The choice between private, public and charter schools can be overwhelming. From curriculum to mission, enrichment activities to tuition, the seemingly endless options for personalization can make narrowing down your decision even more difficult. If you are new to charter schools, we’d like to take this opportunity to demystify the charter school choice and illuminate the incredible tuition-free education available for K-8 grade students in Southfield, Michigan at Dr. Joseph F. Pollack Academic Center for Excellence (PACE Academy).
What is a Charter School?
A charter school is a publicly funded, independently operated public school. Most charter schools are started from the ground up, by a team of passionate educators and parents who see a need in the community and decide to fill it. Our small school is no different: PACE Academy was started out of a desire to offer students and the greater Southfield and Detroit communities a tuition-free option for flexible and personalized learning in a caring, student-first setting.
What Can a Charter School Offer?
Charter schools are usually centered on the needs of the student, often through a personalized curriculum or specialized offerings. Free to choose their best path to success, charters can be an exciting hub of innovation and creativity. Highly qualified teachers are often attracted to work at charter schools for a chance to teach in a less restrictive way, with greater creative freedom, or with like-minded teachers and staff.
Tuition-free PACE Academy offers opportunities that just can’t be found at bigger schools:
- Personalized learning
- Supportive enrichments
- Field trips that reflect classroom learning
- Student leadership & clubs
- Engaging electives like our strings program
- Incoming Kindergarten Summer Orientation Camp
- Variety of after-school activities including tutoring
- Character Development using Leader in Me, featuring the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Unwavering support for your future
PACE Academy hires certified, experienced teachers, who are the heart and soul of our school. Our scholars never feel like a number here. We get to know our students, providing care and support on their educational journey.
How Do I Enroll in a Charter School?
Enrolling at our tuition-free charter school is easy. Visit our Enrollment page on our website and click on the red “Application” option. Complete the application form and hit submit. Once you've submitted all the necessary paperwork and transcripts, come visit us. Families (including students!) meet with our assistant principal who takes the time to answer any questions and give you an overview of our school. We also give you a tour so you can see our classrooms, library, music and art rooms, gym and, of course, the playground.
Approximately two weeks before school starts there’s a Parent-Student Orientation so families can meet teachers, sign up for clubs and figure out where lockers are. If students are enrolling during the school year, that’s great, we have students help your child navigate their schedule and make new friends.
In a sea of large schools and endless options, our small, student-centered elementary school feels like the perfect place to call home. Ready to choose a charter school for your child’s K-8th grade experience? We’re enrolling and can’t wait to welcome you.
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!