Whether it’s school of choice, a public charter school, homeschooling or another education option, Dick and his wife, Betsy DeVos, believe that every family should be able to choose the education option that works best for their child.
Dick’s work in the education sector began in 1990 when he was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education. Dick and Betsy became co-chairs of the Education Freedom Fund in 1993 which provides private scholarships to low-income families in Michigan with wishes to attend schools of their choice.
Through their family foundation, Dick and Betsy have supported many education initiatives including the American Education Reform Council, American Federation for Children, Choices for Children, Children First America, Leading Educators, and many schools including The Potter’s House and Rehoboth Christian School.
In 2010, Dick’s commitment to education and his passion for aviation led him to open the West Michigan Aviation Academy. With the idea that if the school can get kids 5,000 feet in the air, the horizon will roll back for them, it expands their view in the moment, and hopefully their view on life’s possibilities as well.
The tuition-free public charter high school is located on the campus of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI, and provides an innovative education model for students. With a curriculum rich in aviation, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), and robotics, WMAA provides a unique educational opportunity for students to focus specifically on high-growth employment fields during their high school education. This better focus equips students to pursue higher education or technical degrees and find employment in their chosen field.
Dick also supports higher education opportunities through his alma mater, Northwood University including the Betsy and Dick DeVos Scholars for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Scholarships.
