Universal Learning Academy

Universal Learning Academy
Address
28015 Joy Road Westland , Michigan 48185 United States
Coordinates	42°21′17″N 83°19′06″W
Information
Type	Charter school
Established	2004
Founder	Nawal Hamadeh
Authority	Bay Mills Community College
Superintendent	Nawal Hamadeh
President	Hassan Alaouie
Principal	Layal Boussi
Teaching staff	41.14 (on a FTE basis)
Grades	K-12
Enrollment	702 (2014-2015)
Student to teacher ratio	17.06
Website	www.ulapsa.org
[1][2][3]

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

History

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

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

Demographics

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

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

1. "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Universal Learning Academy". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
2. "MHSAA > Schools". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
3. 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 (July 7, 2017). "Nawal Hamadeh: Education is my passion". The Arab American News. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
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. December 2, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
7. "Our Programs « Universal Learning Academy". www.ulapsa.org. Retrieved December 14, 2017.

External links

• Official website