Saginaw Covenant Academy has had great success in helping students turn their lives around.
Community members and teachers credit the masterful job of School Leader Devon Gilliam for helping make this happen.
The school helps prevent youth homelessness and youth incarceration by providing educational opportunities and other services.
"Our main focus is dealing with high school drop-outs," Devon said. "They're all different. For me, the individuality of each student is what I focus on."
Devon focuses on relationship building, absolute personal responsibility, and unconditional love.
"We focus on positive intervention," Devon said, who has been with Saginaw Covenant since its inception four years ago.
The school for ninth-through-12th grade students who are between the ages of 16 to 22. About 25% of the students also have learning disabilities identified in an I.E.P. For each of the last three years, the school has awarded high school diplomas to more than 20 students.
Devon is proud of Saginaw Covenant Academy’s staff and its commitment to elevating real-life problem-solving, self-management, and helping students navigate their independence.
"We teach our students the importance of good decision making,” he said. “There are many educational opportunities you won’t find in a book – and we help our students discover them.”