Cora Christmas

Cora Christmas is the very proud principal of Henry Ford Academy.

A graduate of Detroit Public Schools, Principal Christmas earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Wayne State University and a Master's degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Michigan. She holds teacher and administrator certificates from the State of Michigan and belongs to several professional organizations including the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Principal Christmas has been at the helm of Henry Ford Academy since the first year of the school's operation. She has been in education for over forty years, yet her energy and enthusiasm still burns bright. She's held administrative positions with Detroit Public Schools and the West Bloomfield School District. She has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit-Mercy and a mentor for Wayne-RESA's aspiring principal's academy. Principal Christmas sits on the Michigan State Council for AdvancED, and the Henry Ford Learning Institute Board of Trustees.  She was the first "Principal of the Year" recipient awarded by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies.

"It takes a village and a museum to raise a child" and 'Parents raise kids ........ the Village can help" are two variations of the old African adage that Principal Christmas adheres to. She is passionate about bringing all of the resources of a community together to help raise and educate the youth of today. She believes everyone has an important role to play; parents, teachers, civic and religious organizations, non-profits, and the business community.

Ms. Christmas is the wife of Dr. James Madry and has two adult children, Jason and Kiera. "Doing what's best for kids" is the credo by which she operates. "It takes a special person to work with teens. You have to love and nurture them and demonstrate daily to them that you care. This includes setting limits and passing out lots of hugs!"

Profile Photo

Cora Christmas

Principal