Highland Park Schools: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|School district}} |
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{{for|the public school district in Texas|Highland Park Independent School District}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} |
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{{Infobox school district |
{{Infobox school district |
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|name = |
|name = School District of the City of Highland Park |
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|logo = |
|logo = |
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|motto = |
|motto = |
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|type = [[Public school (government funded)|Public]] ( |
|type = [[Public school (government funded)|Public]] (Charter) |
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|grades = |
|grades = PreK—8 |
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|established = <!-- {{Start date|}} --> |
|established = <!-- {{Start date|}} --> |
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|closed = |
|closed = |
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|location = |
|location = |
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|coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|||dim:250_region:US-_type:edu|name=District office|display=inline,title}} --> |
|coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|||dim:250_region:US-_type:edu|name=District office|display=inline,title}} --> |
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|president = |
|president = Janet Spight White |
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|vice-president = |
|vice-president = Shamayim Harris |
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|superintendent = Domini Nailer<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Team |url=https://barberprep.com/our-team/ |website=Barber Preparatory Academy |publisher=Barber Preparatory Academy |access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref> |
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|superintendent = Carmen Willingham |
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|asst_superintendent = |
|asst_superintendent = |
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|accreditations = <!-- or | accreditation = --> |
|accreditations = <!-- or | accreditation = --> |
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|schools = 1 |
|schools = 1 |
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|budget = |
|budget = |
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|us_nces_district_id = <!-- {{ |
|us_nces_district_id = <!-- {{2601014||district_name=Highland Park Public School Academy System|access_date=}} --> |
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|students = 273 (2020-21)<ref name="Count">{{cite web |title=Student Enrollment Counts Report |url=https://www.mischooldata.org/student-enrollment-counts-report/ |website=MI School Data |publisher=State of Michigan |access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref> |
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|students = 352 (2016-17) |
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|faculty = |
|faculty = |
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|teachers = |
|teachers = 6 |
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|staff = |
|staff = |
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|ratio = |
|ratio = 51:1 |
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|conference = |
|conference = |
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|mascot = |
|mascot = |
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[[File:Highland Park Schools headquarters original building 1.jpg|thumb|The previous Highland Park Schools headquarters and former [[Highland Park Renaissance Academy High School Campus]] at 131 Pilgrim]] |
[[File:Highland Park Schools headquarters original building 1.jpg|thumb|The previous Highland Park Schools headquarters and former [[Highland Park Renaissance Academy High School Campus]] at 131 Pilgrim]] |
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[[File:Former Highland Park Schools headquarters.jpg|thumb|Former headquarters at 20 Bartlett]] |
[[File:Former Highland Park Schools headquarters.jpg|thumb|Former headquarters at 20 Bartlett]] |
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'''Highland Park Schools''', officially the '''School District of the City of Highland Park''', is a school district headquartered in [[Highland Park, Michigan|Highland Park]], [[Michigan]], |
'''Highland Park Schools''', officially the '''School District of the City of Highland Park''', is a school district headquartered in [[Highland Park, Michigan|Highland Park]], [[Michigan]], United States in [[Greater Detroit]].<ref name=About>"[http://www.hipark.org/about-us/ About Us]." Highland Park Schools. Retrieved on April 30, 2017. "The School District of the City of Highland Park Administrative Office mailing address is 12360 Woodward Avenue, Highland Park, MI 48203"</ref> The district serves the city of Highland Park, a total of {{convert|2.98|sqmi|sqkm}} of land.<ref name=2008home>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080929202235/http://www.hipark.k12.mi.us/ Home]. () Highland Park Schools. September 29, 2008. Retrieved on November 5, 2012. "20 Bartlett Highland Park, MI 48203"</ref> |
