The Catherine Ferguson Academy for pregnant teens was to be closed by the Detroit School District due to financial constraints. Principal Asenath Andrews says she already had her office packed when she learned that a last minute charter plan would save the school from closing.
Ferguson Academy has been educating teen mothers since 1988, and has a 90 percent graduation rate as well as high rate of college acceptance. Massive budget cuts would have caused the alternative public school to close had they not received funding from a private charter system.
WATCH PRINCIPAL ANDREWS HERE
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Although some would dub this only a half-victory because the school will no longer be a public one, Principal Andrews believes that the politics of a changing management is not nearly as important as being able to give teen mothers support and education. One future change Andrews is adamant about is financial security. She plans to certify that the school will not vulnerable to budget cuts again.
Ferguson Academy summer school will begin next Monday.