Cole Academy

Cole Academy is Lansing's longest-standing charter school in the state of Michigan and received a charter through Central Michigan University in 1995. The Academy originated as an Early Childhood Center and over the years, gradually became a K-6 Public School. There have been some recent changes at Cole Academy. The Principal/Superintendent, Brian... Shaughnessy, began in August 2011. Combining a foundation of current, research-based, balanced literacy objectives and a sustained professional development direction using Literacy Lifeline consultants, have "raised the bar" for student achievement. Reader's and Writer's Workshops are the two imperative directions for Cole Academy. For math, over the past two years, we have used MSU Professors, and an ISD consultant. This year, we hired yet another expert at Cole to work with our teachers and students throughout the school year to work on a constructivist/project-based approach to teaching mathematics. Building further upon past professional development in math, this inquiry-focused direction will continue, using representations (manipulatives) and the new "Envision Math" program. Science also has a year-round consultant working with teachers and students and our science "kits" program. Cole Academy is working in conjunction with Okemos Public Schools providing dining services. This streamlined approach to servicing the needs of our students with an affordable hot lunch program has been received with positive reviews and accolades. The students are satisfied with the meals and the point-of-use system of payment through LunchTime (using a computer) has made lunch less hectic for all involved. Polyvision Interactive Whiteboards : All classrooms are equipped with Polyvision Interactive Whiteboards. This is an exciting teaching tool that will "revolutionize" the classroom. Not many schools in the state of Michigan can brag about Interactive Whiteboards in every classroom! New and Improved Curriculum(s) in place: Art, PE and Health have all undergone major changes and ...Read More