A Lansing charter school that specialized in Afrocentric studies is shutting down at the end of the month.
Central Michigan University will not renew its charter contract with El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Academy. CMU says the school’s consistently poor state assessment scores drove its decision.
Standardized test scores dating back to 2016 show El-Shabazz students ranked far below the state average in reading and math.
Janelle Brzezinski is director of communications for the John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University. She says CMU informed the school board of its decision in early May.
“At that time, we offered our assistance to the academy, if they would like any help with transition services to the students…and at that time, there’s been no further board action taken.”
School board president Cordree McConnell says her team is working with the Lansing community to help displaced students enroll in city schools next fall. The academy’s contract with CMU expires on June 30.