WayPoint and Timberland Charter Academy Schools

Muskegon Township Charter Schools, are basically public schools run by outside entities. Like regular public schools, no tuition is charged to parents and every child that applies must be accepted (unless classrooms are full, in which case a lottery is held). Charter schools are overseen by state-approved sponsors like state universities, community colleges and local school boards. Charter schools are always under the direct supervision of the school board and operating sponsor. Charter schools also receive per-student funds and must adhere to all state and federal education, safety and health statutes.

WayPoint Academy in Muskegon Township is beginning this year with a new name, formally Muskegon Technical Academy, WayPoint's name change comes with a great history.

Awarded & Recognized
2008 U.S. Department & Michigan Department of Education NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL for improved student performance & achievement
Home of the 2008 Greater Jaycees "Young Educator of the Year" award winner
Michigan School Report Card grade = B; making AYP for repeated years
Recognized as a Top 20 School by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies

WayPoint Highlights
Tuition FREE
Offer Grades 5 - 12
Class sizes average 14-20 students
Full-time Career Services program
Only West Michigan school offering a Student Credit Union in partnership with Family Financial Credit Union (reinforcing our focus on financial literacy for students!)
Advanced Placement classes, 100+ Michigan Virtual High School classes, credit recovery classes, college classes through Dual Enrollment & Career Tech Center classes offered
Internships & apprenticeships offered in partnership with area business, industry and service providers for qualifying students
Summer programs offered for students of all ages
Highly qualified and certified teachers dedicated to student success
Strong Michigan Merit Curriculum offered with additional emphasis on Michigan Employability Skills & S.C.A.N.S. skills curricula.

TIMBERLAND CHARTER ACADEMY,

Home of the Timber wolves serves a diverse population of over 550 students.

Timberland's Mission: To provide each child with a safe, supportive learning environment. To foster the personal, social, and academic growth of every child. To develop respect and responsibility for oneself and others. Thus enabling each child to become a lifelong learner, responsible adult and productive citizen. Over 90% of students in grades 2nd through 8th attained their growth targets in the winter and spring assessments on the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) test. This test helps us monitor the areas where our students need improvement. Because of these gains, our students outperformed 99% of the national growth norm for the NWEA.

Mission Through the continuous collaboration of the staff and community, Timberland Charter Academy strives: To provide each child with a safe, supportive learning environment. To foster the personal, social, and academic growth of every child. To develop respect and responsibility for oneself and others. Thus enabling each child to become a lifelong learner, responsible adult and productive citizen. Educational Philosophy Every teacher should respect individual learning styles –willing to go the extra mile to reach each student. Curriculum should be flexible to incorporate these different learning styles by differentiating instruction. Abilities, interests and cultural aspects must also be addressed in an appropriate yet nurturing way. Hands-on, concrete experience is the most natural form of learning. Students should be aware of acceptable behavior and consequences when the rules are not followed. A school is NO substitute to a strong stable home; it is however, a place to foster accountability, responsibility, respect and care. The best approach to ensure our students reach their greatest potential is a collaborative one that continually addresses the needs of the children, their families, the school and the community.