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In 2012, the school board authorized the reorganization of the district as a "[[Charter schools in the United States|public school academy]]" system according to state law, and named it the '''Highland Park Public School Academy System'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE REVISED SCHOOL CODE (EXCERPT), Act 451 of 1976 |url=http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-380-502 |website=Michigan Legislature |publisher=Legislative Service Bureau |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="Mackinac"/><ref name="Contract">{{cite web |title=CONTRACTTO OPERATE A PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY - between -The School District of the City of Highland Park - and – The Highland Park Public School Academy System a Michigan Public School Academy |url=https://hipark.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Contract-to-Charter-Final-Version-11.2019.pdf |website=Highland Park School District |publisher=School District of the City of Highland Park |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> In turn, the school academy system has contracted with various [[charter school]] operators, who oversee the management and day-to-day operations of the district's properties. Beginning in 2017, the district has been in a Cooperative Education Program Agreement with [[Detroit Public Schools]] to offer high school services to students living in the district,<ref name="Contract"/> with [[Northwestern High School (Michigan)|Northwestern High School]] as their neighborhood high school.<ref>"[http://detroitk12.org/enroll/how-to-enroll/ Enroll at DPS Community District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502050749/http://detroitk12.org/enroll/how-to-enroll/ |date=2017-05-02 }}." [[Detroit Public Schools]]. Retrieved on May 2, 2017. "All 8th grade students from Highland Park are encouraged to call Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Northwestern for enrollment."</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Once the "Schools of Choice" program was passed into state law, the district had begun accepting students from [[Detroit]] and [[Hamtramck]].<ref name=Howellp219>Howell, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QdamRHJ3dxUC |
Once the "Schools of Choice" program was passed into state law, the district had begun accepting students from [[Detroit]] and [[Hamtramck, Michigan|Hamtramck]].<ref name=Howellp219>Howell, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QdamRHJ3dxUC&dq=%22did+their+homework+before+launching+a+pilot+program+designed+to+attract+Muslim%22&pg=PA219 219].</ref> |
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In 1977, the current high school was built for the increasing numbers of students transferring from other school districts (particularly [[Detroit Public Schools|Detroit]]). Some students were motivated by Highland Park students' access to [[Highland Park Community College|Highland Park Junior College]], which was known to be selective.<ref name=ml>{{cite news|last=Foley |first=Aaron |title=From state-of-the-art to state takeover: The rise and fall of Highland Park Public Schools |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/02/highland_park_schools.html |accessdate=2 February 2012 |newspaper=mlive.com |date=February 2, 2012 }} ()</ref> Jack Martin, who was the emergency manager of HPPS appointed by the state, said that it was a junior college "that was harder to get into than [[Wayne State University|Wayne State]]."<ref name=ml/> |
In 1977, the current high school was built for the increasing numbers of students transferring from other school districts (particularly [[Detroit Public Schools|Detroit]]). Some students were motivated by Highland Park students' access to [[Highland Park Community College|Highland Park Junior College]], which was known to be selective.<ref name=ml>{{cite news|last=Foley |first=Aaron |title=From state-of-the-art to state takeover: The rise and fall of Highland Park Public Schools |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/02/highland_park_schools.html |accessdate=2 February 2012 |newspaper=mlive.com |date=February 2, 2012 }} ()</ref> Jack Martin, who was the emergency manager of HPPS appointed by the state, said that it was a junior college "that was harder to get into than [[Wayne State University|Wayne State]]."<ref name=ml/> |
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Beginning in the 1990s, the district began its decline with the closing of its pool that state-champions used to train in. With students slowing began to leave. Cuts to programs both academic and after-school accrued yearly. In 1996, another hit came in the closing of Highland Park Community College.<ref name=ml/> [[Deficit spending]] and deterioration of the buildings began setting in during the 2000s.<ref name=ml/> |
Beginning in the 1990s, the district began its decline with the closing of its pool that state-champions used to train in. With students slowing began to leave. Cuts to programs both academic and after-school accrued yearly. In 1996, another hit came in the closing of Highland Park Community College.<ref name=ml/> [[Deficit spending]] and deterioration of the buildings began setting in during the 2000s.<ref name=ml/> |
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In 2003, 45% of the district's students did not live in Highland Park. This prevented significant closings of schools, prevented a state takeover, and added $2 million to the district's budget. Sally Howell, author of "Competing for Muslims: New Strategies for Urban Renewal in Detroit", wrote that "Many of the non-resident students who matriculated in Highland Park had serious disciplinary, academic, or personal problems."<ref name=Howellp219/> In 2006 the district had over 3,000 students.<ref name=Lewispitch>Lewis, Shawn D. "[http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2015/06/08/schools-pitch-students-parents-highland-park/28721799/ Schools pitch students, parents from Highland Park]" ([https:// |
