RALPH C. BLAND
FOUNDER AND CEO
NEW PARADIGM FOR EDUCATION
Ralph Bland is Founder and CEO of New Paradigm For Education (NPFE), a non-profit charter management organization that operates in all phases of school design, planning and program implementation, and specializes in maximizing student learning potential through proven education practices.
Bland also currently serves as Superintendent of Detroit Edison Public School Academy DEPSA, the only single-campus pre-K through 12th grade college preparatory charter school in Detroit. Under his leadership, DEPSA became the first K-8th grade charter school in Michigan to win the prestigious Michigan Blue Ribbon Award, bestowed upon schools that exhibit growth exceeding state. DEPSA has also been recognized as a Skillman High Performing School, and named by the Center for Education Reform as one of the top 51 charter schools in the nation. In 2011, Bland spearheaded the opening of DEPSA’s new high school, the Early College of Excellence, which moved into its new, permanent facility on the DEPSA campus in the fall of 2012.
Bland has been recognized by Schools That Can for his outstanding and innovative leadership in this region for educational reform and strategic planning. He has been recognized nationally for his leadership in education reform and his passion for creating quality options that provide communities educational choice.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Kentucky State University, and a Physical Education and Health certification as well as a Masters Degree in Curriculum/Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
