Located near Detroit Metro Airport, Metro Charter Academy in Romulus has spent 25 years helping scholars take off. It’s fitting for a school where scholars are “Jets,” but it’s not just clever branding or long history that stands out.
As this K-8 charter public school celebrates a recent five-year charter renewal from Grand Valley State University’s Charter Schools Office, families are reflecting on the strong foundation Metro Charter Academy has built — and the values that continue to guide it.
Unlike a rubber-stamp process, the renewal involved a rigorous review that included interviews with parents, scholars and staff. That transparency and accountability reflect Metro Charter Academy as a school that listens and then acts.
In October, the school marked its charter renewal and 25th anniversary alongside one of its regular community gatherings: the Moral Focus Assembly, where scholars are recognized for academic achievement and character, and families are invited to see the school’s values in action.
A culture of celebration, driven by data
At Metro Charter Academy, success is celebrated, but it’s also clearly defined and carefully tracked. The school’s academic culture is transparent and shared with families, including what signals grade-level achievement in all subjects. Some highlights:
- In K–2 numeracy, 77% of scholars scored at or above grade level.
- Many were recognized for oral reading fluency, including, for example, kindergarteners already meeting the 30 words per minute year-end goal.
- Dozens of scholars from kindergarten through eighth grade were honored for perfect attendance, academic growth, and their contributions to a positive school culture.
At the event, Principal Kimberly Johnson reminded families how much early education has evolved. “Kindergarten is not play-based anymore. Kiddos are learning to read,” she said. And the school is supporting them every step of the way.
Alumni in the classroom: Giving back to the school that raised them
One of the most powerful stories behind Metro Charter Academy’s 25-year milestone is the return of former scholars — not just to visit, but to teach.
Shauna Jackson, now a 7th and 8th grade math teacher, first came to Metro Charter Academy as a first grader. She was, in her own words, “a struggle kid,” but she credits her teachers with helping her find her path. After pursuing an interest in nursing and earning a degree in public health, she took on a summer school role teaching English. That summer clarified her calling. Now, she’s teaching middle school math and bringing lived empathy to every lesson.
Zsarek Boone, a special education teacher for grades 6–8, also attended Metro Charter Academy from second grade. He recalls how the school’s “college-bound” mantra shaped his mindset early. While still in high school at Belleville, he enrolled in the Early College program, earning an associate degree from Wayne County Community College District before graduating. He later attended Eastern Michigan University, and after a few career detours, found his way back to the school he attended. Today, he draws on his own path to support students with IEPs and diverse learning needs.
Shaylynn Jones, a second-grade teacher, originally planned to become an attorney. But a position with Teach for America, teaching sixth-grade math, changed everything. “At first, I had a lot to wrestle with in terms of what I thought my career would look like,” she said. But her move into early childhood education — and eventually back to Metro Charter Academy — has brought unexpected joy. She now teaches some of the school’s youngest learners, guiding their academic and emotional growth with equal care.
Each of these educators represents more than just a success story — they’re living examples of what happens when scholars feel seen, supported and inspired.
Character counts — every month, every grade
Metro Charter Academy’s commitment to growth isn’t limited to academics. As part of the National Heritage Academies network, the school follows a Moral Focus curriculum that highlights a different virtue each month. In October, the focus was Respect, and, as scholars learned about this value, they were also encouraged to model it in the classroom, in the hallways and with their peers.
Moral Focus Assemblies create space to recognize growth that goes beyond test scores. Scholars who demonstrate kindness, personal responsibility or quiet leadership are lifted up by staff and peers alike. The school environment reinforces the idea that success includes who a scholar is becoming — not just the grades they’re achieving.
A leader who listens
Principal Kimberly Johnson leads with both strategy and heart. Families know her for her consistency and candor and also for the ways she responds to the real-life needs of the community.
When the recent government shutdown signaled a delay in SNAP benefits for local families, Johnson didn’t wait for outside help. She established a food pantry within the school, offering direct support to parents facing food insecurity. It’s just one example of how she listens to what families are asking for and acts with care and urgency.
“I thank parents every time they choose Metro,” Johnson said. “They trust us not only to keep their children safe, but to challenge them, nurture them and help them grow into confident learners and compassionate leaders. That’s a responsibility we take to heart every single day.”
Looking ahead
As Metro Charter Academy turns 25, the school leans into its identity as a place where scholars grow and sometimes return to help others do the same.
Principal Johnson reflects often on the legacy being built now. “What they’re doing now will shape future generations,” she said, referring to staff contributions that are recognized weekly in the school’s newsletter during this milestone year.
For families searching for a K–8 charter public school in Romulus — a school that values both heart and hard work — Metro Charter Academy continues to be a steady, inspiring choice.
This content is sponsored by Grand Valley State University Charter Schools Office. Learn more about Metro Charter Academy.
from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/otJC5f6
0 comments:
Post a Comment