of the only all-male tuition-free public school in the state of Michigan. The principal, Dr. Willie White is fostering a family of scholars.
Are you interested in having your son experience Douglass? Join us at an upcoming online open house on April 29 at 4:30 p.m. Register here: detroitk12.org/Page/15165.
Sakina Bolden, Principal, Detroit International Academy for Young Women
“When the learning environment is beautiful, inviting, supportive, safe and fun, the learning is easy,” says Principal Sakina Bolden, the leader of DPSCD’s Detroit International Academy for Young Women — DIA for short. In February, Bolden and her team opened the doors to DIA’s new building, located at 5161 Charles St. The building’s repurposing is a testament to the can-do spirit and emotional support that reverberates throughout DIA.
As a District application school, DIA is renowned as being the only all-female public school in the state. The school has partnered with the Detroit Zoo and the Michigan Human Society to develop a Biomedical Science and Veterinary Medicine career pathway program that provides students with college credit, internships and scholarship opportunities. For more information on DIA, including how to submit an application, please visit the school’s website at detroitk12.org/dia.
These stories represent a fragment of the students and leaders that make up DPSCD. The District’s schools offer a clear path to competitive careers with programs such as Fine and Performing Arts, Science and Medicine, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Aviation, Foreign Language Immersion and Single-Gender Education.
Dual-enrollment opportunities for college credit are available through each school, as well as eligibility for the Detroit Promise scholarship — a tuition-free path to trade, two-year and four-year credentials at select Michigan colleges and universities.
The District is hosting virtual events through the month of May. Visit detroitk12.org/enroll to identify a school for your child’s unique learning needs. DPSCD is saving a seat for you!
Learn more about the Detroit Public Schools Community District at detroitk12.org.
