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DPS School Celebrates Upgrades

Detroit Public Schools is showing off an "upgraded" Marcus Garvey Academy with an expanded curriculum.

Uniform-clad students at east-side Elementary and Middle School now get two-hour blocks of Reading and Math, with pre-Algebra starting in 7th Grade.

Principal James Hearn tells WWJ's Mike Campbell the curriculum and facility upgrades put his school on par with the best of any in Southeast Michigan.

"We can have a world-class education here in Detroit on the east-side. It just begins with discipline and belief in the children. And, we believe our children can learn," Hearn said.

Hearn said Marcus Garvey's new security screening vestibule at the main entrance and cameras inside and outside of the school will make it easier to prevent problems and respond more quickly, if needed.

Hearn said the new system is part of the district-wide facilities upgrade that was promised with the voter-approved $509 million bond issue.

New text books, classroom computers and campus-wide Wi-Fi are also part of the upgrades.

More schools in the district are scheduled to receive similar upgrades throughout the school year.

 (Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio.  All Rights Reserved.)

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