Four Corners Montessori Academy (FCMA) is a unique Montessori school serving the metro Detroit area. The opportunity for a tuition-free Montessori education creates a diverse student population, which helps to create cultural awareness. FCMA has an outstanding volunteer base that helps offer additional events to the school as a whole. The school is staffed with people who are passionate about the Montessori philosophy.
New Programs Create Professionals
Four Corners Charter Academy has launched new programs that are designed to help further the success of its students. The Middle School Intern Program enables the students to experience the professional world and further their passions. FCMA participated with businesses, organizations, schools and local district courts to provide 7th and 8th graders with real world experiences within the classroom. Some of the businesses who partnered with FCMA to mentor students include: Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, District Courts in Royal Oak and Warren, Department of Natural Resources, Northeast Auto Service, CEC Engineering Controls Company, Walled Lake Veterinarian Clinic and more. Participating in the weeklong job shadows throughout FCMA and other local business locations is just one way students are expanding their education.
“We are so fortunate to have a community of parents, teachers and professionals who value real-life, experiential education,” said Chris Schoenherr, Head of School at FCMA. “Our students gained experience that will impact them through high school, college and beyond.”
Not only is Four Corners introducing their students to real world experiences, they have also added Latin Instruction for the Upper Elementary program. High School Information Night is another new program launched at Four Corners. Current families who attend this event are able to come and speak to a variety of public districts, charter and private high schools in the area. This allows students to see what education options are available to them after they complete FCMA’s 8th grade.
Espanoles Programa
Four Corners implemented a weekly Spanish Program four years ago, which allows preschool through 3rd grade students to make advancements in the area of foreign language. With the advantage of smaller group sizes, children are able to receive more individual instruction. This program is very interactive for students and gives them physical tools of teaching, engaging students visually and physically!
Opportunities that Enrich
Four Corners Montessori Academy offers athletics, art, reading, writing and math activities to their students. Outside companies provide a truly enriched experience introducing activities such as Mad Science, All the King’s Men, chess, yoga, Zumba, musical instruments, Spanish, golf and martial arts at a cost to families. Middle school students have recently begun to participate in enrichment classes in activities such as dance, art and sports to raise money for their upcoming travels.
Programs at Four Corners Take Flight
As Four Corners embraces a diverse student population, there is no doubt this on-going program was a definite success! Students participated in FCMA second annual all-school Cultural Fair held in March. Each classroom selected a country of Africa, researched it and then presented information and foods from their selected country. The parents of FCMA are very supportive of the school and the events, so much so that a parent who is a flight attendant greeted children and parents as she passed out passports for them to record their “travels” in!
Recognition of Achievements
Four Corners has been recognized as one of 20 charter schools in Michigan to receive a perfect score on Munetrix Financial Indicator, which measures operations performance, enrollment trends and fund balance status. As a school recognized for its excellence, the same can be said for the teachers at FCMA! MelissaSu Smith, a 1-3rd teacher, was recently recognized for her outstanding efforts and was honored with the Power of One award! MelissaSu is a great example and mentor to her students and colleagues. She does a wonderful job of inspiring others in the Character Education Program, community outreach for charity, and is always willing to share her ideas and materials with her colleagues. We are proud to have such dedicated staff.
The students of FCMA also deserve recognition for their dedication and outstanding efforts. Five students have been accepted into the International Academy High School for the 2014-2015 school year!