Three hundred and thirty-eight students. That’s a lot of dreams packed into one building. This is Experiencia Preparatory Academy. Right here on Selden Street in Detroit. It wasn’t always called Experiencia. Did you know it used to be Jefferson Intermediate School?
Experiencia Preparatory Academy serves students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. It’s a public school. A vital part of this community. But it faces challenges. The school’s test scores lag behind the Michigan state average. Math proficiency is below 5 percent. Reading proficiency hovers between 6 and 9 percent. That’s far lower than the state average of 38 percent and 50 percent respectively.
The student-teacher ratio is 18:1. That’s higher than the state average of 17:1. It means more students per teacher. More pressure on everyone. But despite these statistics Experiencia Preparatory Academy continues to strive. It’s a school with a predominantly Hispanic student body. Sixty-five percent of students are Hispanic. Thirty-one percent are Black. Only 2 percent are White. Another 2 percent identify as two or more races.
The school’s unique learning approach focuses on developing the whole child. It emphasizes mastery of knowledge and skills alongside character development. There’s a strong emphasis on hands-on collaborative learning and social-emotional curriculum. Experiencia’s curriculum is designed around the principles of self-discovery. It fosters curiosity and a sense of responsibility for learning. It aims to create an empathetic environment. It integrates individual and group work. It promotes diversity and inclusion.
Experiencia Preparatory Academy is more than just numbers and statistics. It is a place of learning and growth. It is a microcosm of Detroit’s vibrant culture and diversity. It’s a beacon of hope for its students. For the future of this city. It is a place where dreams are nurtured and futures are shaped. A testament to the resilience of the Detroit community. A school that strives to overcome challenges. A school that never gives up. This is Experiencia Preparatory Academy. Remember its story.