In 2003, 45% of the district's students did not live in Highland Park. This prevented significant closings of schools, prevented a state takeover, and added $2 million to the district's budget. Sally Howell, author of "Competing for Muslims: New Strategies for Urban Renewal in Detroit", wrote that "Many of the non-resident students who matriculated in Highland Park had serious disciplinary, academic, or personal problems."<ref name=Howellp219/> In 2006 the district had over 3,000 students.<ref name=Lewispitch>Lewis, Shawn D. "[http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2015/06/08/schools-pitch-students-parents-highland-park/28721799/ Schools pitch students, parents from Highland Park]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150706094151/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2015/06/08/schools-pitch-students-parents-highland-park/28721799/ Archive]). ''[[The Detroit News]]''. June 9, 2015. Retrieved on July 6, 2015.</ref> After 2007, student enrollment has dropped off quickly with families either leaving the District altogether or transfer the students elsewhere.<ref name=ml/> In 2012 there were fewer than 1,000 students in the district schools.<ref name=Lewispitch/> |
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=== Efforts to attract Arab and Muslim students=== |
=== Efforts to attract Arab and Muslim students=== |
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{{ |
{{see also|Islam in Metro Detroit}} |
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{{ |
{{see also|History of the Middle Eastern people in Metro Detroit}} |
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In 2005 the district made plans to attract Arab and Muslim students resident in [[Detroit]] and [[Hamtramck]].<ref>Cecil, Angel. "[https:// |
In 2005 the district made plans to attract Arab and Muslim students resident in [[Detroit]] and [[Hamtramck]].<ref>Cecil, Angel. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/436535072 HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOLS SEEK MORE ARAB, MUSLIM STUDENTS]." ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''. January 28, 2005. News p. B2. Retrieved on September 8, 2013. byline says: "HAMTRAMCK, DETROIT INTEND TO KEEP THEM"</ref> Dr. Theresa Saunders, the superintendent of the school system, hired Yahya Alkebsi ({{langx|ar|يحيى الكبسي}}), a [[Yemeni-American]] educator, as the district's Arab Muslim consultant. It added Arabic-speaking teachers, and began offering instruction in Arabic. Sallow Howell, author of "Competing for Muslims: New Strategies for Urban Renewal in Detroit", said that the district began treating "Muslim families more directly like consumers".<ref name=Howellp220>Howell, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QdamRHJ3dxUC&dq=Hamtramck+Public+Schools+Arabic&pg=PA220 220]. "HPS, like a dozen or more local charter schools, sought to outmaneuver more experienced districts by[...] and agreeing to segregate Muslim students from mainstream classrooms, a policy that is routinely denied in Highland Park but is also very much on display in local charter schools."</ref> Howell said that the district agreed "to segregate Muslim students from mainstream classrooms" but that the district routinely denied that this was the case.<ref name=Howellp220/> Alkebsi said that he would bring [[halal]] food to HPS schools, but he was unable to do so. The district instead had vegetarian options.<ref>Howell, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QdamRHJ3dxUC&dq=%22In+Dearborn%2C+negetarian+alternatives+to+non-halal+meals+have+been+provided+districtwide+since+the+early+1980s%22&pg=PA223 223].</ref> |
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===Financial emergency=== |
===Financial emergency=== |
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In January 2012, the State of [[Michigan]]'s review team issued a report recommending that the Governor appoint an [[Financial emergency|emergency manager]]. The team found that the District had 3 or more years of deficit spending, failed to spend money according to grant and appropriations and failure to have policy and procedures in place.<ref>{{cite news|title=Panel recommends emergency manager for Highland Park School District|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20120104/NEWS02/120104019/Panel-recommends-emergency-manager-Highland-Park-School-District|accessdate=13 January 2012|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=January 4, 2012}}</ref> The School Board voted to challenge the appointment of an Emergency Manager. On Monday January 30, 2012, Emergency Manager [[Jack Martin (politician)|Jack Martin]] appointed by [[Governor of Michigan]] [[Rick Snyder]] took control of the School District. |
In January 2012, the State of [[Michigan]]'s review team issued a report recommending that the Governor appoint an [[Financial emergency|emergency manager]]. The team found that the District had 3 or more years of deficit spending, failed to spend money according to grant and appropriations and failure to have policy and procedures in place.<ref>{{cite news|title=Panel recommends emergency manager for Highland Park School District|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20120104/NEWS02/120104019/Panel-recommends-emergency-manager-Highland-Park-School-District|accessdate=13 January 2012|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=January 4, 2012}}</ref> The School Board voted to challenge the appointment of an Emergency Manager. On Monday January 30, 2012, Emergency Manager [[Jack Martin (politician)|Jack Martin]] appointed by [[Governor of Michigan]] [[Rick Snyder]] took control of the School District. |
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In July 2012, the Highland Park School District was reported to have one of the lowest literacy rates in the country with more than 90% of students failing college reading entrance exams, 97% failing math and 100% failing social studies. These dismal scores prompted a lawsuit by the ACLU against the state of Michigan.{{citation needed|date=November 2012}} |
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Robert Davis, a community activist, had embezzled over $125,000 from the district between 2004 and 2010. He pleaded guilty to two charges: filing a false tax return and conversion. The latter charge has a 10-year sentence. He was scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2014.<ref>"[http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/09/02/activist-robert-davis-pleads-to-federal-charges-in-school-theft-case/ Activist Robert Davis Pleads To Federal Charges In Highland Park Schools Theft Case]" ([https:// |
