My (abbreviated) Detroit Prep Story

Like most families living in Detroit, we didn’t want to move out of the city when Hudson was old enough to enter Kindergarten. Believers in public education, we made every effort to enroll him in DPS. We went so far as to buy a home in the neighborhood of the elementary school we thought he would attend. We’d heard rave reviews. We went on a school tour and it seemed great. We applied and that’s where it all fell apart. This isn’t an essay to recap our struggle with DPS, but that process went so poorly that we gave up on the idea all together. We were back at square one, trying to figure out what school Hudson would attend the following fall and like most families living in Detroit, it was overwhelming. 

One morning over coffee, Jill mentioned a new charter that was opening in Indian Village. They were having an open house and she thought we should go check it out. 

“I’m opposed to charter schools,” I said dismissively. 

“Me too. But, I’ve heard good things about their other school that’s now in its fifth year. I think we should go check it out.” 

“Fine.” 

We met Jen and Kyle, the two founders and it took about ninety seconds into their presentation for the decision to be made. These two ladies were so impressive and dynamic. They each came from different backgrounds and thus brought unique skills and leadership to their respective roles. I wasn’t even sure I remembered the name of the school, but I looked at Jill and we both nodded in agreement, this was it. 

After the presentation they offered to take us downstairs and see the basement, which would be used as the school for the first two years. They both apologized repeatedly and assured us it was going to look like a school before the year started. I wasn’t sure how they were going to do it, but I didn’t have any doubts that they had it under control. When we showed up for an orientation session, it was a completely transformed space and that little basement became a home for our son and so many of his peers for the next three years.

Detroit Prep turned out to be everything I wanted for my son in a school. Great leadership you can trust. Teachers who obviously care deeply. A curriculum designed to be engaging and build character skills beyond academics. But most importantly, and one of the main reasons we didn’t want to move to the suburbs, is the school was filled with students who didn’t look exactly like my kid. The diversity of faces and backgrounds that would, as I believe, lead to a more enriching life experience was one I was thankful for each time I dropped him off in the morning and watched him run into the school. 

We moved just before Detroit Prep’s first school year in the beautiful Joyce Elementary School which will be their forever home. I’ve had so many bar room rants about the legal fight required just to be able to purchase the building my friends have assured me they’re on my side. But that’s what this leadership does and that’s why I think raising these funds to ensure this building gets finished is so important. The founding students and future generations of Detroit youth deserve a world class education without having to commute outside of the city limits and that’s exactly what Detroit Prep provides. When deciding to move, Detroit Prep was the model that we used to compare future schools for Hudson and it always will be. I’m forever grateful that Jill insisted we go to that open house. It was one of the best decisions we ever made.

So, why’d you read all that? Because I have an ask. I’m going to run 150 miles in 10 days as part of their Summer Recess fundraiser. Plenty of people have bet against Detroit kids for a long time. Don’t make that mistake. Bet against me. Bet me $100 I can’t run 150 miles in 10 days. By doing that, you’re betting on these kids and on this school. It’s the best bet you’ll make all year.