Highland Park Renaissance Academy High School closes

School to close its doors due to struggles academically, organizationally, financially

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – In a district that's been struggling for years, there is now not enough enrollment to keep a high school open.

The school district of the city of Highland Park has announced that due to struggles academically, organizationally and financially, Highland Park Renaissance Academy High School will close its doors.

[READ: Letter to parents and students]

After Gov. Rick Snyder declared a financial emergency in 2012, legislation was passed that year to provide $4 million to help the school stay open.

In the 2012-2013 school year, the high school had more than 400 students in enrollment. It's now down to 160 and the charter company managing the high school has told the state it's just not economically feasible to keep the doors open.

"Our top priority is the wellbeing and education of Highland Park students," emergency manager Don Weatherspoon said. "We must ensure that our high school students have every opportunity for the education they need and deserve with the absolute least disruption possible."

District officials said students will have greater educational opportunities in larger, surrounding schools, and district leaders will assist families in finding new places to continue their children's education.

"Most of us were sad when we found out. It's just bull how they told us," said Diamond Taylor.

Taylor just finished up her freshman year at the high school. She loved most of her teachers, especially Mr. Connors, who she had for Language Arts.

Taylor's mother, Dominique Jackson, is also very disappointed the school is shuttering.

"Highland Park had her on track," Jackson said. "She was doing her work, her makeup work: she was a B average there."

Now all of the high school-age students will have Detroit Public Schools as their home school district and their credits will transfer. K-8 will not be affected.

An information session will be held June 8 for families to learn about other schools and districts and how to enroll their high school students in time for the upcoming school year. The session will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Ernest T. Ford Recreational Center at 10 Pitkin St.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association said there will be immediate eligibility with the fall season at any school chosen and accepted.

Leona Group leaders said they will now focus on grades kindergarten through eight.


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