One minute you’re trying to find the best kindergarten for your bright-eyed little one and the next, you’re looking at high schools?! Bittersweet for sure. But the good news is that at Dr. Joseph F. Pollack Academic Center for Excellence (PACE Academy), not only are scholars prepared academically and socially for high school, they also get guidance about where and how to go as well. Our tuition-free elementary school located in Southfield, Michigan offers kindergarten through eighth grade-uninterrupted years of preparing our scholars as learners today and leaders tomorrow.
We’re Here to Help the Transition to High School
In 8th grade at Pace Academy, we celebrate how far we’ve come and plan ahead for where we’re going….literally. Our middle school counselor, Mrs. Riddle, spends time with small groups of eighth graders learning about what they want to achieve in high school. Then, she gives scholars ideas and options about which school might be a good fit. Given the exhausting list of high schools to choose from, Mrs. Riddle really helps narrow the focus so scholars can make a plan. There’s also a high school fair where area high schools come to the PACE campus and share what makes them special.
If there is an entrance exam for a potential high school, Mrs. Riddle guides scholars through taking practice tests so they’re prepared and ready to go. And remember, given that scholars have been using the 7 Habits tenets since kindergarten, planning, prioritizing, and setting big and small goals are already ingrained habits.
But wait, wasn’t there something about celebrating? While there is a lot of preparation for high school, at our engaged elementary and middle school we spend the year honoring our eighth graders. The eighth-grade class shares 7 Habits leadership knowledge at assemblies, takes a trip to Washington DC, and has all the graduation fun including a picnic, a dance, and a teary-eyed last day of school Clap Out. The graduation ceremony is the capstone to our Warrior career, complete with awards and speeches recognizing the amazing growth and scholarship of our graduating class.
Just Another Step in Your Greatness as a PACE Warrior
There may be a lot of changes between middle and high school, but at our tuition-free K-8, our scholars have been set up for success since kindergarten. From the start of school through 8th grade graduation they are creating great study habits and practicing ways to achieve. Scholars are nurtured through all nine years here, benefitting from one less transition as they navigate middle school in their safe Warrior haven. Here are a few more examples of ways PACE Academy sets scholars up for success:
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) EVERY day, first thing in the morning
- Leadership skills through our Leader in Me curriculum using the 7 Habits
- Extracurriculars like our archery class and team sports
- Enrichments like our Strings Program and gardening
- Personalized education with academic support from specialists and paraprofessionals
- Attention & dedication to different learning styles
- Engagement from inspired teachers who believe in their students
At PACE Academy, we are so excited about our scholars’ future! They are going to great places and we are here preparing them for success. Join our PACE Academy Warrior family and enroll today!
About PACE Academy
Dr. Joseph F. Pollack Academic Center for Excellence (PACE Academy) is a tuition-free public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Southfield, Michigan. At PACE Academy, we empower our scholars to realize their fullest potential through meaningful educational opportunities. We partner with our families and community in preparing our scholars to become dynamic leaders in the 21st century by celebrating the importance of collaboration and accountability in all we do. Join our growing school, enroll today!