Our Partners
Together We Launched An Acclaimed School, And Ultimately Sparked A National Movement
The Henry Ford Academy, which opened in 1997, is the nation's first charter school developed by a partnership between public education, a global corporation and a world- renowned nonprofit cultural institution.
Located inside the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village attractions at The Henry Ford and surrounded by the campus of Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, HFA-Dearborn's mission is to prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working
together is success."
- Henry Ford
Ford Motor Company - Founding Partner
www.ford.com
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. Ford is committed to creating partnerships that lead to educational reform.
Ford contributes substantial input to HFA-Dearborn -- but the true power of the Academy lies in the direct, hands-on involvement of more than 400 individual Ford employees who serve as tutors, mentors, lecturers, curriculum advisors, student project sponsors, project partners, and coaches for thousands of hours each year. Ford volunteers serve all 390 students and their families, and the 32 Academy teachers, administrators and support staff.
Ford executives also facilitate additional community relationships and serve on HFA- Dearborn's Board of Directors to guide the school in the fulfillment of its mission.
The Henry Ford - Founding Partner
www.thehenryford.org
The Henry Ford is the history destination that brings the American Experience to life. With a rich and diverse offering of exhibits, demonstrations, programs and reenactments, The Henry Ford celebrates yesterday's traditions as well as today's innovations.
As HFA-Dearborn's host institution, The Henry Ford provides students with a truly public high school experience that has a tremendous impact on their personal and academic development. Academy students are expected to learn and work in this diverse and mature setting. They interact with people from all over the nation and the world and maintain high standards of personal conduct. Their very presence in the larger organization exposes them to a much broader spectrum of people than you would find in the traditional, stand- alone high school. Furthermore, students are frequently called upon to provide assistance to visitors, collaborate with museum staff on joint events and serve as unofficial ambassadors of the organization simply by their presence on-site.
Employees from The Henry Ford serve as content advisors in curriculum writing and implementation, serve as Adult Partners for internships and as tutors. Executives from The Henry Ford also facilitate additional community relationships and serve on HFA- Dearborn's Board of Directors to guide the school in the fulfillment of its mission.
Wayne County Resa - Chartering Agency
www.resa.net
Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) is the intermediate school district in Wayne County, Michigan, and the agency responsible for granting the Academy's charter. RESA provides HFA-Dearborn with assistance in the fields of administrative procedures, curriculum design, special education, state and federal reporting, student and staff recruiting, management of its student database, professional development for teachers, and guidance on legal/student issues.
Additional Partnerships
Higher Education institutionsPublic School Districts districts
City of Dearborn departments
A Foundation For A National Network
HFA-Dearborn has a unique history, distinctive founding partnership, and extensive portfolio of results that distinguish it from other models in the national education reform landscape. These leaders and pioneers encourage other organizations to take responsibility for education and become an HFLI partner. Fuel the growth of a powerful national movement that has a shared sense of mission, purpose, and vision about transforming education in America.
