Universal Learning Academy

Universal Learning Academy is a charter school in Westland, Michigan, in the Detroit metropolitan area, serving grades Kindergarten through 12.[1]

Universal Learning Academy
Address
Map
28015 Joy Road

,
48185

United States
Coordinates42°21′17″N 83°19′06″W / 42.354669°N 83.31827390000001°W / 42.354669; -83.31827390000001
Information
TypeCharter school
Established2004
FounderNawal Hamadeh
AuthorityBay Mills Community College
SuperintendentNawal Hamadeh
PresidentHassan Alaouie
PrincipalLayal Boussi
Teaching staff41.14 (on a FTE basis)
GradesK-12
Enrollment702 (2014-2015)
Student to teacher ratio17.06
Websitewww.ulapsa.org
[1][2][3]

History edit

It was established in 2004 by Hamadeh Educational Services, a company created by Lebanese American woman Nawal Hamadeh.[4]

Previously the school had a main campus and a kindergarten campus, both in Dearborn Heights.[5] The current campus for all grade levels, in Westland, opened on November 18, 2011.[6]

Academics edit

Universal Learning Academy offers instruction in Arabic to students in grades K-5.[7]

Demographics edit

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the enrollment for the 2014–2015 school year was 702 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. 51.0% were male and 49.0% were female. Native Americans and Alaskans made up 0.1% of the enrollment; Asians and Pacific islanders 1.3%; blacks 9.5%; Hispanics of all racial makeup 1.9%; whites 85.3%. Students claiming a multi-racial background made up 1.9% of the enrollment. 84.6% of the student body were eligible for free or reduced lunch. This is a Title I school.[1]

Nada Saab, Arabic Language Department Director of Hamadeh Educational Services, stated in a letter to the editor published in The Language Educator in 2007 that "over 90% of its students come from Middle Eastern and/or Arabic [sic] background."[3]

Athletics edit

The Universal Learning Academy Blue Jays participate in three Michigan High School Athletic Association sanctioned sports - soccer for boys, volleyball for girls and basketball for both boys and girls. The school colors are blue, gold and white. Universal Learning Academy is not affiliated with a conference.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Universal Learning Academy". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b "MHSAA > Schools". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b Saab, Nada (Hamadeh Educational Services Arabic Language Department Director). Letter to the Editor. Published in: The Language Educator, Volumes 2-3. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 2007. p. 6. "Universal Learning Academy has been authorized by Bay Mills Community College since 2004 and currently operates grades K-3 (eventually K-12), and over 90% of its students come from Middle Eastern and/or Arabic [sic] background."
  4. ^ Farhat, Zahraa (2017-07-07). "Nawal Hamadeh: Education is my passion". The Arab American News. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  5. ^ "Locations." Universal Learning Academy. May 8, 2011. Retrieved on December 16, 2017. "Locations K-5 Building 24480 George St Dearborn Heights, MI 48127[...]Pre-K Building 22579 Ann Arbor Trail Dearborn Heights, MI 48127"
  6. ^ "Universal Learning Academy holds grand opening in Westland". The Arab American News. 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  7. ^ "Our Programs « Universal Learning Academy". www.ulapsa.org. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

External links edit