Recognitions & Testimonials

Student performance and achievement are an educator’s greatest reward, and at Hamadeh Educational Services, our greatest pride lies in the fact that HES students outperform students in traditional schools on Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests in math and language arts, and 100% of HES graduates are accepted into college.
We are also honored by the recognition and awards that distinguish HES among its peers and underscore our commitment to excellence, including: 

  • Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year (2007): Mrs. Nawal Hamadeh, HES founder and CEO
  • U.S. News & World Report Top American High Schools (2008): Star International Academy
  • Michigan School of Excellence Award finalist (2007): Star International Academy
  • Michigan Charter Teacher of the Year finalist (2007): Qazime Muftari (Pre-K)
  • Detroit Skillman Foundation’s “Good School” Award : Universal Academy
  • Title I Distinguished School of the Year (2010): Star International Academy
  • Oakland University Compliance Award (annually since award inception in 2007): Star International Academy and Universal Academy
  • Detroit News School Report Card: Universal Academy ranked among best 5 high schools in Detroit
  • Arab American Chamber of Commerce, Arab American Professional of the Year in the field of education (2010): Mrs. Nawal Hamadeh, HES founder and CEO
  • Lebanese American Heritage Club Outstanding Leadership and Service in Education Award (2010): Mrs. Nawal Hamadeh, HES founder and CEO
  • Time magazine article, “Detroit’s Unlikely Saviors” featuring Mrs. Nawal Hamadeh, HES founder, Superintendent, and CEO (2010)

Testimonials

[Mrs. Hamadeh is] a true 21st century educator, implementing education in ways that position all children for success as adults…She builds bridges, connecting students, educators, parents and communities. She is a role model with remarkable lessons to teach all of us in education, no matter who our students are or where our schools are located. 

Mr. Dan Quisenberry, President, Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) 

When you do business planning, you look at market research, and it’s clear — we need Nawal Hamadeh and her schools. They are meeting a need other schools are just not addressing, and it would take too long to get them to change. Imagine trying to learn English in a traditional school… we’d lose a lot of these kids. Nawal is not losing them. 

Erik Garr, Detroit native and Partner, Diamond Management & Technology Consultants