Davis Aerospace students are more than just high school students. They are also college students thanks to the school’s partnership with Wayne County Community College.  

Davis is the first high school in the District to have all students enrolled in at least one college-level dual enrollment course, Assistant Director of Instructional Equity Dr. Theresa Lindsey said. New this school year, every student in grades 9-12 was enrolled in Wayne County Community College’s career and college readiness course. The introductory class will give students a greater understanding of the college environment. It will also teach students life skills that are crucial to success in college-level courses, including time management skills, study skills, resume writing, and career exploration.  

The course is meant to ease students into a college environment so they can develop skills needed for college before taking more courses, said Davis Principal, Michelle Davis.  

The students' college status was made official in the second week of school during a college signing day. Several representatives from the college visited the school to introduce students to the program, help students enroll, and distribute Wayne County Community College swag. 

Ninth-grade student Emmarie Percy said while she is not yet sure what her post-graduation plans are, she recognizes the dual enrollment program is a great opportunity to further her academic career.  

“I’m excited because now I can say I’m going to college and high school,” Percy said.  

Senior Kennedi Rivers said while she wants to go to the University of Northwestern to eventually go into the medical field, she also has the option to go to Wayne County Community College. She sees the dual enrollment class as an opportunity to explore her options for college.

Davis said students will be provided academic support from the high school, including afterschool tutoring and one-on-one mentoring with a staff member. Students also gain access to all of Wayne County Community College’s resources, including online tutoring, and access to the college’s six campuses. Students may use facilities on campus, including gyms, libraries, and student centers.  

Earned dual enrollment credits can be transferred to Michigan and out-of-state colleges and universities, saving students time and money by allowing them to complete general education credits for free in high school. All college classes taken and passed during the school year come at no cost to students. If a student earns enough credits, they can earn their associate degree, and graduate with both a high school and college diploma.  

At Davis, dual enrollment is more than just earning the credentials. It's about creating a culture of excellence and tenacity as students learn to handle the workload of college and high school, pushing themselves intellectually and academically, Davis said.

“All students can be intellectuals or free thinkers. Our students can be seekers of knowledge,” Davis said. “And so that is the point, to really give students all the knowledge necessary for them to graduate and go out into the world and create a life that is beneficial for them.” 

Dual enrollment also introduces students to college and shows them that a higher education after high school is possible, whether that be a two-year program, a four-year university, or trade school. 

“This gives (students) the opportunity to demystify college, to let them know that they are smart enough, that they have the intellect, that they have the internal fortitude to enroll in college and complete the required courses,” Davis said. 

"So, not only does it demystify it, it helps them navigate that space. Filling out college applications, writing essays for college, so it’s going to develop them in a way where they’re going to be applying themselves for the high school level, but also, it’s going to propel them to the next level of making sure they’re prepared for the college experience.” 

And students know that they can always find support in school staff, who believe in students every step of the way.  

“When we create a culture of intellectuals, when we create a culture of telling students that we believe in them and they can do it, then they start believing what we say about them,” Davis said.