A teacher at Haigh Elementary School releases a butterfly in the school’s community garden during the 2021 Summer Academic and Haigh Elementary and Henry Ford Early College, both part of Dearborn Public Schools, were recently named 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Early College and Haigh Elementary were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education Sept. 21.
The announcement brings Dearborn Public Schools to five National Blue Ribbon Schools in as many years.
Haigh has 530 students in Young Fives kindergarten through fifth grade. A neighborhood elementary, the school uses the Haigh Habits to help students develop independence and leadership skills for school and life outside of the classroom. Haigh also uses positive behavior interventions and supports to teach and reward good behavior and student success.
HFEC is an early middle college where students from across Wayne County are allowed to take classes for five years to earn both a high school diploma and associate degree in a health-care related field at no cost to their families.
Housed at Henry Ford College, HFEC has 240 students and is possible due to a partnership between the district, the college and Henry Ford Health System. The school, launched in 2007, was the first of what has grown to be four early middle college programs in Dearborn Public Schools.
“At HFEC, we believe that with the right customized support and intervention, all students will and can succeed,” HFEC Director Majed Fadlallah said. “Students enroll in a variety of health programs and are individually supported by a collaborative staff who live our vision of Students First.”
Only 325 schools nationwide, including 13 in Michigan, were named 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Blue Ribbon Schools are selected based on their overall academic excellence or their progress closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Both Haigh and HFEC were selected for overall academic excellence.
“I am so excited for the Haigh staff, students, and community to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School,” Haigh Principal Zachary Short said. “Our hard work as a team has allowed for student success both academically and socially. This is such a huge honor for Haigh, and I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved. We look forward to celebrating this massive accomplishment.”
Three other schools in the district were previously named National Blue Ribbon Schools: Iris Becker Elementary in 2017, STEM Middle School in 2018 and Charles A. Lindbergh Elementary in 2019.
Representatives from Dearborn Public Schools, Haigh and HFEC will be in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4 and 5 to receive the award from the Department of Education.
“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in announcing the awards at a school in Illinois. “I commend this and all of our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”