YCS Strategic 5 Year Plan

We are excited to invite you to explore the culmination of our collaborative efforts, the Ypsilanti Community Schools’ Strategic Plan for the next five years. This plan is not just a document; it is our shared roadmap toward a brighter future, designed to ensure that each and every scholar, family, and staff member thrives in a district committed to innovation, excellence, and equity.

This is a pivotal moment for Ypsilanti Community Schools! With the invaluable input from our scholars, parents, educators, and community leaders, we have crafted a bold vision for what education can and should be in our district, and this journey is a collective effort. Achieving our ambitious goals requires the collaboration of our scholars, staff, parents, neighbors, businesses, and community leaders. Together, we will take meaningful steps toward realizing our vision. 

Our Strategic Plan is anchored by three key priorities: 

• Accelerating Academic Excellence 
• Advancing Future-Ready Preparedness 
• Allocating Resources Equitably

Imagine an Ypsilanti Community Schools where every scholar leaves our schools equipped to make a difference in the world. Picture schools where every child feels seen, heard, valued, supported, and inspired to dream big. Visualize a community united in its commitment to the success of our scholars. This is the Ypsilanti Community Schools we are building together because we ARE “Risk Takers, Barrier Breakers and Change Makers!”

We warmly invite you to engage with our strategic plan. We encourage you to read it, share it, and discuss it with others. Most importantly, we invite you to become an active participant in this exciting journey. Whether you volunteer at a school, join one of our committees, or simply encourage a scholar in your life. Your involvement is vital.

The future of Ypsilanti Community Schools shines bright, and with your partnership, our future will shine even brighter. Thank you for your continued trust, passion, and commitment to our scholars and schools. 
Together, we will achieve greatness. 

Always remember we are... “Stronger Today, Stronger Tomorrow, Stronger Together!”

Dr. Alena Zachary-Ross, Superintendent of Schools 

Dr. Celeste Hawkins, Board of Education President

Priority #1: Accelerating Academic Excellence

This priority refers to fostering high academic achievement through a rigorous curriculum and a highly engaging learning environment, where our scholars serve as lead learners and demonstrate mastery of competency-based learning expectations, while also addressing the individual needs of each scholar to ensure they thrive and grow. 

Priority #2: Advancing Future-Ready Preparedness

This priority emphasizes equipping our scholars for success by promoting goal setting, micro-credentialing, dual enrollment, and CTE certifications, while also offering opportunities such as the Seal of Biliteracy, International Baccalaureate (IB), STEM programs, Middle College, Spanish Immersion, Newcomer Centers, Magnet Schools, and integrating innovative approaches like Artificial Intelligence, Place-Based Education, internships, community service, makerspace, and fostering naturalistic intelligence.

Priority #3: Allocating Resources Equitably

This priority focuses on being intentional in securing equitable resource allocation across all areas—including technology, human resources, transportation, food service, custodial support, operations, and teaching and learning—so that every scholar is well-served, while also leveraging alternative funding sources to enhance our educational offerings.