Robert Davis, a community activist, had embezzled over $125,000 from the district between 2004 and 2010. He pleaded guilty to two charges: filing a false tax return and conversion. The latter charge has a 10-year sentence. He was scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2014.<ref>"[http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/09/02/activist-robert-davis-pleads-to-federal-charges-in-school-theft-case/ Activist Robert Davis Pleads To Federal Charges In Highland Park Schools Theft Case]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140917182222/http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/09/02/activist-robert-davis-pleads-to-federal-charges-in-school-theft-case/ Archive]) Detroit CBS. September 2, 2014. Retrieved on September 5, 2014.</ref> |
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===Charter system=== |
===Charter system=== |
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In August 2012 the |
In August 2012, the charter academy system entered into a contract with the [[Leona Group LLC]].<ref name="Contract"/> The original school district remained to pay off debts and collect tax revenue.<ref name=Bethencourt>Bethencourt, Daniel. "[http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/06/08/highland-park-high-school-closure/28713865/ Highland Park parents seek options as high school shuts]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150703075413/http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/06/08/highland-park-high-school-closure/28713865/ Archive]). ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''. June 8, 2015. Retrieved on July 3, 2015.</ref> The Highland Park Schools district has an elected board with no capability of influencing the decisions made by the charter schools authorized by it. In 2014 the Highland Park Public School Academy System had a deficit of $600,000. None of this debt was incurred by the original Highland Park School District.<ref name=Guyettedisappearing>{{cite news|author=Guyette, Curt ([[American Civil Liberties Union]] of Michigan)|url=http://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/the-disappearing-district-shredded-democracy-lost-students-and-unanswered-debt-questions-in-highland-park/Content?oid=2453382|title=The disappearing district: what's happened to Highland Park schools?|newspaper=[[Metro Times]]|date=2016-07-06|accessdate=2017-04-30}}</ref> |
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In 2015 the emergency manager, Don Weatherspoon, announced that the Leona-controlled district was closing [[Highland Park Community High School|its high school]] |
In 2015 the emergency manager, Don Weatherspoon, announced that the Leona-controlled district was closing [[Highland Park Community High School|its high school]].<ref name=Bethencourt/> [[Bert Johnson (Michigan politician)|Bert Johnson]], a member of the [[Michigan Senate]]; and [[LaTanya Garrett]], a member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]], said that they were trying to reopen the high school.<ref>Neher, Jake. "[http://michiganradio.org/post/schools-open-across-state-lawmakers-work-reopen-highland-park-high-school As schools open across state, lawmakers work to reopen Highland Park high school]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151124201856/http://michiganradio.org/post/schools-open-across-state-lawmakers-work-reopen-highland-park-high-school Archive]). [[Michigan Radio]]. September 7, 2015. Retrieved on November 24, 2015.</ref> The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) filed a lawsuit saying that the district was failing to provide an adequate level of education. The [[Michigan Court of Appeals]] ruled that the legal system is not the proper place for this lawsuit and the [[Michigan Supreme Court]] refused to hear the case.<ref>Pluta, Rick. "[http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-supreme-court-won-t-take-right-read-case-against-state-highland-park-schools Michigan Supreme Court won't take up “right to read” case against state, Highland Park schools]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151125184649/http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-supreme-court-won-t-take-right-read-case-against-state-highland-park-schools Archive]). ''[[Michigan Radio]]''. September 25, 2015. Retrieved on November 25, 2015.</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In 2016, the other charter school authorized by Highland Park Schools, [[George Washington Carver Academy]], announced that it was switching its authorizer to [[Bay Mills Community College]], causing the school district to lose $125,000 in yearly revenue it had received for the school's operations. The district previously received 3% of the money the State of Michigan gave to the school per student; the state gave $7,300 per student at Carver. This left the Highland Park Public School Academy as the only school authorized by the Highland Park school district.<ref name=Guyettedisappearing/> Receivership for the HP school district ended in 2018.<ref>"[http://www.hipark.org/downloads/home_page/hpsd_letter_of_removal_from_receivership_20180627_162313_1.pdf Board President Ramsey:]." Sent from the State of Michigan. May 21, 2018. Retrieved on September 13, 2018.</ref><ref name="Mackinac">{{cite web |last1=DeGrow |first1=Ben |title=A Seven-Year Switch: Charter Management Perils in the Troubled Highland Park District |url=https://www.mackinac.org/26692 |website=Mackinac Center |publisher=Mackinac Center for Public Policy |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> |
