Charter Schools

As a teacher, I would first tell you that all charter schools are different. You will find some that offer more than others, and it may take some time/research to find the right one for your daughter. I would tell you that many are good alternatives when the public school system just isn't working out for your child. I am both for charter and public because both have their positive and negative aspects. Some web sites to check out are MAPSA.com and greatschools.com. Going in and actually checking out the schools yourself is also a good idea. Good Luck!

Both my grandchildren go to a charter school, started in daycare, then pre-k and on up. Oldest will move to middle school now. We've been very pleased with their education. I live in Wayne and I pick them up after school every day. They don't have after school sports until middle school, but in elementary they have band, music, etc. They have field days a couple times a year. The youngest is bright and gets easily bored and what I like about this school is the kids are placed in small groups and do work from say 1st and 2nd grade, they are placed according to their abilities. They do have sort of a dress code, no t-shirts or logo shirts, dress slacks and button down shirts with collars, plain colors only. That is a good thing. You can check out their website at: http://www.summit-academy.com/

I LOVE our charter school, South Arbor Academy in Ypsilanti. There is one fairly close to you that is in the same parent company. Look up National Heritage Academies online. They have different dress code details. Each year the new students are selected out of the applicants by a lottery system, and once you have one child in, there is sibling preference for the others. You need to apply early, and even if you are not accepted at the beginning, the waiting list moves quite a bit over the summer. Ours is K-8 and has several sports for the middle school (They compete with other charters) I love the strong emphasis on character education and strong academic excellence for each student. Best of luck to you.. and congrats on planning ahead!
A.

My daughter who is now 16 went to Summit Academy. She started in Kindergarten the year it opened and was there thru 5th grade. She did very well at Summit. For 6th grade we decided to send her to the local public school because I gave birth to triplets and there would be no way I would be able to get everyone ready in the morning to take her to school and the price of busing was out of the question. She has had all kinds of problems since going into public school. I feel that the experience with the charter school was a good one, BUT if you are going to put your child in the charter school you need to keep them there thru out their entire time in school. Good Luck. :)

Hi C.,

I am a mother of three children ages 7, 3, & 1. I am also a teacher and my husabnd and I decided during the middle of the school year last that we would be sending our son to a different school this year (which meant taking him out of public school). After putting in hours of research we have decided upon one of the National Heritage Academy Schools. Orginally I was against Charter Schools but I have realized that they are all different and you have to decide upon which is the right one for your child. I would check out the websites that lady listed above, I visited both sites and they helped us make our decision. I also know many people from my church that loves South Arbor in Ypsilanti. I have heard great things about National Heritage so far. But remember that each school is different so make an informed decision. Good Luck!

hey christie
my kids go to trillium performing arts academy in taylor.it is on racho rd off of eureka.###-###-####.you have to apply as with all charter schools.i dont think you could get in to this one this year.there is also creative montorssori school on northline rd in southgate,they go up to the 8 th grade.my girls went there till they outgrew it.both good schools.i am so grateful i took mine out of public schools.they wont go back.i cant give them a better recomendation.in my opinion they are well worth a little trouble.such as driving and picking them up.you can always car pool.good luck
R.

My granddaughter is going to be in 5th grade this year and she attends an American Heritage Academy and we really like it there. They do have a dress code and they also have a 0 tollerance policy the kids are really very well behaved even though there are still kids that get out of hand but they are delt with right away. I always attended public schools and so did my kids but this is the best choice now for my granddaughter. My son (not her dad her uncle) is a public school teacher so it isn't that we are against public schools this just works for her. They do a lottery drawing and that is how you get in. They do have the same sports that public schools have and there seems to be a lot more hands on parental participation as well. Good Luck and you are smart to start thinking about this now.
K.