Henry Ford Academy
Henry Ford Academy is a public charter high school in Dearborn, Michigan, founded in 1997 on The Henry Ford Museum campus, serving grades 9-12 with a college-preparatory STEAM curriculum funded by state and federal per-pupil allocations and supplemented by minor athletic and ancillary fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersDearborn, Michigan, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Henry Ford Academy does
Henry Ford Academy is a public charter high school founded in 1997 in Dearborn, Michigan, operating on the campus of The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. The school serves students in grades 9 through 12 with a college-preparatory curriculum requiring 28 credits (21 core, 7 elective) for graduation, dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges, mandatory community service (40 hours), and standardized testing preparation (PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, SAT, ACT, Work Keys, M-STEP). The school emphasizes STEAM education, including robotics, drone classes, and project-based learning, and offers athletics across multiple varsity and JV sports plus extracurricular clubs and activities.
The school runs on a standard educational technology stack rather than proprietary infrastructure. Its digital ecosystem integrates Google Workspace for Education (Classroom, Mail, Meet, Drive) for communication and collaboration, Moodle as the LMS, MISTAR (provided by Wayne RESA) as the student information system serving both student and parent portals, Edgenuity for online coursework and credit recovery, Xello for career and college readiness, Star Testing for assessment, GameChanger for athletics, and Atlas for curriculum mapping. Administrative operations use Foxbright (CMS) and Dayforce (HR/payroll). The school has no proprietary software product, no app, and no public API.
Henry Ford Academy operates as a publicly funded charter governed by an independent Board of Directors. As a public charter, it does not charge tuition; revenue derives from Michigan state foundation allowance and federal funding (including the Federal CEP Program for free meals), supplemented by minor ancillary fees such as athletic participation ($200 first sport, with sibling discounts) and small replacement fees (IDs, lanyards, backpack sleeves). GTM is community-led: prospective families are recruited through open houses, in-person 9th-grade registration events requiring parent/guardian attendance, and active social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). The school employs 11–50 staff, led by Principal/Superintendent Geoffrey Harris Young and supported by a Director of Finance, Vice Principal, deans, counselors, and a Special Education Coordinator. Compliance posture includes Title IX, FERPA, IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and Michigan compulsory school law.
Henry Ford Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Henry Ford Academy
- Legal name
- Henry Ford Academy
- Website
- https://hfa-dearborn.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Henry Ford Academy is a public charter high school in Dearborn, Michigan, founded in 1997 on The Henry Ford Museum campus, serving grades 9-12 with a college-preparatory STEAM curriculum funded by state and federal per-pupil allocations and supplemented by minor athletic and ancillary fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Henry Ford Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Charter Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)
Keywords
Where Henry Ford Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dearborn, Michigan
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Henry Ford Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public School Funding: As a public charter school, Henry Ford Academy receives funding from state and federal sources based on student enrollment. The school participates in the Federal CEP Program providing free breakfast and lunch to students.
- Athletic Participation Fees: The school charges athletic participation fees: $200 for first sport (sibling $150), $150 for second sport (sibling $100), $100 for third sport (sibling $75).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | No tuition - Public school |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Henry Ford Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Henry Ford Academy is a public charter high school serving students in grades 9-12, located on The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village campus in Dearborn, Michigan. Founded in 1997, it delivers a college-preparatory curriculum with a STEAM focus, requiring 28 credits for graduation, 40 hours of community service, and standardized testing preparation (PSAT, SAT, ACT). Students gain unique access to museum collections and historical resources as part of the educational experience.
Product overview
Henry Ford Academy operates as a public charter school serving grades 9-12, providing college-preparatory education with a focus on innovative teaching and active learning. The school's digital infrastructure consists of multiple integrated educational technology platforms: MISTAR serves as the student information system for grades and attendance, Moodle functions as the primary learning management system for course delivery and assignments, Edgenuity provides online coursework and credit recovery options, Xello supports career and college readiness planning, and Google Workspace facilitates classroom communication and collaboration. Additional platforms include Star Testing for standardized assessments and GameChanger for athletics management. These platforms work together to support the academy's mission of developing critical thinkers and responsible citizens prepared for college and career.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- College-Preparatory High School Program (Grades 9-12) Four-year college-preparatory high school program requiring 28 credits for graduation (21 core course credits plus 7 non-core elective credits), mandatory 40 hours of community service, and standardized testing. Students enroll directly through the school's admissions process.
