Detroit High School Named Michigan’s Top Title I Distinguished School Four Additional Schools Recognized

April 22, 2009

LANSING – The Oakland International Academy High School located in Detroit was named the Michigan Title I Distinguished School for the 2008-2009 school year by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.

The high school was recognized for its exceptional student achievement growth over the past three years in both English language arts and mathematics. From 2005-06 to 2007-08 student achievement grew 85 percent in mathematics and 69 percent in English language arts.

Four additional schools: Detroit’s Carstens Elementary School; Saginaw Preparatory Academy; Homer Middle School; and Granville Elementary School were each recognized as one of the top five Title I Distinguished Schools in the state. Schools were selected by the Michigan Department of Education on the basis of student achievement gains in both mathematic and English language arts.

“These schools and their students have shown that strong leadership, hard work, and commitment to excellence result in greater student achievement,” Flanagan said. “I applaud their dedication, effort and progress.”

The Michigan Department of Education will present certificates of accomplishment to the five schools during the Michigan School Improvement Conference today in Novi.

Title I is the largest federal-aid program in K-12 education with more than $14 billion awarded annually through formula and discretionary grants to improve the academic achievement of high risk students.  Since 1965, the Title I program has served over 150 million children in need of extra academic support in reading, writing, and math.

Oakland International Academy was one of 57 national Title I school winners (representing 36 states) recognized at the National Association of State Title I Directors annual conference in February.