Here's some "positive" information about the Detroit Public Schools you haven't heard a lot about in the mainstream media. The success of Detroit in producing Gates Millennium Scholars is bringing the nation's largest minority scholarship program to our city for its first Michigan Open House. The informational forum for high school students and parents is Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Cass Technical High School Auditorium (2201 Second Avenue, Detroit, 48201).
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program was created in 1999 by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates, of course, is the wealthy chairman of Microsoft, the software company he co-founded in 1975.
"The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential." The scholarships cover tuition, room, board, and other college expenses. They are valued in excess of $100,000 and can be used at whatever college or university the recipient chooses. Most importantly, the scholarships can be renewed through doctorate level academic programs. How's that for debt-free education in a terrible economic recession?
Now back to Detroit. Last year's class of Gates Millennium Scholars included 5 students from Cass Tech High. That was the school's second consecutive year producing 5 Gates Scholars. Overall, 13 DPS students out of 23 statewide were selected from Michigan. Only 1,000 students nationwide received this honor.
Unfortunately, too many people fall for the myth that high academic achievement can't be mastered by urban public school students. The outstanding track record of Gates Milennium Scholars from public school systems such as Detroit is proof that with significant support, these young scholars can become the future doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, business and religious leaders of our nation. But it all begins with Tuesday's GMS Open House at Cass Technical High School. Taking the time to attend, could be a life-changing opportunity for a promsing high school student!
For more information call (313) 873-1500 or visit
http://www.gmsp.org/ or
http://www.uncf.org/PLEASE DO NOT CALL CASS TECH. Their staff is busy teaching and their students are busy learning.
