Henry Ford Collegiate Academy Welcomes First Class

Sixty-seven students at Dearborn Public Schools got their first taste of college life during the kick-off of the Henry Ford Collegiate Academy on Saturday.

The academy includes juniors from Edsel Ford, Fordson and Dearborn high schools who are enrolled in both college and secondary classes.

“These are the first students to enroll in our new program and we felt it was important to welcome them, give them a chance to meet their classmates from the other high schools, and start building friendships," said Robin Armstrong, HFCA counselor.

Saturday's orientation featured a tour of the Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) campus and workshops focused on college success.

Unlike other five-year programs that begin in the ninth grade and focus on a particular field of study, such as health care, the Collegiate Academy begins in 11th grade and provides students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree in liberal arts or science. Eligibility is based on the scores students achieve on the PLAN test taken in the spring of their sophomore year.

Of the sophomores who took the test last school year, only 172 out of 1,686 qualified in all three sections — English, math and reading.

"We're hoping that we'll continue to see that number rise in the coming years," said Dr. Gail Shenkman, associate superintendent of secondary education.

"This program gives students and parents a big incentive to do well in the classroom," she said.

In their junior year, students will take one class at HFCC. Then, in the following two years, students will take substantially all of their courses at the college as they work towards a degree. However, at their home high school, students can still be involved through their senior year in athletics, band, homecoming, prom, commencement and all the other activities associated with the high school experience.

"It was important to us when we developed the academy to make sure students didn't lose that high school experience," Armstrong said.

In addition, students receive access to all of the programs and counseling support at HFCC in order to transfer to a four-year college or university upon completion of their associate’s degree. Tuition, fees and books are paid for through a portion of state and federal funding Dearborn Public Schools receives.

HFCC President Stan Jensen said the college is happy to partner with Dearborn Public Schools and will look at partnerships with other districts in the future.

"This is a great opportunity; it really addresses some needs of students and of parents. Getting a high school diploma and an associate's degree in college after five years is a tremendous value," Jensen said. "At 19, a student has the potential to enter into their junior year at a university with no debt."

Superintendent Brian Whiston helped spearhead the program in Dearborn, and characterized the first class as "guinea pigs."

"As word of student success spreads, we expect interest to grow," he said. "That will give Dearborn an edge for families looking to move to a community with an outstanding educational system."

For more information on the Henry Ford Collegiate Academy, visit www.dearbornschools.org.