Digital Campus
It’s an extension of our campus at the Taubman Center. Here we provide online resources to support the day-to-day school-related needs of UPAD – Middle High School families and staff.
Digital Main Office
Our Main Office at the Taubman Center is a hub of activity, with a wealth of resources for families. Our digital Main Office doesn’t have the same personal touch, but it does put many resources right at busy families’ fingertips.
Principal’s Office
Contact Principal Lewis: Curtis Lewis, Ph.D here: lewis@hfascs.org
Principal Curtis Lewis Bio
Dr. Lewis is principal of Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies, Detroit’s premier art and design middle/high school, located in the heart of Detroit. He was also the founding principal of Henry Ford Academy: Elementary School located in the greater Boston-Edison area.
An accomplished urban educator, Dr. Lewis taught as a 5th grade teacher, middle school math teacher, and an alternative education teacher at the secondary level. After seven years of teaching, Dr. Lewis set his sights on impacting education at the administrative and collegiate levels. While in graduate school, he taught a myriad of courses at Michigan State University, coordinated an intervention program for first time youth offenders, and was director of a mentoring program for young males of color. He also served as a visiting instructor at the University of Michigan and as a Student Services Specialist with the Lansing School District. Dr. Lewis has presented his research findings in urban education at a host of conferences, most notably the American Education Research Association and Piaget Society Conference. Prior to his principalship at the Henry Ford Academies, he was Manager of Teacher Leadership Development for Teach for America for which he received the Core Value Team award for his unwavering commitment to effectively developing young educators. Dr. Lewis was recognized in the Michigan Chronicle’s 2013 40 Under 40 cohort.
Dr. Lewis is known nationally for his dedication to providing culturally-sensitive learning communities, and was selected to the third cohort of the nationally recognized America Achieves Fellowship for Teachers and Principals. He authored a chapter in “Mentoring African American Males: A Research Design Comparison Perspective” (2014). He actively participated in Ford’s Men of Courage inaugural event in Baltimore, which launched the national program committed to changing the narrative for African American males. In 2015, Dr. Lewis met with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, senior U.S. Department of Education officials, and White House officials for two days of learning and advising at the White House, as part of the Principals at ED effort. As a 2016 School Retool Fellow, Dr. Lewis collaborates with his cohort of Michigan school administrators, leaders from the Stanford d.School, IDEO, Henry Ford Learning Institute, to adopt research-based practices that lead to Deeper Learning. He will participate in the Leading Educator Program at the Arizona State University GSV Summit in May 2017 as a full scholarship recipient to learn in partnership with other superintendents, principals, and district innovation leaders.
Dr. Lewis earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and Doctoral degree in Education Policy and Curriculum Teaching – all from Michigan State University. He credits his educational experience at MSU for instilling in him a strong foundation in teacher development and math curriculum and instruction.
Counseling Center
From college preparation to student services, the counseling center provides resources and contacts to help students be successful now, and in the future. From college preparation to student services, the UPAD: MHS counseling program is designed to provide resources and contacts to help students be successful now, and in the future. The Counseling Center is designed to put some of those resources and contacts at families’ fingertips.
Special Education Office
To inquire about student referrals for special education services, please contact our Special Education Lead (to be named). Further information regarding the referral process is available on the Wayne RESA website.
College Transitions Office
Mr. John Johnson
College Transitions Counselor – johnjohnson@hfascs.org
School Social Work Office
Ms. Wanda Olugbala
Social Worker – wolugbal@hfascs.org
Guidance Office
Mr. Ryan Thomas
Guidance Counselor – rthomas@hfascs.org
Technology Plan
Click here to review the UPAD: MHS Technology Plan
HFA History
HFA: SCS opened on September 8, 2009 at the new A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in Detroit’s New Center area. Our school is a partnership led by Detroit’s College for Creative Studies (CCS), a world leader in art and design education, and Henry Ford Learning Institute (HFLI), a non-profit organization founded by Ford Motor Company Fund and The Henry Ford and dedicated to creating public schools in public spaces.
