Click here to review the JRLA Annual Education Report 2012-13
Detroit schools are in crisis and, consequently, students are not receiving the education necessary to prepare them for their future. When we opened our doors two years ago, we made a commitment to prepare all of our students to graduate college if they come to school every day and work hard. JRLA is on track to keep that commitment and in the coming school year, students will experience:
- A management team with a track record of graduating more than 90% of their students from high school, enrolling more than 90% in college, and preparing students to score high on the ACT
- A rigorous college prep academic program where students are prepared not only to get into college, but to complete college and earn a degree
- An extended school day and school year to compete with peers in a global economy and succeed in college
- Extensive college exposure and dual enrollment opportunities through a partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy
- A Summer Exploration Program with college visits, internships and enrichment opportunities
- An Advisor for every student who works with the student and his or her family over all four years of high school to keep them on track to succeed
- A strict discipline policy to create a culture where students can learn and feel secure
- A safe learning environment in a small school setting
- Interscholastic boys and girls basketball and cross country teams with more offerings coming soon
- School uniforms
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy is not for everyone. Only students who are willing to study hard and are serious about going to college should apply. Join us for weekly information sessions at the Academy every Wednesday at 6 pm to learn more.
Board of Directors Contracts with American Promise Schools division of New Urban Learning
May 6, 2013 (Detroit) — Jalen Rose, Founder and Board President of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, today announced the Board’s decision to hire the American Promise Schools division of New Urban Learning to manage the Detroit public charter school for the next three years.
“Bringing in this all-star team of educators with a track record in Detroit and Chicago of graduating more than 90% of their students of color from high school and sending more than 90% on to college strengthens the promise I made to Detroit families to provide a public school that will prepare all of its students to succeed in college,” Rose explained. “I’ve never been more confident that we will deliver on that promise.”
The American Promise Schools, a non-profit division of New Urban Learning, was created this year to help good urban schools become great, and to turnaround traditional public high schools that have been low performing for years. Its founders are veterans of the urban education reform movement:
Doug Ross, the President of the American Promise Schools, is the founder of the University Prep schools in Detroit that have consistently graduated their open enrollment students and enrolled them in college at rates between 90-100%. Mr. Ross was the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration, and served as the Chief Innovation Officer for the Detroit Public Schools.
Joe Tenbusch, who will serve as the Superintendent of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, is a Detroit native who founded and led the nationally acclaimed Rowe-Clark Academy of Science and Math. This high school is part of the Noble Street charter schools in Chicago that have prepared their African American and Hispanic students to earn an average of 21 on the ACT – a level of college readiness virtually no other open admissions urban public schools have attained.
Melissa Hamann, the CEO of the American Promise Schools, is a former Detroiter who worked on school reform in New York and Chicago before returning to Detroit where she served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Emergency Financial Managers Robert Bobb and Roy Roberts. Ms. Hamann will direct the operations for the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.
“Jalen Rose has been an inspirational figure in this community with his commitment to found a public school that gives each of its students the education they need for college and a real shot at the American Dream,” Joe Tenbusch explained. “I am very excited by the challenge of working with the school’s Board to take a good school here in Detroit and make it great.”