- STEAM-Focused Curriculum
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% - 100%+ grade scale with A+ for exceptional performance
Companies that use Henry Ford Academy
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Henry Ford Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature2 records
Henry Ford Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Henry Ford MuseumcoreHenry Ford Academy is located on the campus of The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. The partnership provides unique educational opportunities, with students having access to museum attractions, exhibits, and historical resources. The school utilizes the museum campus for educational purposes and students can visit exhibits when accompanied by staff during school hours.
- Wayne RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency)coreWayne RESA provides the MISTAR student information system used by Henry Ford Academy. MISTAR handles student records, grades, attendance, and parent/student portal access. The partnership enables the school to manage student data and communicate with families through the integrated platform.
- Greenfield VillagecoreHenry Ford Academy's Village Campus is located within Greenfield Village. The partnership provides students with unique access to historical reenactments, artisan demonstrations, and the living history museum as an educational resource.
- Ford Motor CompanyminorThe school's name 'Henry Ford Academy' references the Ford legacy and connection to The Henry Ford. The school maintains a relationship with Ford Motor Company's broader educational initiatives through the museum partnership.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Henry Ford Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Heritage Academies: Michigan-headquartered charter school management organization operating K–8 and K–12 campuses across the U.S., including multiple Michigan sites. Most direct operating-model peer given same state, charter authorization structure, and college-preparatory mission.
- BASIS Charter Schools: Network of college-preparatory public charter schools with a strong STEM/STEAM curriculum focus, including high schools. Highly comparable on college-prep intensity and STEM emphasis that mirrors HFA's robotics/drone programs.
- University Prep Schools (Detroit): Detroit-based charter school network serving grades K–12 with a college-preparatory mission in the same regional labor market. Comparable given shared Michigan/Detroit footprint, charter status, and college-readiness focus.
Others
- Edgenuity: Online curriculum and credit-recovery vendor used by HFA for supplemental coursework. Included as a direct technology partner and ecosystem participant that shapes how HFA delivers non-traditional and credit-recovery instruction.
- National Charter Schools Institute: Charter school authorizer and support organization operating in Michigan and other states. Comparable only as an ecosystem participant — relevant for understanding HFA's charter authorization and policy environment rather than as a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Cranbrook Schools: Well-known Michigan private college-preparatory day and boarding school in Bloomfield Hills. Comparable on college-prep rigor and STEAM offerings, but differs on tuition-based private model versus HFA's public charter status.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: Large urban charter school network with rigorous college-prep curriculum and high standardized-test expectations. Comparable as a well-known charter college-prep model, though concentrated in NYC and operating at materially larger scale than HFA.
- KIPP Schools: One of the largest U.S. charter networks operating K–12 college-prep campuses. Comparable on charter operating model, college-prep mission, and extended grade span including high school, though broader in scale and geography than HFA.
Regional players
- Detroit Public Schools Community District: Public school district serving Detroit students with multiple high school campuses. Competes with HFA for Dearborn/Metro Detroit high school students and is a direct alternative for families in the same regional market.
- Greenhills School: Independent college-preparatory day school in Ann Arbor, MI serving grades 6–12. Comparable on regional college-prep positioning and STEM/arts emphasis, though tuition-based rather than public charter.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Henry Ford Academy social profiles
Digital presenceHenry Ford Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Henry Ford Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Henry Ford Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Henry Ford Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Henry Ford Academy
What does Henry Ford Academy do?
Henry Ford Academy is a public charter high school serving students in grades 9-12, located on The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village campus in Dearborn, Michigan. Founded in 1997, it delivers a college-preparatory curriculum with a STEAM focus, requiring 28 credits for graduation, 40 hours of community service, and standardized testing preparation (PSAT, SAT, ACT). Students gain unique access to museum collections and historical resources as part of the educational experience.
Is Henry Ford Academy a public or private company?
Henry Ford Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Henry Ford Academy founded?
Henry Ford Academy was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Henry Ford Academy based?
Henry Ford Academy is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, in the North America region.
How does Henry Ford Academy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Public School Funding is the primary driver. The others are athletic Participation Fees.
Who are Henry Ford Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Heritage Academies, BASIS Charter Schools and University Prep Schools (Detroit). Others are Edgenuity and National Charter Schools Institute. Broad incumbents are Cranbrook Schools, Success Academy Charter Schools and KIPP Schools. Regional players are Detroit Public Schools Community District and Greenhills School.
Does Henry Ford Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Henry Ford Academy.
What industry is Henry Ford Academy in?
Henry Ford Academy's product category is Charter Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAJ, Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJACAK, Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111.