Not much history is known about King Academy. However King Academy was one of the many abandoned schools in Inkster, Michigan. This new article will explore some history and will shed some light on this school.
King Academy served as a private school from 1997 to 2005. King Academy operated a charter school for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. It was located next to the former Blanchette Junior High School aka Blanchette Middle School which Inkster Public Schools operated.
12 acres of land were acquired on Henry Ruff Road in 1990 by Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ. Inkster Christian Academy and Pentecostal Temple Day Care were its firsts tenant to own the property. This building was built as a $2.5 million educational facility. Construction was completed in 1991. (Ref: http://ptchurch.net/history/)
In 1996, Sister Karen Corner came up with a written proposal for a charter school. Her proposal was brought to Inkster Public Schools. Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ sold the building to King Academy for a charter school in 1997.
In 1997, Pastor King facilitated the award of a charter school from the Inkster Public Schools to operate King Academy. King Academy opened its doors in September 1997. 105 students attended during the 1997-1998 school year and 221 students during the 1998-1999 school year. The church has benefited greatly from this venture. (Ref: https://www.mackinac.org/2984)
King Academy provided multiple educational opportunities such as computer classes and summer programs. Its parental involvement was very high thanks to the parent-teacher cooperatives. King Academy attracted students from Inkster Public Schools. (Ref: http://ptchurch.net/history/)
King Academy served 154 students in grades Kindergarden through 6 in 2005. 2005 was the last year King Academy would operate under. 98% of the student body were black during that time, which was higher than the Michigan state average of 32%. King Academy closed in 2005. Declining enrollment is what led this particular charter school to close. Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ purchased King Academy in 2005. The sale was finalized in the year of 2006. (Ref: https://www.publicschoolreview.com/king-academy-profile)
Wayne-Westland Community Schools acquired the building from Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ in July 2013 after finding out the church was neglecting their maintenance duties. Most of the building was not up to code or city standards. When Wayne-Westland Community Schools received the building, it was already in very rough shape. The building deteriorated further due to the harsh winter climate every year.
Today King Academy is abandoned. Illegal dumping has taken place at this site promoting the City of Inkster to fine and penalize its current owners. Many of its windows are boarded up with plywood. However that has not kept away vandalism and theft. Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ no longer owns the building or its property. Today Wayne-Westland Community Schools owns the building and its property.
Neighbors complain the building is an eyesore and want it removed. Many neighbors complain that City of Inkster lets abandoned buildings stay around for too long such as this one and want it gone.
King Academy is located at 1615 Henry Ruff Road, Inkster, Michigan, US 48141.
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