Cesar Chavez Academy first multi-campus charter district in MI to earn NCA mark
If you walk through the doors of any of the academy’s four campuses, it is immediately evident: the atmosphere is one of learning, respect, family, caring and safety. "Every minute counts; there is no wasted time here," explained school leader Cheri Wasiel, who has since transitioned to a new leadership position in Phoenix. Teachers make instructional decisions for every child based on performance data - and small group interventions are key to addressing individual needs. The 1,800+ students at César Chávez Academy thrive in the culturally diverse and bilingual environment. While 35% of students are technically English Language Learners (ELL), a much higher percent speaks English as a second language. District-wide, 94% of students come from economically disadvantaged families; about 12% have special needs. Cindy Taraskiewicz, school leader at the Martin campus, explained that there are many systems in place that help ensure success for CCA students. Among them: At the high school campus, achievement takes on a new meaning as the students prepare for life beyond high school. Seniors each have a netbook computer they use to take classes online, do research and complete assignments. Honors courses, dual-enrollment, Brigham Young University online, athletics, and community partnerships enhance the learning experience here. The school’s Michigan Merit Exam, ACT and MEAP scores continue to rise, and the academy reports a graduation rate of about 75%. All four campuses made Adequate Yearly Progress last year. The Leona Group now manages 23 schools that hold NCA accreditation, including all 15 Arizona high schools, Consortium College Preparatory Academy (Detroit), Hope of Detroit Academy, Francis Reh Academy and the Academy for Business & Technology. Leona schools nationwide are currently pursuing NCA accreditation. Cesar Chavez Academy is a free public charter school featuring personalized attention, dress code, full-day kindergarten, athletics and a bilingual, multicultural environment. Charter sponsor is Saginaw Valley State University. The academy is managed by The Leona Group.The AdvancED Accreditation Commission and Board of Trustees formally recommended César Chávez Academy for District Accreditation at their June meeting. The accreditation is for all of the academy's campuses in Southwest Detroit, making it the first multi-campus charter district in Michigan to receive the mark.
