The Michigan Messenger - Latest Comments in “There’s no school.”

Re: “There’s no school.”

Minehaha Forman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:23:12 -0000

To clarify: Thanks, Ben, for your helpful comment. The figures I used were from person in my neighborhood who was trying to explain the public school problem. I will be sure to correct them.

However, I think the main problem is transport, and moving the kids around to the different schools. What was once a walkable trip now is a drive, and many people don't have cars. Also, no free school bus services this particular neighborhood.

Granted, of course there are still plenty of elementary schools in Detroit:

(http://www.schooldig...).

It's just a matter of accessibility and quality of the education. Of the five+ kids on my block, all of them attend charter schools or are home-schooled.

One mom on my street said she didn't know where Campbell academy was. There are so many charter schools available, the public city operated ones are buried and the education qulaity there, I imagine, is not stellar. The schools that most kids go to in the area: Detroit Merit Charter Academy, Chrysler Academy, Detroit Academy for Arts and Sciences ... all charter schools.

I truly appreciate your comment. I even called Campbell elementary to see what services they provide to neighborhoods that used Ferry elementary. A teacher answered and said there was no secretary or principal there today, and that I should "call back tomorrow" and hung up. I suppose I will call back tomorrow.

Re: “There’s no school.”

Ben Place — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:29:59 -0000

Detroit has no schools at all? I don't think so... I'm not saying DPS is peachy, but your piece fails some quick reality checks:

A quick Google found Campbell Elementary, which Google maps says is 1.3 miles away from Ferry Elementary.

There is no part of Detroit that is 20 miles away from Ferry Elementary in a straight line. 20 miles north out Mound Rd. is Utica; 20 miles east on I-94 is Mt Clemens; 20 miles west is Metro Airport; 20 miles south is Lake Erie, I think; 20 miles south on I-75 is Brownstown Twp.

There aren't any elementary schools in Detroit? Google says that's not true.

I enjoy your stories, I'm glad you're paying some attention to my city, I know you're new here, and I know everything feels really far from everything else here, but really! 20 miles?

Re: “There’s no school.”

LoRayne Apo-Joynt — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:51:07 -0000

State or Federal law violations? I wonder if there aren't guarantees that ensure students have access to public education?

Bothers me greatly that Detroit's literacy rate has been as low as 40%, yet massive holes like this exist in the education system.

Re: “There’s no school.”

Tony Collings — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:13:14 -0000

Depressing These pictures, and your good commentary, tell a depressing story that needs to be told. As a society we should be outraged.