In Brightmoor, Shawn Hill believes that seven habits can change a life.
She's the principal and director of the
Detroit Leadership Academy, which is run in partnership with the YMCA. It's one of the only schools in the nation --and the only Detroit school -- with a curriculum that places equal weight on academics and personal growth, inspired by Dr. Stephen Covey, author of the
7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
"We actually take these seven habits and integrate them into everything
we do. Unlike some schools, where they do character education,
everything we do, we're always talking about the seven habits," says Hill.
It's a different kind of school. Bright colored walls and carpeted floors. Students work at group tables, not desks; and stay with teachers for two years, instead of one. Even the playground and garden, built by the community and the students, fits into the DLA's philosophy. The students also have regular access to all of the
Boll Family Detroit YMCA's facilities. Serving a population where 85 percent of kids qualify for a free lunch, the YMCA also helps provide kids with everything from winter coats to a food pantry.
The school opened in September 2010. With 210 students already enrolled, Hill and the YMCA are looking toward expansion -- the Detroit Leadership Academy will offer pre-K and 6th grade to its roster next fall. Plans are already underway to build a second grade school in 2012 and a high school nearby.
"Partnering with an organization with the YMCA is what's going to set us apart and truly make a difference in the lives of the students," Hill says. "All of our students are about to go swim! Kids don't know how to swim, so we're going to take swimming classes at the Y. Everything that the Y has to offer, will be involved with our school. And the president of the Y said this is the future of the YMCA -- instead of just building community centers, we're gonna build schools."
Source: Shawn Hill, Principal and School Superintendent, Detroit Leadership Academy
Writer: Ashley C. Woods
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