OU-authorized charter school selected for national honor

The Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA), a charter school authorized by Oakland University, has been named among the first-ever U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.

As part of a federal recognition program that opened in September 2011, the Green Ribbon honors schools that exercise a comprehensive approach to creating "green" environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education.

"We really feel it is an honor to be awarded among the first to involve a new, innovative and creative way of teaching students 21st-Century skills about alternative and green sustainability," DEPSA Superintendent Ralph Bland told the Detroit News.

Nearly 100 nominees were submitted by 30 state education agencies, the District of Columbia and the Bureau of Indian Education. More than 350 schools completed applications to their state education agencies. DEPSA is one of only eight charters schools to be recognized, and the only one in Michigan.

“Oakland University is extremely pleased by DEPSA’s accomplishment and the educational programming, best practices, leadership and enriching learning experiences it provides to its students,” said Mildred Taylor, OU’s director of public school academies and urban partnerships.

“Our sponsorship of their efforts in protecting our quality of life demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting our youth, the environmental leaders of the future.”

The Green Ribbon award is a one-year recognition. Next year's competition will open in summer 2012. To learn more about Edison, visit detroitedisonpsa.org.