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The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) filed a lawsuit saying that the district was failing to provide an adequate level of education. The [[Michigan Court of Appeals]] ruled that the legal system is not the proper place for this lawsuit and the [[Michigan Supreme Court]] refused to hear the case.<ref>Pluta, Rick. "[http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-supreme-court-won-t-take-right-read-case-against-state-highland-park-schools Michigan Supreme Court won’t take up “right to read” case against state, Highland Park schools]" ([https://www.webcitation.org/6dI7kxX9C?url=http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-supreme-court-won-t-take-right-read-case-against-state-highland-park-schools Archive]). ''[[Michigan Radio]]''. September 25, 2015. Retrieved on November 25, 2015.</ref> |
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In 2019 July, Highland Park Public School Academy System chose not to renew its contract with the [[For-profit education|for-profit]] Leona Group and chose the [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] Promise Schools as its charter operator until at least 2022.<ref name="Promise">{{cite web |title=Management Contract with Promise Schools |url=https://hipark.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Management-Agreement-with-Promise-Schools-1.pdf |website=Highland Park School District |publisher=School District of the City of Highland Park |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="Mackinac"/> By 2020, the district began seeking a charter operator to establish a new charter high school.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Lori |title=Five years after its high school closed, the Highland Park district is seeking charter operators to build anew |url=https://detroit.chalkbeat.org/2020/2/14/21178569/five-years-after-its-high-school-closed-the-highland-park-district-is-seeking-charter-operators-to-b |work=[[Chalkbeat Detroit]] |date=14 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6776550-Highland-Park-Schools-RFP.html?embed=true&responsive=false&sidebar=false |website=DocumentCloud|title=DocumentCloud }}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In 2016 the other charter school authorized by Highland Park Schools, Carver Academy, announced that it was switching its authorizer to [[Bay Mills Community College]], |
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Receivership for the HP school district ended in 2018.<ref>"[http://www.hipark.org/downloads/home_page/hpsd_letter_of_removal_from_receivership_20180627_162313_1.pdf Board President Ramsey:]." Sent from the State of Michigan. May 21, 2018. Retrieved on September 13, 2018.</ref> |
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==Operations== |
==Operations== |
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{{expand section|date=April 2017}} |
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The school district is currently headquartered at 12360 [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]].<ref name=About/> Previously the district was headquartered in the Henry Ford Campus.<ref name=About2015>"[http://www.hipark.org/about-us/ About Us]." Highland Park Schools. Retrieved on July 3, 2015. "The School District of the City of Highland Park Administrative Offices are located at 131 Pilgrim Street, Highland Park, MI 48203" and "Henry Ford Campus: 131 Pilgirm{{sic}}"</ref> It was also once headquartered at 20 Bartlett.<ref name=2008home/> |
The school district is currently headquartered at 12360 [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]].<ref name=About/> Previously the district was headquartered in the Henry Ford Campus.<ref name=About2015>"[http://www.hipark.org/about-us/ About Us]." Highland Park Schools. Retrieved on July 3, 2015. "The School District of the City of Highland Park Administrative Offices are located at 131 Pilgrim Street, Highland Park, MI 48203" and "Henry Ford Campus: 131 Pilgirm{{sic}}"</ref> It was also once headquartered at 20 Bartlett.<ref name=2008home/> |
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[[File:Highland Park Renaissance Academy.jpg|thumb|Front of Highland Park Renaissance Academy, the only remaining [[charter school]] authorized by Highland Park Schools.]] |
[[File:Highland Park Renaissance Academy.jpg|thumb|Front of Highland Park Renaissance Academy, the only remaining [[charter school]] authorized by Highland Park Schools.]] |
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;K-8 |
;K-8 |
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* |
*Barber Preparatory Academy (formerly Highland Park Renaissance Academy, Barber Campus) |
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Schools which continue to be open but are no longer in the system: |
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*George Washington Carver Academy [http://gwcarveracademy.org/] |
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**The school's 2008 mathematics and English standardized test scores for 4th grade students were invalidated after cheating had been discovered.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dawsey, Chastity Pratt|author2=Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki|author3=Kristi Tanner|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-03-10-1Aschooltesting10_ST_N.htm|title=After cheating scandal, school learns lessons in taking tests|publisher=''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' at the ''[[USA Today]]''|date=2011-03-10|accessdate=2017-04-30}}</ref> In 2013 the school participated in the "Students for Peace" competition in order to reduce the amount of fighting on campus; in 2012 91% of the students had received suspensions because they participated in fighting.<ref>{{cite web|author=Russell, Kim|url=http://www.wxyz.com/news/how-a-school-where-91-of-kids-had-been-suspended-for-violence-stopped-bullying-fights|title=How a school where 91% of kids had been suspended for violence stopped bullying & fights|publisher=''[[WXYZ-TV]]''|date=2013-11-03|accessdate=2017-04-30}}</ref> In 2016 it had 560 students, and it is managed by Midwest Management Group. That year it changed its authorizer to [[Bay Mills Community College]] out of concern that the Highland Park school district may collapse.<ref name=Guyettedisappearing/> |
