News Summary
The Detroit school district has approved Purpose Charter Academy, a charter school aimed at supporting at-risk students facing challenges like homelessness and chronic absenteeism. Slated to open for prekindergarten through eighth grade students in the 2026-27 school year, the school seeks to engage disconnected youth with targeted support and trauma-informed care. With an initial enrollment of 225 students projected to grow, this initiative aligns with the district’s commitment to vulnerable populations, addressing their unique educational needs.
Detroit – The Detroit school district has approved the establishment of a new charter school, Purpose Charter Academy, which is specifically designed to support at-risk students experiencing challenges such as homelessness, chronic absenteeism, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. The charter school is slated to open for prekindergarten through eighth grade students in the 2026-27 school year.
Purpose Charter Academy aims to “reengage disconnected youth,” according to the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). Upon opening, the charter school anticipates an enrollment of 225 students, which is projected to increase to 400 by the 2029-30 school year. This initiative comes as a part of DPSCD’s continued efforts to focus on vulnerable populations within the school system.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who has led the Detroit school system since 2017, has prioritized improving traditional public schools and has authorized fewer charter schools as part of this mission. Presently, more than half of school-age children in Detroit are enrolled in charter schools, with 62 such institutions currently operating in the city.
Vitti believes that the model proposed by Purpose Charter Academy addresses the critical needs of vulnerable student populations rather than competing for existing students within the district. The charter school plans to implement targeted interventions, wraparound support, and culturally responsive programming to ensure comprehensive educational needs are met. Staff at Purpose Charter Academy will receive specialized training in trauma-informed care to better serve their students.
Currently, DPSCD provides only one alternative education campus, serving grades 6-12, with no options available for younger students. The need for such a program is underscored by alarming statistics: Detroit has a poverty rate nearly three times the national average, and approximately 85% of DPSCD students come from low-income households. In the past year, there were around 455 children who experienced homelessness in the Detroit area, including Hamtramck and Highland Park. Additionally, over 60% of DPSCD students were classified as chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year.
Purpose Charter Academy will aim to integrate its services with local shelters, courts, and mental health providers, streamlining support for its students. Despite DPSCD’s limitations in implementing a similar model for K-8 alternative education due to funding constraints, Purpose Charter Academy plans to collaborate effectively with the district to facilitate the transition of students back into traditional schools when appropriate.
The development team for Purpose Charter Academy includes notable figures such as Michigan Third Circuit Court Judge Cylenthia LaToye Miller, attorney Lamar Moreland, as well as various educators and mental health practitioners. The team has yet to decide if the charter will be self-managed or operated by an external management company.
The Detroit district board has approved a three-year contract with Purpose Charter Academy, conditional upon meeting state requirements. A lease agreement has also been established, allowing the charter to utilize a vacant building previously occupied by the Detroit Lions Academy. Purpose Charter Academy will pay 9% of the per-pupil state funding for this lease by the 2028-29 school year, with an option to purchase the property available until August 2028.
As part of the charter school’s establishment, DPSCD will receive a 3% fee for authorizing Purpose Charter Academy, estimated at approximately $81,000 for the 2026-27 school year. This initiative reflects a strategic move to enhance educational opportunities for some of Detroit’s most vulnerable youth, aiming to improve their chances of academic success and stability.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Linda McMahon Tours Detroit Charter School
- CBS News: Linda McMahon Visits Pembroke Academy
- Detroit News: Education Secretary Linda McMahon Touts State Control
- Michigan Chronicle: Trump Secretary of Education to Visit Renaissance High School
- Wikipedia: Charter School
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
