Like the neighborhood public schools of Grand Rapids, the academy, on the grounds of Gerald Ford Airport, receives $7,500 per student in state funding. This helps pay for its rigorous science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, curriculum and its faculty, including the four flight instructors on staff.
But it does not pay for the school’s two airplanes; many of its science, engineering and mathematics facilities; or its distinction as the only school in the country that offers flight instruction as part of the curriculum. Students can graduate and fly a plane before they can rent a car or legally have a beer.
How? The DeVoses alone have given more than $4 million to the school. Mr. DeVos donated an airplane from his private collection. Delta Air Lines donated another.
Source:
Green, E. L. (2017, June 14). Charter School founded by Devos family reflects National Tensions. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/politics/betsy-devos-west-michigan-aviation-academy.html?searchResultPosition=9
Analysis:
I think that this school is awesome! A high school where students can get their Private Pilots License. The world needs more schools that follow a similar model. Whether it is pilot’s license, CDL, real estate license, or any other form of formal certification. Its proven that its much easier to teach people when they are younger. Companies in the related industries are able to make investments in the children’s education. It is a smart investment because they are ensuring that their company has skilled workers for generations to come. The aviation industry is lacking in pilots because many of the more experienced pilots are retiring and there simply are not enough to fill the empty cockpits.
