Principal Salwa Kinsey spoke with scholars about how the accomplishment was a testament to the dedication of everyone in Pembroke’s community.
“I am just so proud of Team Pembroke and every single educator in this building for all we have accomplished together, as a team united,” Kinsey shared. “This honor is inclusive of our students and parents, as well. It truly takes a genuine spirit of positive partnership to achieve not only Blue Ribbon status, but also all we have collectively accomplished together as a school family, with all of us rowing in the same direction for the success of our scholars, school, and community.”
Pembroke Academy Principal Salwa Kinsey speaks during the school-wide assembly.
Pembroke became the fourth city of Detroit elementary school to receive Blue Ribbon status and the first since 2001 to earn the accolade. The school earned the added distinction of an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School. Schools with this recognition are ones that excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Representatives from several of the Pembroke’s partners were at the school to join in celebration. Rhonda Welsh, Central Michigan University’s executive director for Detroit outreach, spoke to students about how proud the school’s authorizer is of this accomplishment. Detroit City Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway was also in attendance to present the school with the Spirit of Detroit award.
Detroit City Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway presents Pembroke Academy Principal Salwa Kinsey with the Spirit of Detroit Award.
National Heritage Academies (NHA) Founder J.C. Huizenga, President and Chief Learning Officer Nick Sheltrown, and CEO Jason Pater supported scholars and gave words of encouragement. Huizenga commended scholars’ perseverance and commitment to excellence.
“I’m proud of each one of you and what you have achieved,” Huizenga shared with students. “You have an amazing faculty and a rockstar principal.”
From left: Pembroke Academy students Morgan Webster and Khalil Watts present National Heritage Academies founder J.C. Huizenga with a gift of thank you cards from the student body.
After being showered with gratitude, Pembroke scholars took the microphone and offered their own thanks to Huizenga. Scholars Morgan Webster and Khalil Watts shared how Pembroke has improved their lives.
“Pembroke has shown me what a true innovative classroom is,” Webster said. “I have never been in a school this productive. This opportunity has shown me my true potential and given me the courage to apply for my dream high school.”
National Heritage Academies Founder J.C. Huizenga speaks to Pembroke Academy students after an assembly Monday, Oct. 21 to celebrate the school being awarded 2024 National Blue Ribbon School status.
“My parents put me in this school when it started, and I have loved it ever since,” Watts shared with NHA’s founder. “Pembroke Academy is perfect to me. Thank you for believing in this school and our teachers. Thank you for everything.”
Webster and Watts then presented Huizenga with a box full of thank you notes from Pembroke scholars. This display of gratitude shows Pembroke is not only teaching Moral Focus virtues, but scholars are also embodying them. It should come as no surprise that the school has outperformed the local district since it opened in 2018.
Congratulations, Pembroke!
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About Pembroke Academy
Pembroke Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Detroit, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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