FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2025

DPSCD’s Davis Aerospace Technical High School Returns to Coleman A. Young International Airport Under 30-Year Lease with $14.6 million Investment including $7 million in State grants 

DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) in partnership with the City of Detroit is proud to announce the relocation of Davis Aerospace Technical High School back to its original home at Coleman A. Young International Airport. The DPSCD Facility Master Plan (FMP) contribution and state grant, combined sum of $14.6 million, will aide in renovations at the airport terminal slated to begin in August 2025 and are expected to be completed within one year. The high school is scheduled to open at the airport in Fall 2026.

This historic move returns the school to its pre-2013 location. The 30-year lease agreement, approved by the Detroit City Council and DPSCD School Board, solidifies the school's long-term presence and commitment to Detroit's aviation legacy. This move is aligned with the District’s 20-year FMP, which prioritizes strategic investment in school infrastructure and academic achievement to better serve students and communities.

“The hard work of rebuilding the District often has come with creating new systems and processes or removing aspects of the District that was inadequate or faulty. Returning Davis Aerospace to the City’s Airport is an example of returning a part of the District that should have never been eliminated or changed. This strategic decision and investment celebrate a part of the District’s and City’s rich history but should also remind everyone of the deep belief that the traditional public school system has in the talent and potential of Detroit’s youth. It is the District that continues to be, despite its historical and current challenges, the only public institution in Detroit that provides the greatest number of children at scale with free access to unique and life-changing program such as Aerospace and Aviation,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Davis Aerospace is making strides and they are on course to continue its progress,  four students, Miles Hatter, Elyazar Holiday, Caiyla Turner, and Herbert Anderson, have passed the written portion of the FAA Private Pilot Examination, underscoring the high caliber of education provided at the school.

Additionally, nine students from Davis Aerospace, Academy of the Americas, Southeastern High School, and Western International High School earned their FAA Remote Pilot Certificates: Floyd McBride, Yanely Angulo-Barraza, Angel Feliz, Kingston Espuet, Yadhira Zamora Lule, Eddi Moya-Cruz, Jordan Couch, Khai Mattews-El, and Demetria Story.

Snapshot of Davis Aerospace Technical High School Academic points:

• School re-enrollment rate improved going into this year: 63.7% to 76.8%
• ADA improved from 81.9% to 89.9% this year
• Chronic absenteeism reduced from 63.2% to 42.4% this year
• Last year, students proficient in EBRW went up from 20% to 29.5% and in Math, they went up from 3.8% to 9.1% across grades 9-11 on the College Board P/SAT.

“This is a direct investment in our students, in career and technical education, and in Detroit’s role as a leader in innovation,” said Bishop Corletta J. Vaughn, Ph.D., DPSCD Board President “Returning Davis Aerospace to the airport not only honors its rich history, but also ensures our students receive cutting-edge instruction in an environment that mirrors their future careers.”

“This is an exciting development that will bring relevant career training in a growing field to Detroit,” said City Council Member Scott Benson. “This program will put our students on a career path for good-paying jobs in a field experiencing high demand for skilled workers.”

The District has worked diligently to identify sustainable funding solutions and is grateful for the support from the Mayor of the City of Detroit, Michael Duggan, City Council Member Scott Benson, the DPSCD School Board members, and the Detroit Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives.

"Bringing Davis Aerospace back to the airport is more than a symbolic return—it’s a powerful investment in the future of Detroit’s students,” said Dr. Iris Taylor, Board President, DPSCD Foundation. “At the DPSCD Foundation, we’re proud to support initiatives that align learning with high-growth, high-wage careers. Davis is preparing students for six-figure opportunities in aviation and aerospace, and this milestone represents exactly the kind of future-focused education we’re committed to expanding.”

“We’re deeply grateful to the City of Detroit and the state lawmakers whose vision and support helped bring this project to life. Their leadership has ensured that generations of DPSCD students can rise—right from their own city."

Davis Aerospace is uniquely positioned to offer hands-on training in aircraft maintenance, flight, and drone operations, all within a real-world aviation environment.

The renovation of the Coleman A. Young International Airport terminal represents a significant investment in Detroit’s future aviation professionals. The 53,000-square-foot terminal will undergo comprehensive upgrades, including architectural, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical improvements across all three levels, transforming it into a modern, fully equipped educational facility.

The redesigned space will include administrative offices, academic classrooms, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) spaces, science labs, a health suite, physical education facilities, food service and dining areas, and dedicated Career and Technical Education (CTE) zones.

Please see the site plan, floorplans, and finishes presentation available to the public at this link: bit.ly/davisaerospaceFMP

Davis Aerospace Returns to Coleman A. Young International Airport