Charter school will start new year in a new building

By David Piestrzynski
Special to The Review

Hanley International Academy is looking forward to unveiling its new campus to the Hamtramck community.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held this Tuesday at 9 a.m. at 2400 Denton, the charter school’s newly constructed school building.

Steve Paddock, Hanley’s assistant principal, said it’s important for the school to share the event with the people of Hamtramck.

“There’s a lot of pride in this community,” he said. “(Residents) keep the city close to their hearts.”

Hanley has sent out invitations for the ceremony to Hamtramck’s mayor, city council, members of the local business community, various state politicians and other people involved in the charter school movement.

The school, which covers pre-kindergarten through the 8th grade, was started in 2005 with an enrollment of about 200 students.
Since then, Hanley’s enrollment has increased to nearly 650 students.

The school was previously operated out of two different buildings. But when enrollment continued growing, Hanley’s management decided to purchase the property on Denton (the former office for the state Department of Human Services) and have a new facility built.

Paddock said Hamtramck’s diverse ethnic community has made it an ideal place for the Hanley Academy.

“Diversity is embraced at Hanley,” he said. “We draw upon that.”

More than 20 languages are spoken at the school. Paddock also said the Hanley Academy has a strong English Learner program included in its curriculum.

Hanley’s teachers are currently moving into their new classrooms as the building is prepared for this Tuesday‘s ceremony, when parents, students and the community of Hamtramck will get their first look at the school‘s new campus.