Principal for a Day: check out this program that takes business leaders from the boardroom to the classroom.

Business leaders from across Southeast Michigan can help Detroit's public schools make the grade by participating in the Principal for a Day program.

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Managed by Detroit-based eBusiness Strategies and Companies, the program's goal is to provide business leaders with an inside look at the duties principals face daily and to create an environment in which the entire community has a shared sense of responsibility for improving public education.

In January, Aubrey W. Lee Jr., resident director, vice president at Merrill Lynch, served as principal for the day at Duke Ellington Conservatory, a K-8 school which draws many students interested in the performing arts but also provides a solid grounding in math, science, reading, writing and other core subjects.

Lee had a complete program for the day. He greeted students as they arrived, attended several classes, chatted with students during their lunch breaks and even counseled a student with a minor disciplinary problem. The girl apologized to her teacher and was re-admitted to school.

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"What I really got out of this experience is that kids here want the same things that all kids want, regardless of where they come from. They want to be appreciated and loved and have attention paid to them," said Lee, a graduate of the Chamber's Leadership Detroit program.

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Lee would like to see more leaders involved in programs like this. "We need to make sure as parents, as business leaders, as community leaders, as teachers that we are engaged with these young men and young women. It doesn't matter where they come from, if we do that, by and large we're going to have an outstanding society."

At the end of the day, Lee enjoyed a one-hour performance by members of the school band, dance team, drama team and cheerleading squad. He received a key to the school, and the colleagues from Merrill Lynch who joined him--James Kreutzer, regional managing director for Michigan, and financial advisers Diane Sheppard and Muata Mahluli--received plaques.

Looking back on the experience, Lee credits Principal Yolanda Herbert for creating a culture at Duke Ellington Conservatory where the teachers and staff truly care and where the students are held to high academic and behavior standards.

"The Principal for a Day program is an excellent idea because it provides a wonderful learning experience for our students," said Herbert. "Sometimes, students do not see the connection between school and their career goals. This program gives them an opportunity see and talk to people who were once students, possibly in the same school system, and learn about the paths they took to become successful."

Going forward, Merrill Lynch plans to build a long-term partnership with Duke Ellington Conservatory and expand the program to another five schools over the next several months.

For more information about the Principal for a Day program, call eBusiness Strategies and Companies at [phone].