An architectural rendering shows the main entrance to the planned Flint Cultural Center Academy Upper School. Rendering: Kingscott and Fielding International, Courtesy of The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Flint, Michigan — The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has stated it intends to commit up to $37 million to support construction of a new upper school building for the Flint Cultural Center Academy, establishing a permanent home for the school’s 9-12 program on the Flint Cultural Center campus.
FCCA’s K-8 school, which is located on the Flint Cultural Center campus, currently serves approximately 675 students. The school launched its high school program in the fall of 2024 through a partnership with the University of Michigan-Flint, temporarily operating out of the Northbank Center. That program currently serves ninth and 10th-grade students and plans to expand through 12th grade by 2027.
The Mott Foundation continues to look for ways to support Flint kids, no matter where they attend school. The Foundation has long supported opportunities to strengthen educational opportunities for young people, from early childhood education to college and career training.
“The Mott Foundation is proud to support these collective efforts because we know that, when the community works together with a shared purpose, Flint kids thrive,” said Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation.
White added: “For students and families who build their education around the Flint Cultural Center Academy, this upper school means they’ll be able to continue that journey all the way through graduation — with the same connections to the arts, science and culture that have shaped their learning from the start. We’re glad to support that.”
The new permanent facility, which will be built at 817 E. Kearsley St., responds to the need for a long-term home that fully integrates the upper school within the Flint Cultural Center campus and allows FCCA to expand student supports, extracurricular opportunities and community programming. The FCCA Upper School will support academic instruction, arts and culture integration, STEM and robotics education, athletics, career-connected learning and community engagement.
“The ongoing support from the Mott Foundation to strengthen high-quality educational initiatives for Flint kids is deeply appreciated,” said Eric Lieske, FCCA superintendent.
Lieske added: “The extension of the FCCA Upper School will provide students with exceptional curricular and extra-curricular opportunities leading to career and college success. We are more than eager to get this project started.”
The Mott Foundation’s latest commitment builds on previous support. In 2018, the Foundation committed up to $25 million to cover the costs of designing, constructing and outfitting the K–8 school building, as well as additional funding for related improvements to the Flint Cultural Center campus. The K-8 building opened in fall 2019.
Construction is expected to begin on the approximately 83,000-square-foot facility in 2027, and the new building is anticipated to open in January 2029.
