Volume 3 No. 5
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy Students in front of their new building

If you were to hold your hand up to depict a map of Michigan, Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy would be located right at the tip of your pinky. 

Away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city you will find one of the most unique schools in the state of Michigan. Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy, located in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, is a positive, nurturing environment for young learners. Authorized by Bay Mills in 2018, the academy focuses on project-based learning and community collaborations, allowing the students an experience like no other. They also believe in multi-age learning, where students from different grades come together and create bonds that will help them grow and prosper. Leelanau Montessori offers a tuition based preschool program, and free tuition for students five and above, as they hope for every child to have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

In January, Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy moved into a new facility that they had been renovating. Arden Wilson, the Lead Primary Guide and Program Director, spoke about the new building:
 
"Our forever home! The staff worked over their winter break to be ready for the grand opening in January. Our new home will allow us to deliver our Montessori curriculum and uphold a vibrant vision for the future! So very many people, organizations and community advocates have worked incredibly hard to ensure a Montessori choice here in Leelanau County. The staff now can relish in that community support and begin the treasured work of teaching in a brand new environment. The children are settling in and making the space their own as well.  We are a resilient and determined group of people! The land that surrounds the school is proving to be a magical opportunity.  There is a creek, mature pines and open spaces for play and discovery. A natural playscape will be developed in the coming years."

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy Facilities 

The Academy educates students from their toddler years until upper elementary. Apart from their multiple age learning groups, each level of a child's education at Leelanau Montessori is unique. Toddlers begin their intellectual development and discover their sense of independence. After this building foundation, primary education encourages the growth of the whole child and instills in them the joy of learning. Lower elementary years are spent learning core subjects while also discovering, with curiosity, all that the world can teach them. Finally, upper elementary helps to not only impart wisdom on the students but leads them to understand the nature of right and wrong through peaceful conflict mediation and community service.
 
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy has a program called The Leelanau Forever Foundation. Its mission is to establish and grow funds that will sustain the future of the Academy. This helps them provide students and their families a well-rounded, authentic education. The Academy is also a Michigan Green School, which means they "achieve environmental goals which include protecting the air, land, water and animals of our state". They were also ranked as the best educators in Leelanau County in 2018 by Niche.
 
On behalf of Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office, congratulations Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy on your forever home! 

Learn more about Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy by visiting their website: http://www.leelanaumontessori.org/ 

Interested in gaining educational experience? Or are you looking to add to your resume? Consider becoming a charter school board member for a public school academy authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office!
 
At Bay Mills Community College, we support a quality education to urban, minority and/or poor children.
 
Bay Mills will provide all of our academy boards with pertinent training so that they are able to make choices that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies .
 
Our public school academies are always looking for new members that bring a range of skills, experiences and desire to help the Academy students to excel academically, as well as having the goal of advancing the mission of Bay Mills.
 
Some requirements of the position:
  • Engagement with the goals of the Academy
  • Enthusiasm to be an ambassador for the Academy
  • Willingness to fulfill the obligation of a board member, as well as continue to uphold the standards of being a board member
           
Board Member Qualifications:
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of the State of Michigan
  • Submit materials requested by the College Charter Schools Office such as:
    • Public School Academy Board Member Appointment Questionnaire
      • Must include authorization to process a background check of the nominee
      • Submit annual disclosure of conflicts of interest
Members of the Board of Directors shall include:
  • At least one parent or guardian of a child attending the school
  • One professional educator; preferably a person with school administrative experience
Members of the Board of Directors shall NOT include:
  • Any member appointed or controlled by another profit or non-profit corporation
  • Academy employees or independent contractors performing services for the Academy
  • Any current or former director, officer, or employee of a management company that contracts with the academy
  • College officials or employees 
All Academy Board members shall serve in their individual capacity, and not as a designee of any other person or entity. If it is found that a person is serving as a representative or designee of another person or entity, they shall be deemed ineligible to serve as a Director of the Academy Board. They shall be removed from office in accordance with provisions found in the Resolution or Schedule 2: Bylaws.
 
Note that a Director serves at the pleasure of the College Board, and may be removed with or without cause by the College Board at any time.
           
Working with an Academy is the perfect opportunity to advance your career interests, expand your knowledge on education and help children receive a quality education that will last a lifetime. Apply to become a board member today!

For more information or to receive an application, please contact Megan Ringuette, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office Compliance Coordinator at 906-248-8419 or [email protected].
About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools
Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 22,000 students. Fall 2015: 22,729 and Spring 2016: 22,257
 
Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.