News Summary
Henry Ford Health has donated the former Kingswood Hospital to the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, marking a major expansion for the charter school. The 100-bed psychiatric facility will be renovated to serve as a new high school campus, enhancing educational opportunities for Detroit students. A $20 million capital campaign will support this initiative, which also aligns with broader health and education goals in the community.
Detroit – Henry Ford Health has announced the donation of the former Kingswood Hospital to the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA), marking a significant expansion for the charter school. The hospital, which is a 100-bed psychiatric facility located at 10300 W. Eight Mile Road, was closed in January 2025 after nearly six decades of service. This donation was unveiled during the annual Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Celebrity Golf Classic, a yearly event aimed at raising funds and visibility for the academy.
Spanning over 70,000 square feet, the Kingswood Hospital opened its doors in 1966, providing critical mental health services to the Detroit community. Henry Ford Health acquired the facility in 1986 and has now decided to donate it, which represents the first time the health organization has given away an entire former hospital building.
The JRLA plans to renovate the Kingswood facility to serve as their new high school campus. Renovations are expected to commence in late 2025 and be completed by the 2027-28 school year. The JRLA’s current building will be transformed into a middle school, enabling the charter school to welcome students in grades 6 through 8 for the first time, aiming to broaden its impact on the community and provide educational opportunities for more children.
In preparation for the renovation, a $20 million capital campaign will be launched to fund the conversion of the Kingswood facility into a fully functional school. At present, JRLA enrolls over 400 high school scholars and has celebrated around 1,000 graduates since its inception in 2011. The academy emphasizes the importance of supporting students who are academically underserved, specifically those who may enter high school below grade level.
Henry Ford Health’s participation in this initiative aligns with its broader strategy, which includes a $3 billion “Future of Health” megadevelopment in partnership with the Detroit Pistons organization and Michigan State University. This collaboration aims to enhance the health and educational landscape in Detroit, highlighting the health system’s commitment to promoting academic achievement and public well-being.
Bob Riney, the CEO of Henry Ford Health, noted the synergy between the missions of the health system and JRLA, focusing on the vital relationship between health and education. The Kingswood donation signifies a step towards supporting not only health but also academic success within the community, promoting an environment where students can thrive.
The excitement surrounding this new development is palpable, especially from Jalen Rose, co-founder of JRLA and a former NBA player. The expansive new campus represents a significant opportunity to influence more students and enhance educational access in Detroit. The JRLA is poised to make a lasting impact as it transitions into its new facilities, providing students with the resources necessary to achieve academic excellence and build a brighter future.
The transition to this new, renovated space is expected to significantly increase JRLA’s capacity to support its mission of academic success, allowing the academy to accommodate a larger number of students and enhance its educational programs.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
State of the People POWER Tour Stops in Detroit
Additional Resources
- Click on Detroit: Henry Ford’s First Automobile
- Free Press: Henry Ford Health Donates Hospital
- CBS News: Henry Ford Health Donations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Ford
- DBusiness: Henry Ford Health Donates Hospital
- Google Search: Jalen Rose Leadership Academy
