For over a decade, Detroit Achievement Academy School District, a 2023 Yass Prize Finalist, has been a trailblazer in education, driving innovation and change while nurturing students to become change-makers themselves. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade across the city, Detroit Prep is the most diverse school in the area and prides itself on its outstanding approach to teaching and learning. Now, with a Yass Prize Finalist Award, Founder and Executive Director Kyle Smitley aims to amplify this impact by developing a replicable toolkit for 500 founders interested in launching similar schools and providing support for their growth.
Our day at Detroit Prep began with classroom visits, offering glimpses into dynamic learning environments. Teachers engage students daily in hands-on learning with students approaching challenges and projects as scientists, urban planners, historians, and activists, delving into real community issues and crafting innovative, actionable solutions. By inviting students to be the drivers of their learning while focusing on whole-child development and family and community engagement, it is no surprise that 100% of their 8th graders secure acceptance into their first-choice high schools. Further, the past three classes of graduating 8th graders have been accepted into a state university tuition free.
When we sat down with a group of Light Leaders, we were blown away by how passionate they were about their self-driven growth and personal achievements. Light Leaders are anonymously nominated by their peers for being exemplars of one of the school’s pillars of character. They find out about their leadership assignment during a private ceremony that involves parents or legal guardians surprising them by walking into the room. Gabe, a Light Leader, shared that being recognized in this way “made me feel good and incredibly happy, motivating me to continue trying to be the best person and learner I can be.” This anecdote is just one of many stories shared by students, illustrating the support, validation, and challenge they experience as students at Detroit Prep.
As Christopher, a parent of two shared, “Our kids are not just becoming great students but are also becoming virtuous. I believe, in society, that if you have a built-in sense of virtue, you can do anything.”
The highlight of the day was the Detroit Prep Parent Chat, where parents and educators gathered over coffee and pastries to connect and share about their experiences. As one parent aptly put it, “I always feel like the door is open here.” This sentiment was echoed through Edward’s story, who was a UPS driver when Detroit Prep operated in the basement of a church. Now his child is a student at Detroit Prep because with every package he delivered, he had a chance to see how his child could thrive in this community, too.
Detroit Prep stands as a testament to resilience and innovation, much like the dynamic city it calls home. Every moment of our visit reminded us of the limitless potential within every student and community when innovation is embraced, and we are eager to see how their toolkit impacts other school founders, paving the way for transformation in Detroit and beyond.