DETROIT, June 25, 2012 -- Curtis L. Lewis, Ph.D. will lead the Public School Academies of Detroit Henry Ford Academy: Elementary School, a new K-5 public charter school opening with up to 360 students this fall. As founding principal, Dr. Lewis is responsible for developing and sustaining a learning environment at HFA: Elementary School that: prepares students to read, write, and do math at, or above, grade level; engages all students through project-based learning and design thinking; provides a firm foundation in art and design; cultivates strong parental support; incorporates community partners to create real-world learning experiences; and instills a love of learning.

“Dr. Lewis is passionate about the development of Henry Ford Academy: Elementary School as a stellar educational option for our students and a catalyst for a brighter future in Detroit’s greater Boston-Edison area,” said Deborah Parizek, Executive Director of Henry Ford Learning Institute. “We are delighted to welcome him to the Henry Ford Academy family.”

An accomplished urban educator who was recruited for other principal positions, Dr. Lewis was drawn to the unique opportunity to launch and sustain a new Henry Ford Academy for families in Detroit. He comes to HFA: Elementary School from Teach for America – Detroit, where he was most recently a manager of Teacher Leadership Development...(more)