New school for at-risk kids comes to GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Wedgwood Christian Services on Friday announced the creation of a second specialized school for at-risk youth.

Hope Academy of West Michigan, a new general K-12 charter school, will open for the 2011-12 school year at the site of the former St. Francis Catholic School, a 32,000-square-foot building located at 250 Brown St. SE.

During its first year, Hope Academy of West Michigan's enrollment is expected to be 180 students and will be admitting students grades 2-12, adding kindergarten and first grade in the 2012-2013 school year.

The school will offer smaller student/staff ratios and provide at-risk students, who have been suspended long term from previous schools, with a proven behavioral teaching model in the classroom.

The curriculum includes family involvement in the student's learning plan. Components such as mentoring, job skill development, therapeutic and prevention groups will all be housed at Hope Academy of West Michigan. The school will have full-time therapeutic and case management staff to help students deal with non-educational needs that may have led to their lack of success in the past.

There will be no charge to attend the charter school.

To apply for Hope Academy of West Michigan, contact principal Heidi Cate at (616) 949.2287.

The new school will create 22 full-time and part-time jobs ranging from special education and bilingual instructors to a custodial position.

In 2005, Wedgwood opened Lighthouse Academy for expelled ninth through 12th grade youth, serving 17 students. Lighthouse Academy now serves more than 297 students on the campus of Wedgwood Christian Services, 3300 36th St. SE.

Both Lighthouse Academy and Hope Academy are charter schools authorized by Ferris State University.

"In the past, Lighthouse Academy has had to turn down requests from students' parents who wanted us to extend our innovative education model to their child's younger siblings," Cate said. "Hope Academy allows us to do this by extending our successful educational program to all students in the community and throughout the state who will benefit from our unique approach."

Cate will also continue to serve as principal of Lighthouse Academy.