Global Educational Excellence (GEE) is committed to preparing students for higher education. Today more than 90% of GEE high school seniors go on to pursue college careers.  Its curriculum exceeds state standards, and the learning environment is progressive.  All 12 GEE academies provide education services not typically accessible at other schools.

GEE Co-Founder Mohamad Issa.

GEE was established in 1998 by Mohamad Issa and his brothers, who are Palestinian. Central Academy in Ann Arbor was the first school to open. Issa volunteered there for four years to make the school a success. Two new  academies opened in Detroit this year.Issa’s concern about his own children’s education pushed him to get into the field. While he believes private and public schools are accredited learning institutions, he knows they can be improved. He wanted to keep an eye on his children and make sure they received good educations.   “I did it because of my kids,” Issa said.  

All of his children are GEE graduates and have completed college. One is enrolled at Wayne State University’s law school and another is still in high school. Issa acknowledges he had a son who struggled in public schools, but became successful after enrolling at a GEE academy, and this year earned his Ph.D.

Other GEE graduates have gone on to pursue careers in fields including law and education. About 20 staff members working at GEE are graduates of the school system.  “We are helping individual students. We make sure no student is left behind,” Issa said.  

The GEE Alumni Association’s mission is to establish lifelong connections between its academies and alumni to continue academic and alumni growth. Last year alumni from various schools encouraged students to push for academic excellence and pursue college careers during the GEE Alumni Association dinner. Issa hopes students and alumni connect so students have mentors to speak with after graduation.

Students go over lessons. GEE features 12 separate academies with amenities and programs often not accessible at public schools.

Issa came to the United States in 1973, and has essentially helped countless students by providing them with high quality education. His brother Dr. Said Issa has been instrumental in the process. “This country has given me the opportunity to open schools and serve a lot of students here. I’m very blessed,” Issa said. “You know what, if I did it for free, I would do it again.”

Educators work with every child individually to cater to various levels of performance. If a student is in fourth grade but performing at a second grade level, GEE educators will invest more time in the student, hoping that within a year or two the child can catch up. This prevents students from being held back a grade.  

Additionally the curriculum includes Arabic language classes at all academies and Spanish at Victor Academy in Ypsilanti. There’s tutoring and after school programs for students to get help with homework.  Every year 15 students are selected to visit Jordan through the Global Passage: Destination Jordan program. GEE follows state guidelines for all academic and non-academic subjects.

The maximum class size in the academies is 25 to ensure educators can focus on every student. Anyone residing in the state is eligible to enroll in a charter school. There are about 4,000 students in all academies combined.

Those who sign up will find a strong academic and parent connection at GEE. There are parent coordinators, and parents have the opportunity to enroll in ELL and computer classes. Parents are also educated on how to help their children succeed.

Parents are pushed to get involved in their children’s education.  In some cases GEE faculty members have visited the homes of students who appear to be struggling in school. There are special education programs at GEE too.

GEE schools are improving communities. Before the Bridge Academy West campus opened this Fall the building was vacant. Now it’s a middle school with about 330 students. Issa has received thanks from people in the community for remodeling the building and bringing it back to life. “We opened a nice safe school in the community,” he said.

Students become actively involved in the community by participating in activities and taking on civic responsibilities. GEE only opens academies in areas where the surrounding community can benefit, and the company can make a difference in the lives of people living and working there.   

The faces inside GEE schools are culturally diverse, and students have the opportunity to learn about people from across the globe. “The diversity really distinguishes this program,” said Bridge Academy teacher Khadigah Alasry.

In some academies more than 50% of the student body is African American, and immigrant students from many nations also have a strong presence. 

To make accommodations for foreign students GEE offers ELL classes and bilingual instructors.  There is a significant presence of Latino, Pakistani, Polish, Bosnian, Bengali and Ukrainian students at some of the K-12 academies.  Instructors who are proficient in many of the student’s native tongues and English are available to help them succeed in school.  GEE staff is trained on the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, a research model that makes it easier for foreign students to learn English. GEE is expected to come out with a textbook for its Arabic language program.

Even foreign language CDs are distributed to help the students succeed on the MEAP test.   “Look how many immigrants we have, and they all need the help. And look how many students we’ve helped so far,” said GEE Marketing and Communications Director Mouna Abboushi.