KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo Public Schools will be beginning the 10th year of the Kalamazoo Promise on Tuesday, the unique scholarship program that gives students enrolled with the district since kindergarten a full scholarship to any of Michigan’s state colleges.
The program has become the subject of several research studies and books, and is being watched by educators everywhere to determine if it works. Supt. Mike Rice believes the program has turned the district around — what used to be a steadily shrinking urban school district victimized by white flight is now growing and recharged, he said.
Crews have been scrubbing, painting and upgrading school buildings all summer, and facilities district-wide should be ready to roll Tuesday.
“I think it’s going to be a great school year, and I’m very excited about it,” he said. “I’m excited about our students coming back, and I’m looking forward to the 10th anniversary, all year, of the Kalamazoo Promise,” Rice said.
He also said its not too late to enroll students.
“To begin that process of beginning that Kalamazoo Promise scholarship for him or her, some of our schools and some of our grades are full-up at the end,” he said.
Celebrity greeters will once again be on hand to welcome students back to class Tuesday morning.
– John McNeill
