America is a contradiction. On the one hand it professes the love of God and the spirit of collectivism. On the other, it creates an underclass that scrapes and scrounges for mere survival.

One of the greatest challenges for this underclass is education. Studies show that in urban American cities, the graduation rates for students in lower socioeconomic levels are consistently lower than the national average. When one focuses on African Americans, especially males, the graduation disparity becomes even greater. More than half of all young Black men do not finish high school.

“We’re pumping out boys with no honest alternative,” said Gary Orfield, an education expert at Harvard and editor of “Dropouts in America,” adding “and, of course, their neighborhoods offer many other alternatives.”
Seeing the continued destruction of Black youth due largely to lack of education, Rev. Jim Holley, Ph.D., founder of the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences, partnered with Detroit Public Schools to provide real alternatives.

Holley founded Riverside Preparatory Middle College Academy (RPMCA), an alternative school that is committed to providing education opportunities to students 17 to 20.

Most of the RPMCA youth have been to at two to five high schools and some have even been banished from DPS.

A number of factors contribute to the deplorable situation, including absent parents, racism, the decline in blue-collar jobs and a subculture that glorifies negative attitudes and even violence.

“The dropout rate in Detroit continues to grow,” Holley said. “The school system has been failing children because it is all about politics. Teachers are unhappy, parents are unhappy, children are unhappy and the administrations were not working. Too many students are dropping out of school and are not prepared for the job market or college. This is not to say that the present administration isn’t trying to remedy the situation.”

There has been much speculation that DPS would not continue to partner with contract or alternative schools. No matter, Holley strongly believes that his mission is just.

“Students need an institution that recognizes that the dropout rate is due to more than the curriculum or academics,” said Holley. “We make graduating possible by dealing with life problems like transportation, food, babysitters, mentors, jobs, etc. We try to identify our students’ issues and give them real solutions for their real issues so they can attend school and graduate.”

RPMCA provides a solid curriculum in a friendly environment at the Historic Little Rock Resource Center (formerly the Lighthouse Cathedral) on 8801 Woodward. Areas of study include mathematics, science, English, social studies, computer technology, creative writing, journalism, physical education and career preparation.

The alternative high school is tuition-free. Classes meet Monday through Friday. Students take seven classes daily that meet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Transportation and lunch are provided.
RPMCA has 17 students that are candidates for graduation in 2008. Potential graduates will have their high school diplomas endorsed by DPS.
“Going back to school at Riverside really opened my eyes to a lot of things,” said Chenard King, 20, a candidate for graduation. “I needed some male leadership and I got it here and it helped me focus on positioning myself in a way that I’m staying away from the dumb stuff.”

Elisha Dykes, 18, another 2008 graduation candidate, said, “It was hard for me because I have a child. The school really worked with me and pushed me to stay on point and get it done.”

Candidate Dajuan Milt, 19, noted that the smaller class sizes and one-on-one attention led him to change his attitude and study habits.

“The teachers worked real hard to help us succeed,” said candidate Jacoby Martin, 20. “People call this an alternative school, but I look at it like a home away from home, because I felt relaxed in this atmosphere.”

There are those who say contract or alternative schools will not make a difference in kids’ lives, but Holley points to the fact RPMCA has produced 17 candidates for DPS diplomas as proof.

“When we first started, our students didn’t see a future,” Holley said. “We build their self-esteem and created a foundation for success, which in turn has given them the drive to succeed. We make sure students have hands-on experience, internships, and when they graduate we give them the tools and relationships necessary to transition into the workplace and/or attend college. We focus on teaching our students that they have the power, purpose and ability to achieve.

“Society has given up on so many youth today. But at RPMCA our staff is committed, patient and determined to make a difference in their future.”

Dr. Brenda Smith, principal, added, “We are committed to providing rigorous and relevant curriculum, but we also understand the unique needs that many of our students have.”

Anyone having questions pertaining to Riverside Preparatory Middle College Academy is asked to contact L. Shannon at (313) 871-1777.