Starting this winter, eighth graders interested in more careers will be able to apply for an early college program that allows students to get both a high school diploma and an associate degree or trade certification in five years at no cost to the family.
Dearborn Public Schools and Henry Ford College are revamping two schools involved in the Henry Ford Early College.
The current Henry Ford Early College will be renamed the Henry Ford Early College Health. The program will continue to focus on several medical careers, including offering students the chance to get hands-on experience at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. HFEC Health will continue as a partnership between the health system, the district, and college. It was the district’s first early middle college program.
A new Henry Ford Early College Liberal Arts will replace the current HFEC-Advanced Manufacturing school and HFEC College of Education program. Students accepted to the HFEC Liberal Arts can pursue any associate degree or trade certification offered at Henry Ford College.
“Reenvisioning our second school as HFEC Liberal Arts will allow us to expand opportunities and open the doors to a much broader group of students. Whether students have a clear vision of the career they want to pursue or are still exploring their interests, this program will provide the guidance, structure, and support needed to help them succeed,” said Marwan Salamey, principal of the Henry Ford Early Colleges. “Our goal is to help every student develop a clear, individualized pathway toward a degree, certification, or career while giving those who are undecided the opportunity to explore their options and discover the path that best aligns with their interests and goals. The fundamentals remain the same – students can chart a course to finish an associate’s degree or trade certification and already be a step ahead for the next phase of their lives, whether that is a professional career right out of high school or continuing on to a university.”
In both programs, students will attend school entirely on the Henry Ford College campus. Initially, students will attend high school classes in two district-owned buildings on the north edge of the college campus. As they progress through the program, students will shift into more college classes housed on the main college campus. HFEC Health will continue to accept 50 students a year, and HFEC Liberal Arts will take up to 100. Both programs are open to students who live outside of the Dearborn Public Schools District but still within Wayne County. HFEC Health reserves slots for children of Henry Ford Health System employees who qualify.
Last year, 131 Henry Ford Early College students graduated high school, with 86 percent earning an associate degree and 97 percent using the Michigan transfer agreement to continue on to a university. For those interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher, Henry Ford College has articulation agreements with different universities for several programs to ensure students can flow seamlessly into the next school.
Henry Ford Early College has received both state and national recognition for the success of its students, including a 2021 National Blue Ribbon Award.
“We don’t want our hands-on learners to be discouraged by the change to Liberal Arts,” Mr. Salamey said. “The trades and career certification programs offered at Henry Ford College are still an option for our HFEC students.”
Information for eighth grade students and parents
The Henry Ford Early Colleges announced the programming change ahead of meetings planned to help recruit next year’s incoming class.
Eighth graders in Dearborn Public Schools will learn more about two high school options during November and December. Parents are invited to attend the sessions at their child’s school or one of two sessions planned via Zoom on December 1 and 15.
The sessions will include information about the Henry Ford Early Colleges and the Dearborn Center for Math, Science, and Technology. For each of those programs, students will need to apply this winter if they want to start in the program as ninth graders next fall. For a more comprehensive list of high school programs, parents and students are encouraged to visit the high school options page on the district website or find a synopsis in the one page high school options flyer.
The Dearborn Center for Math, Science and Technology (DCMST) is a half-day program for high-achieving students interested in STEM topics. Students spend three class periods at their home high school – Fordson, Edsel Ford or Dearborn High – and are bused to and from DCMST at the Dearborn Heights Campus for the other half of the day.
Two Zoom sessions will also be offered for parents who cannot attend the daytime presentations at their child’s school and for parents who are considering transferring their child into Dearborn Public Schools for high school. A recording of the presentation, including the questions and answers, will be available after the event.
To participate in the Zoom session, please click on the session date below.
“Dearborn Public Schools is excited to expand the high school pathways available to our students through the creation of the HFEC Liberal Arts school,” said Superintendent Mike Esseily. “We are proud to offer our high school students a wide variety of programs to help them explore their interests and prepare for life after graduation, whether that is straight into a professional career or being competitive to get into their dream college. We encourage students and parents to learn more about our many high school options.”