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Highland Park, a city just outside of Detroit’s borders, has seen its fair share of strife. However, the city may be in for an upturn as it introduces a measure that could bring the city a new high school. This small city is looking to come back in a major way and intends to begin with education.
With just under 9,000 residents, Highland Park is known for its industrial roots. The site of Henry Ford’s first factory, Highland Park’s innovation helped to light the spark for automobiles, housing and retail. Yet, it has fallen prey to crime, economic downturn and a great flight, leading to the departure of its residents for the suburbs. The educational system has also suffered, but now, thanks to the vision of local leaders and changemakers, Highland Park may be given new life in the form of higher learning.
“It originally started back in 2008 when we approved our educational plan, which included bringing a high school to Highland Park once again one day,” said Shamayim Harris, president of the Board of Education for Highland Park. “I think it’s very important. We raise families here in the city. I think that children are the center, children are the livelihood, children are the beauty and children represent growth.”
The Highland Park Board of Education is overseeing the initiative and has begun plans to bring hope to the city. With just two K-8 schools, which do not fall under its leadership, the Board of Education hopes the new high school will help to create a robust community through sports, music and other extracurricular activities.
“A high school is very much appropriate for people who are raising families who want their children to be educated where they live. I think that that’s the best thing. I think that every city has a high school. I think that Highland Park children deserve to be educated in their own city,” said Harris.
To help bring the vision of life, the Board of Education has created a High School Subcommittee, led by Chair Anthony Askew. Under the subcommittee, members will assess the city’s feasibility in opening a new high school including location, sustainability and community support.
“The full role of the subcommittee is to basically invite parents of the children who are in the schools, to bring about neighbors, the community, business owners so that they can have a part because this is so important. We don’t want to leave the community out,” said Harris. “We need to talk to alumni to see what we have so that we can incorporate just different ideas of the community.”
While plans to erect the building are in the beginning stages, the community will play a key role in its development. Encouraged to submit ideas residents, community activists and supporters are welcome to the table to bring the vision to life.
“Basically, we’re going to go out into the community so that they can actually help in that search and actually participate in helping to find a space for the high school,” said Harris. “We do have a couple of spaces that we’re looking into with our real estate person, so we’re just kind of in exploration. We’re seeing what’s feasible, what properties are available for us to further this endeavor and we’re going to include the community in every step of the way as we explore this.”
Slated to potentially open in 2024, the new high school will be a victory for Highland Park. Adding to the rich legacy of the city, the Board of Education is rebuilding with children and education at the helm.
“Most importantly, you have the beautiful scholars here in your own city. The children don’t have to go outside the city to go to school. They can stay here right at home,” said Harris. “I think overall it will just make the city more vibrant because we have more children. Children are first. I think that if we keep that in the forefront and we put that in the forefront and we make that our goal and focus, that school is going to be filled.”
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