Jalen Rose Recruiting Students For Global Economy Training

DETROIT (WWJ) - He's best known for his NBA success and his time at U of M as part of the Fab Five. Now he's concentrating his efforts in the education community.

Detroit native Jalen Rose is making his mark with students on the city's west side in the charter school he founded.

The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit is steadily growing.

"While I'm proud of the Fab Five and an All-American in college - I was a part of the deans list," said Rose."I did graduate from college so it was always important for me and I know that it's a vehicle that can turn around the fortunes of our city ... who has hit hard times over the past 10-15 years."

Rose and his team were talking to eighth grade students and parents at the Flagship Academy school about the next step after middle school.

"We are just one option that is out there," said Rose.

"Our school is tuition-free public charter - all of our students are chosen via lottery. We didn't segregate in any way shape or form; not by race, not by color, not by neighborhood," said Rose.

He went on to tell WWJ's Stephanie Davis that the school offers a longer school day, until 4 p.m. and longer school year.

"Any time you are asking about a longer day, until 4 p.m. with tutoring that could take you to 5:30 p.m., and a longer school year - I know that was probably something that I would have run from as a high school student but they should come to this school because it's an opportunity to compete in a global economy," he said.

The school has about 120 slots open in ninth grade and very few in the higher grades.

Find out more about the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy here.