Four new charter schools opening in Michigan this fall

Four new charter schools are opening in Michigan this fall, offering a variety of educational options for parents.
The announcement of the new schools is being made today by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA), the state charter school association.

Even in the best of times, it’s a massive undertaking to open a new charter school. There were obviously a host of additional challenges this year, but each of these schools persevered. If we’ve learned anything over these past months, it’s that parents need quality school options. These new schools will certainly help in that regard.

- MAPSA President, Dan Quisenberry

Along with the four new schools, there are five charter schools that have closed this year. The net loss of one school means there will be 293 charter schools in Michigan this year.
Three of the new schools are brick-and-mortar schools in the Metro Detroit area, while the fourth is a cyber school based in Grand Rapids.

The new schools for 2020-2021 are:

Center Line Preparatory Academy, Center Line
Authorized by Central Michigan University. Center Line Preparatory Academy will open as a K-9 school, and will add one grade every year until it’s a K-12 school. The school will be jointly managed by National Heritage Academies and its sister company, PrepNet. NHA is one of the most successful K-8 charter school management organizations in the country, while PrepNet manages several high-achieving high schools in Michigan. Center Line Preparatory Academy will be only the second charter school in Michigan to be jointly managed by the two companies, allowing students to spend their entire K-12 career in one school.

Fostering Leadership Academy, Redford
Authorized by Grand Valley State University. A K-8 school, Fostering Leadership Academy serves a highly at-risk student population and will offer individualized instruction through the use of trauma-informed education practices. The school will feature small class sizes, restorative justice practices, on-site support services, clinical therapists, and no student suspensions.

Michigan Preparatory Virtual School, Grand Rapids
Authorized by Grand Valley State University. A cyber school that will enroll students from around the state, Michigan Preparatory Virtual School will serve grades 7-12 and will be managed by PrepNet. The school will offer a rigorous curriculum that includes 20 advanced placement (AP) courses for high-schoolers.

Sigma Academy for Leadership and Early Middle College, Highland Park
Authorized by Saginaw Valley State University. The Sigma Academy will open as a K-10 school and will add a grade every year until it’s a K-12 school. The school has formed a partnership with Cleary University’s Detroit campus, which will allow students to earn college credits while they’re still in high school. The Sigma Academy will have a broad-based program that offers athletics, performing arts, robotics, STEM programs and more.