The Michigan School-Aid Budget allocates funding for public education bodies, including traditional public and charter schools. While both entities provide 100% free and public education options to families across the state, charter schools and conventional public schools are NOT funded equally.  In addition, charter schools receive zero state funding for facilities.  

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On average, Michigan public charter schools receive about 20% less funding per pupil than conventional public schools, yet are 32% more cost-effective than the average conventional public schools in the same city. A new report found the funding disparity between traditional public schools and the public charter school counterparts in Detroit is $6,202 per pupil!  
(via Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers - 2023)

JRLA offers Detroit area students unique opportunities that they would not receive from any ordinary public school, which means we need to raise significant funds from private sources to bridge the gap and meet our ambitious educational goals.

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"Charter schools don’t have access to any funding for facilities, so they need to pay for everything out of their per-pupil foundation grant," Quisenberry told The Center Square in an email. "That puts charter school students at a huge disadvantage. Charter school students are public school students, and they deserve to be treated equitably." (Dan Quisenberry, President of MAPSA)

A $2,500 donation will help close the opportunity gap and give a JRLA Scholar:

• School-sponsored college visits and summer programs 

• Alumni support via our Postsecondary Success Team

• AP class offerings and dedicated SAT support

• Wide variety of competitive sports and extracurricular activities

• Real world experiences including an international trip and internship opportunities

• And so much more...