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===Defunct Schools=== |
===Defunct Schools=== |
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*Old Highland Park High School - Closed in 2009, currently abandoned. |
*Old Highland Park High School - Closed in 2009, currently abandoned. |
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Primary schools: |
Primary schools: |
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*Cortland Elementary School<ref name=Guyettedisappearing/> - repurposed as Highland Park Head Start.{{ |
*Cortland Elementary School<ref name=Guyettedisappearing/> - repurposed as Highland Park Head Start.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} |
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*Ferris Elementary School - Currently abandoned as of |
*Ferris Elementary School - Currently abandoned as of 2019—slated to be razed. |
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*Highland Park Renaissance Academy Henry Ford Campus (formerly Henry Ford Academy and Henry Ford Elementary School)<ref name=ml/> |
*Highland Park Renaissance Academy Henry Ford Campus (formerly Henry Ford Academy and Henry Ford Elementary School)<ref name=ml/> |
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*Liberty Elementary School (formerly Liberty Focus Academy) |
*Liberty Elementary School (formerly Liberty Focus Academy) |
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| ⚫ | |||
*Midland Elementary School - This school has been razed. |
*Midland Elementary School - This school has been razed. |
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*Thompson Elementary School - Currently abandoned as of |
*Thompson Elementary School - Currently abandoned as of 2019—slated to be razed. |
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*Willard Elementary School - This school has been razed. |
*Willard Elementary School - This school has been razed. |
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===Other=== |
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K-8: |
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*[[George Washington Carver Academy]] (charted by Bay Mills Community College since 2016) |
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==Notable alumni== |
==Notable alumni== |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist|2}} |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Portal| |
{{Portal|Michigan|Schools}} |
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{{Commons category}} |
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{{Commonscat}} |
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* [http://www.hipark.org/ School District of the City of Highland Park] |
* [http://www.hipark.org/ School District of the City of Highland Park] |
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* [http://www.michigan.gov/highlandparkschools Understanding the Financial Emergency in Highland Park Schools] - State of Michigan |
* [http://www.michigan.gov/highlandparkschools Understanding the Financial Emergency in Highland Park Schools] - State of Michigan |
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{{Highland Park, Michigan}} |
{{Highland Park, Michigan}} |
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[[Category:School districts in Michigan|Highland Park]] |
[[Category:School districts in Michigan|Highland Park]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:00, 3 December 2024
| School District of the City of Highland Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| USA | |
| District information | |
| Type | Public (Charter) |
| Grades | PreK—8 |
| President | Janet Spight White |
| Vice-president | Shamayim Harris |
| Superintendent | Domini Nailer[1] |
| Schools | 1 |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | 273 (2020-21)[2] |
| Teachers | 6 |
| Student–teacher ratio | 51:1 |
| Other information | |
| Website | http://www.hipark.org/ |
Highland Park Schools, officially the School District of the City of Highland Park, is a school district headquartered in Highland Park, Michigan, United States in Greater Detroit.[3] The district serves the city of Highland Park, a total of 2.98 square miles (7.7 km2) of land.[4]
In 2012, the school board authorized the reorganization of the district as a "public school academy" system according to state law, and named it the Highland Park Public School Academy System.[5][6][7] In turn, the school academy system has contracted with various charter school operators, who oversee the management and day-to-day operations of the district's properties. Beginning in 2017, the district has been in a Cooperative Education Program Agreement with Detroit Public Schools to offer high school services to students living in the district,[7] with Northwestern High School as their neighborhood high school.[8]
History
[edit]Once the "Schools of Choice" program was passed into state law, the district had begun accepting students from Detroit and Hamtramck.[9]
In 1977, the current high school was built for the increasing numbers of students transferring from other school districts (particularly Detroit). Some students were motivated by Highland Park students' access to Highland Park Junior College, which was known to be selective.[10] Jack Martin, who was the emergency manager of HPPS appointed by the state, said that it was a junior college "that was harder to get into than Wayne State."[10]
With the loss of Chrysler and drug dealers coming into the area, the high school was a point of pride for the District and City as it remained a draw for black families seeking suburban-style education without moving there.[10]
Beginning in the 1990s, the district began its decline with the closing of its pool that state-champions used to train in. With students slowing began to leave. Cuts to programs both academic and after-school accrued yearly. In 1996, another hit came in the closing of Highland Park Community College.[10] Deficit spending and deterioration of the buildings began setting in during the 2000s.[10]
