Trillium Academy

What is Trillium Academy?
Trillium Academy is a public school academy (charter) for students in grades K-7th during the 2003-2004 school year, with plans to add additional grades each year and eventually becoming Kindergarten through twelfth grade Academy. The Trillium Academy opened its doors in September 2002, founded by Ron Palmer.

What is a public school academy (charter)?
Public School Academies (PSA) are schools of choice. Trillium Academy is a unique public school that operates under a contract (or charter) from Central Michigan University.

What makes the Trillium Academy different from a traditional public school?
Citizens, parents, educators, Management Company and a school board govern Trillium. Trillium is free to be innovative in its teaching strategies and learning styles, however, Trillium is still required to meet the educational needs of students and financial compliance with the state.
For the 2003-2004 school year Trillium has a Montessori based academic program, beginning the foundation of the complete Montessori philosophy. The educators in the Concrete (pre-school and kindergarten grades) and Imagination (first ? third grades) Houses will be Montessori trained and utilize Montessori materials in their learning environment.

What is the Mission of the Academy?
Trillium Academy is designed to develop culturally literate children while nurturing their sparks of curiosity, creativity, talent and intelligence. By stimulating a love and appreciation of the arts, the Trillium Academy will create a safe learning environment that will emphasize academic achievement, focusing on individual needs while maintaining a strong curriculum integrating the fine arts as well as all six Career Pathways.

What are the Academic Goals of the Academy?
The goal of Trillium Academy is to foster learning that leads to self-confident, independent thinkers, who are energized, to learn as they strive for excellence. Students of Trillium Academy will be placed in an environment that will meet their individual needs in specific areas of interest, with the specific intention of giving the student a sense of self-empowerment, within the framework of respecting self and others.
A curriculum framework is necessary to develop lessons and to keep the school focused on the essential elements of instruction. In this regard, the State of Michigan has developed a framework with broad goals that have been identified as necessary components for all of Michigan?s children. These curricular goals make up the core components of Trillium Academy. The Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies framework goals for Trillium Academy are taken directly from or adapted from the Michigan Curriculum Framework for the purpose of meeting and/or exceeding State standards.

What is the Montessori philosophy?
The Montessori philosophy believes children should be prepared for life starting at early ages. By creating multi-age classrooms, children learn to mentor each other to achieve academic and social goals. The classroom environment encourages independent thinking, problem solving and self-discovery at each child?s own learning pace. To accomplish this, educators are mentors and facilitators in the child?s learning versus a lecture approach to teaching.

What is the curriculum for Trillium Academy?
The magical combination of incorporating Michigan?s Career Pathways Arts & Communications Cluster, Montessori philosophy, entrepreneur program of Exchange City, along with the State of Michigan?s frameworks is what makes our Academy stand out from the rest.

Who governs Trillium Academy?
Trillium Academy has its own Board of Directors (School Board). As a public school academy, Trillium Academy has developed its own educational goals, curriculum, methods of assessment and evaluation. The Board was appointed by Central Michigan University and sworn into office by Leonard Sabuda, Wyandotte Mayor.

What makes the Trillium Academy unique?

Academic excellence
Small class sizes
Montessori Based Program
Arts & Communications courses
A safe and nurturing environment
On-site Pre-school program
Latch key services
Extra-curricular activities
Certified educators
Dress Code
Zero Tolerance Policy
Traditional morals and values
Enrichment courses: Physical Education, Art, Music, Technology, Language (Spanish)
Special Education Services
Food Service (Free & Reduced Lunch Program)
Community partnerships and educational resources
Experienced Management Company
Knowledgeable and Caring Staff

Are the educators at Trillium Academy qualified?
Trillium Academy has employed educators with college degrees and State of Michigan certifications. Our Kindergarten educators have completed their Montessori certification and started using Montessori teaching methods during the 2002-2003 school year. All of our staff have dedicated themselves to the start-up of the new Academy and look forward to contributing to the overall Academy mission.

Do parents have to pay tuition for their children to attend?
No. Trillium Academy is authorized and funded by the State of Michigan and receives the same level of operational support as other local public schools.
However, students attending the pre-school program will pay tuition to the Academy located on-site at Trillium.

What will be the daily schedule and school year calendar?
The 2003-2004-calendar school year will begin on Monday, August 25, 2003. The daily schedule at the Trillium Academy is as follows: 7:50AM to 2:50PM.

Will there be bus transportation?
No. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Will there be a dress code?
Yes. All students will have a required dress code.

Send mail to mlusch@trilliumacademy.us with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: March 18, 2004

Kudos to a great school!