Learn more about our history
Founding Partners
Learn more about the College for Creative Studies and Henry Ford Learning Institute
Donors
HFA: SCS is grateful to be supported by a range of local and national donors.
Learn more about our donors.
Community Partners
Learn more about our community here.
Curriculum
The HFA: SCS school design is rooted in an expectation that all students will go to college, will have deeply explored their interests in careers, and will have developed an ability to be creative and innovative. Hands-on, project based learning and intensive art and design preparation leverages the people and resources of the College for Creative Studies and the broad community across Detroit.
Learn more about our curriculum and the HFA: SCS learning experience
Governance
As an achievement-focused Thompson Educational Foundation 90/90 school and part of the Public School Academies of Detroit system, HFA: SCS is committed to graduating at least 90 percent of its 9th grade students and sending at least 90 percent of graduates on to college. Our charter school is authorized by Grand Valley State University.
Learn more about governance of the school
Budget & Salary/Compensation Transparency Reporting
In accordance with Michigan Department of Education requirements HFA: SCS has posted a number of documents.
Review the budget transparency documents
CREW
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Map
For a map to HFA: SCS, clickhere.
Athletics Links
Activities Links
Clubs and Other After School Activities
Activities Contact
Ms. Akosua Burris
Director of Student Programs
nburris@hfascs.org
ext. 1104
HFA: SCS provides a broad range of after school activities that are tailored to meet our students’ interests. All students in the building after the end of a regular school day must be involved in a specific club, activity, athletics, or other program. An overview of our 2015-2016 offerings is below and may change for the 2016-2017 based on student interest.
Students interested in participating in after school activities should contact Ms. Burris (nburris@hfascs.org) for more information.
Athletics
Athletic Director
Mr. Andre Criswell acriswell@hfascs.org
Assistant Director
Mr. Abe Miller amiller@hfascs.org
HFA: SCS offers both male and female students the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive sports. During the 2016-2017 school year we will offer the following competitive sports:
Middle School
Fall – Girls Volleyball
Winter – Boys and Girls Basketball, Competitive Cheer
Spring – Track & Field
High School
Fall – Cross Country, Varsity Volleyball
Winter – Boys & Girls Basketball, Competitive Cheer
Spring – Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Flag Football
To participate in competitive team sports ad student must:
1) be in good academic standing;
2) submit a physical exam form completed by a physician; and
3) attend team tryouts. Students who earn a spot on any team must pay the participation fee for that sport prior to being able to compete. Parking for home athletic events is available in the visitors parking lot, located across the street from the Cass Avenue entrance (corner of Woodward and Baltimore).
Questions about HFA: SCS athletic programs can be directed to Mr. Criswell, our Athletic Director, or Mr. Miller, our Assistant Athletic Director.
POLICIES
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Maintaining regular and timely school attendance is critical to academic achievement and school success.
TARDINESS POLICY
DRESS CODE AND UNIFORMS
The purpose of the HFA: SCS dress code is to promote a positive, healthy and safe learning environment and to prepare students for the world of work. We are in the process of identifying a new uniform company for the 2018-19 school year; in the interim, please contact Ms. Burris (nburris@hfascs.org) with any questions about acquiring any required items for the current school year.
Emergency School Closings
During the winter season, there may be days where the school needs to close due to inclement weather conditions. On TV (Fox 2 News, WDIV Channel 4 News, and WXYZ Channel 7 News) our school will appear as “HFA: School for Creative Studies”. Download additional Emergency Snow Closing Information
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
SCHOOL DOCUMENTS
- Student Handbook
The HFA: SCS Student Handbook is a guide to assist students and parents in understanding our school’s policies and procedures. It is the responsibility of all staff, students, and their parents/guardians, to become familiar with the Student Handbook. Download the 2019-20 HFA: SCS District Student/Family Handbook - School Arrival and Departure Procedure
- School Student Ambassadors Application
APPLICATIONS/ORDER FORMS/INFO
- Parent Volunteer Application 18-19
- Fire Drill Schedule and Log