In 2003, 45% of the district's students did not live in Highland Park. This prevented significant closings of schools, prevented a state takeover, and added $2 million to the district's budget. Sally Howell, author of "Competing for Muslims: New Strategies for Urban Renewal in Detroit", wrote that "Many of the non-resident students who matriculated in Highland Park had serious disciplinary, academic, or personal problems."[9] In 2006 the district had over 3,000 students.[11] After 2007, student enrollment has dropped off quickly with families either leaving the District altogether or transfer the students elsewhere.[10] In 2012 there were fewer than 1,000 students in the district schools.[11]
Efforts to attract Arab and Muslim students
[edit]In 2005 the district made plans to attract Arab and Muslim students resident in Detroit and Hamtramck.[12] Dr. Theresa Saunders, the superintendent of the school system, hired Yahya Alkebsi (Arabic: يحيى الكبسي), a Yemeni-American educator, as the district's Arab Muslim consultant. It added Arabic-speaking teachers, and began offering instruction in Arabic. Sallow Howell, author of "Competing for Muslims: New Strategies for Urban Renewal in Detroit", said that the district began treating "Muslim families more directly like consumers".[13] Howell said that the district agreed "to segregate Muslim students from mainstream classrooms" but that the district routinely denied that this was the case.[13] Alkebsi said that he would bring halal food to HPS schools, but he was unable to do so. The district instead had vegetarian options.[14]
Financial emergency
[edit]In January 2012, the State of Michigan's review team issued a report recommending that the Governor appoint an emergency manager. The team found that the District had 3 or more years of deficit spending, failed to spend money according to grant and appropriations and failure to have policy and procedures in place.[15] The School Board voted to challenge the appointment of an Emergency Manager. On Monday January 30, 2012, Emergency Manager Jack Martin appointed by Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder took control of the School District.
Robert Davis, a community activist, had embezzled over $125,000 from the district between 2004 and 2010. He pleaded guilty to two charges: filing a false tax return and conversion. The latter charge has a 10-year sentence. He was scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2014.[16]
Charter system
[edit]In August 2012, the charter academy system entered into a contract with the Leona Group LLC.[7] The original school district remained to pay off debts and collect tax revenue.[17] The Highland Park Schools district has an elected board with no capability of influencing the decisions made by the charter schools authorized by it. In 2014 the Highland Park Public School Academy System had a deficit of $600,000. None of this debt was incurred by the original Highland Park School District.[18]
In 2015 the emergency manager, Don Weatherspoon, announced that the Leona-controlled district was closing its high school.[17] Bert Johnson, a member of the Michigan Senate; and LaTanya Garrett, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, said that they were trying to reopen the high school.[19] The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit saying that the district was failing to provide an adequate level of education. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that the legal system is not the proper place for this lawsuit and the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear the case.[20]
In 2016, the other charter school authorized by Highland Park Schools, George Washington Carver Academy, announced that it was switching its authorizer to Bay Mills Community College, causing the school district to lose $125,000 in yearly revenue it had received for the school's operations. The district previously received 3% of the money the State of Michigan gave to the school per student; the state gave $7,300 per student at Carver. This left the Highland Park Public School Academy as the only school authorized by the Highland Park school district.[18] Receivership for the HP school district ended in 2018.[21][6]
In 2019 July, Highland Park Public School Academy System chose not to renew its contract with the for-profit Leona Group and chose the nonprofit Promise Schools as its charter operator until at least 2022.[22][6] By 2020, the district began seeking a charter operator to establish a new charter high school.[23][24]
Operations
[edit]The school district is currently headquartered at 12360 Woodward Avenue.[3] Previously the district was headquartered in the Henry Ford Campus.[25] It was also once headquartered at 20 Bartlett.[4]
Academics
[edit]![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2017) |
HPS developed the Career Academy, a program to allow under-achieving students to graduate from high school or to be certified for a GED.[9]
Schools
[edit]
- K-8
- Barber Preparatory Academy (formerly Highland Park Renaissance Academy, Barber Campus)
Defunct Schools
[edit]High schools:
- Highland Park Renaissance Academy High School Campus (formerly Highland Park Community High School)
- Old Highland Park High School - Closed in 2009, currently abandoned.
Primary schools:
- Cortland Elementary School[18] - repurposed as Highland Park Head Start.[citation needed]
- Ferris Elementary School - Currently abandoned as of 2019—slated to be razed.
- Highland Park Renaissance Academy Henry Ford Campus (formerly Henry Ford Academy and Henry Ford Elementary School)[10]
- Liberty Elementary School (formerly Liberty Focus Academy)
- Midland Elementary School - This school has been razed.
- Thompson Elementary School - Currently abandoned as of 2019—slated to be razed.
- Willard Elementary School - This school has been razed.
- Angell Elementary School On Gerald St. This school has been razed.
