I am studying in Monterrey, Mexico, but I cannot ignore the educational dilemma of my community in Detroit. The Detroit Public Schools district has continued its quest to close the doors of one of its most successful high schools. Sounds strange? Well, yes it's quite frankly outrageous. I have written the following article about the
situation:
DETROIT
Laws require students to attend school and society encourages them to excel.
Districts expect their schools to prepare students for higher education and provide education-friendly environments.
Taxpayers hope that schools will have both dedicated teachers and students.
What is the only expectation of a model school that exhibits all these characteristics? – to remain open.
During much of my high school career at Communication and Media Arts (CMA) High School, we were threatened by closures. Nevertheless, the persistent students, parents, and teachers fought relentlessly to keep it open. Never have I attended or observed another school with the determination and overall success-rate of CMA.
As an alumnus, I know that am I naturally biased. Yet I also know that education is the most powerful tool to prevent the poverty and urban demise that confronts Detroit’s youth on a daily basis.
Detroit’s population continues to fall, and subsequently the tax base will continue to shrink. Cutbacks amongst budgets throughout the city must be realized in order to ensure the city’s rebirth. Revitalization can be seen throughout the heart of the city. New construction has become commonplace. However, how have the lives of the young, urbanites improved? What hope will remain when their only source of advancement – their education – is stripped from them?
The students of CMA do not simply desire to attend school with their friends, but instead they are pleading for their lives. Lives are potentially at stake.
There are a few other model schools of D.P.S., including Renaissance HS and Cass Tech HS, but the reality is that the majority of the CMA students would be forced to attend mediocre to failing schools. In many respects, the success of CMA puts the school in a league of its own. The college-preparatory high school boasts a nearly 99% graduation rate amongst seniors, over 95% of whom attend institutions of higher education.
Moreover, the school is virtually crime-free. While students of other D.P.S. schools must endure gun violence and armed robberies, such crimes and even physical alternations are inexistent at CMA.
The mascot of Communication and Media Arts, the Pharaohs, is befitting. The school is a royal gem in the city. It has produced queen doctors and king attorneys. Detroit should pride itself for possessing this exemplary institution.
For additional information, visit
2 comments:
Ronald,
I am very sorry to hear about your high school closing. That does not make any sense! You are right -- in a city that is so dependent on education to improve, it seems silly to close one of the model high schools that is free if the problems most other schools in Detroit face. It is truly sad.
Thanks for writing this.
Post a Comment