Other
[edit]K-8:
- George Washington Carver Academy (charted by Bay Mills Community College since 2016)
Notable alumni
[edit] |
- Telma Hopkins, actress
- Martha Scott, State Senator
- Reggie McKenzie, retired NFL player
- Ingrid Walton, better known as CoCo, WJLB morning co-host
- J. Douglas "Doug" Hollie, a 1980 graduate, retired NFL player[10]
References
[edit]- Howell, Sally. "Competing for Muslims: New Strategies for Urban Renewal in Detroit". Located in: Shryock, Andrew (editor). Islamophobia/Islamophilia: Beyond the Politics of Enemy and Friend. Indiana University Press, June 30, 2010. ISBN 0253004543, 9780253004543.
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Our Team". Barber Preparatory Academy. Barber Preparatory Academy. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ "Student Enrollment Counts Report". MI School Data. State of Michigan. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "About Us." Highland Park Schools. Retrieved on April 30, 2017. "The School District of the City of Highland Park Administrative Office mailing address is 12360 Woodward Avenue, Highland Park, MI 48203"
- ^ a b Home. () Highland Park Schools. September 29, 2008. Retrieved on November 5, 2012. "20 Bartlett Highland Park, MI 48203"
- ^ "THE REVISED SCHOOL CODE (EXCERPT), Act 451 of 1976". Michigan Legislature. Legislative Service Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c DeGrow, Ben. "A Seven-Year Switch: Charter Management Perils in the Troubled Highland Park District". Mackinac Center. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c "CONTRACTTO OPERATE A PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY - between -The School District of the City of Highland Park - and – The Highland Park Public School Academy System a Michigan Public School Academy" (PDF). Highland Park School District. School District of the City of Highland Park. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ "Enroll at DPS Community District Archived 2017-05-02 at the Wayback Machine." Detroit Public Schools. Retrieved on May 2, 2017. "All 8th grade students from Highland Park are encouraged to call Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Northwestern for enrollment."
- ^ a b c Howell, p. 219.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Foley, Aaron (February 2, 2012). "From state-of-the-art to state takeover: The rise and fall of Highland Park Public Schools". mlive.com. Retrieved February 2, 2012. ()
- ^ a b Lewis, Shawn D. "Schools pitch students, parents from Highland Park" (Archive). The Detroit News. June 9, 2015. Retrieved on July 6, 2015.
- ^ Cecil, Angel. "HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOLS SEEK MORE ARAB, MUSLIM STUDENTS." Detroit Free Press. January 28, 2005. News p. B2. Retrieved on September 8, 2013. byline says: "HAMTRAMCK, DETROIT INTEND TO KEEP THEM"
- ^ a b Howell, p. 220. "HPS, like a dozen or more local charter schools, sought to outmaneuver more experienced districts by[...] and agreeing to segregate Muslim students from mainstream classrooms, a policy that is routinely denied in Highland Park but is also very much on display in local charter schools."
- ^ Howell, p. 223.
- ^ "Panel recommends emergency manager for Highland Park School District". Detroit Free Press. January 4, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ "Activist Robert Davis Pleads To Federal Charges In Highland Park Schools Theft Case" (Archive) Detroit CBS. September 2, 2014. Retrieved on September 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Bethencourt, Daniel. "Highland Park parents seek options as high school shuts" (Archive). Detroit Free Press. June 8, 2015. Retrieved on July 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c Guyette, Curt (American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan) (July 6, 2016). "The disappearing district: what's happened to Highland Park schools?". Metro Times. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ Neher, Jake. "As schools open across state, lawmakers work to reopen Highland Park high school" (Archive). Michigan Radio. September 7, 2015. Retrieved on November 24, 2015.
- ^ Pluta, Rick. "Michigan Supreme Court won't take up “right to read” case against state, Highland Park schools" (Archive). Michigan Radio. September 25, 2015. Retrieved on November 25, 2015.
- ^ "Board President Ramsey:." Sent from the State of Michigan. May 21, 2018. Retrieved on September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Management Contract with Promise Schools" (PDF). Highland Park School District. School District of the City of Highland Park. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ Higgins, Lori (February 14, 2020). "Five years after its high school closed, the Highland Park district is seeking charter operators to build anew". Chalkbeat Detroit.
- ^ "DocumentCloud". DocumentCloud.
- ^ "About Us." Highland Park Schools. Retrieved on July 3, 2015. "The School District of the City of Highland Park Administrative Offices are located at 131 Pilgrim Street, Highland Park, MI 48203" and "Henry Ford Campus: 131 Pilgirm [sic]"
Further reading
[edit]- Feldscher, Kyle. "Highland Park schools to no longer offer classes to high school students." Mlive. May 8, 2015.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Highland Park Schools.
- School District of the City of Highland Park
- Understanding the Financial Emergency in Highland Park Schools - State of Michigan
- "Highland Park Schools" - Collection of articles from Michigan Radio
- School district map - Michigan Department of Information Technology Center for Geographic Information. Older map from August 31, 2009.