By Deborah M. Walker and TNCP StaffWith so many schools allowing enrollment of students outside of their districts and specialized curriculums, from math and science to arts and performance, it is becoming the norm that parents have so many educational opportunities to choose from.
A school nestled in a quiet neighborhood on Lansing’s north side of town, on property once home to the Michigan School for the Blind, is set to make a difference and carve out a niche in the education field. Dr. Sephira Shuttlesworth, Director at Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy (MMLA), said their school is focused on equipping students with the necessary skills needed to advance in their academic careers.
“Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy is all about preparing our students for college and for success in life,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
There are 305 students at the academy. According to Dr. Shuttlesworth, there is unison and autonomy between parents, teachers and the curriculum taught. Everyone is on the same page and that means keeping students on the right track for college an easy transition for all. MMLA is a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade public school. It opened in 1996 and is authorized by Central Michigan University.
There is still debate over charter schools said Dr. Shuttlesworth. One of the main concerns is that charter schools take money away from public schools. She lamented that the focus should be on helping all children succeed regardless of the school they choose.
“Some people, because of my history and the history of my husband, they were surprised to see me representing charter schools. The fact of it is [I’m] representing all schools… My greatest wish would be that all schools meet the needs of children,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
She said she cannot do an interview without mentioning her husband, the late Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth who was a pioneer in the desegregation of schools and was an activist in the fight for education equality for all. Rev. Shuttlesworth was instrumental in the integration of white schools.
Dr. Shuttlesworth said her husband took a beating on the streets of Birmingham, Alabama in 1957, because he was trying to enroll two of his daughters and one of their friends into an all-white public high school. That had a significant impact on the two.
“That is one of the things that brought us together,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
For Dr. Shuttlesworth her quest is not about making history, it’s about bringing forth change.
Dr. Shuttlesworth said that is not the case right now. According to Forbes.com, public schools continue to lag behind charter schools in term of graduation rates. She added that it is important that all students are prepared for college, not just some. When this happens, everyone benefits. Students are better prepared to compete in a global economy and get the employment needed to take care of themselves and families, therefore, adding to a culture of success.
“All children in all settings need equal access and equal opportunity to a good education. It’s good for families, it’s good for communities and it’s good for our nation and the world,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
Entering her third year at the academy, she said it was a new experience in the beginning. Not knowing much about Michigan before accepting the position, she is making strides.
“We’re at a point where I feel like we’ve built a good team and we’re starting to show progress,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
No stranger to adversity, Dr. Shuttesworth was born in Jackson, Tennessee on August 13, 1957. In the summer of 1966, she and two siblings, integrated Pope Elementary School in Jackson, Tennessee. Showing more perseverance she began college at Union University while still a student at North Side High School in Jackson, Tennessee. This allowed her to complete a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education in less than 3 years.
Pursuing her passion for education, Dr. Shuttlesworth moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1979, where she began a career as an educator.
Dr. Shuttlesworth said she understands change takes time. She said that is the most difficult part and added it is easier to establish a new school rather than to turn around an older one. MMLA has been in the neighborhood for some time and that comes with its own barriers.
“We are in a position now that we are growing academically as well as our student clientele,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
MMLA offers a variety programs to keep them competitive. There is a Boys and Girls Club on site at the facility as well as after school tutoring. There is also an afterschool program where parents can pick their student up as late as 5:15 p.m. Pre-school is also offered, however that program is currently full.
Dr. Shuttlesworth said the main focus has been on college preparation. Since taking over the school 3 years ago, college readiness has been at the forefront of the agenda.
“We are academically focused right now,” said Dr. Shuttlesworth. “When we arrived here we found out a few weeks later that the scores were pretty dismal… and so that is what our priority has been at the academy.”
MMLA has also been involved in bringing the community together explained Dr. Shuttlesworth. Hosting some events during the summer, MMLA is dedicated to keeping the academy active in the neighborhood. Partnered with the Lansing Police Department (LPD), the academy hosts the Summer Jam, which is a neighborhood block party. After the party, the activities move across the street to Comstock Park for Round Ball, a basketball game hosted by LPD.
MMLA has also partnered with Rina Risper and The New Citizens Press for the Walnut Neighborhood Organization picnic. According to Shuttlesworth, the academy participates in a number of community events such as Bless Fest, which is an annual Christian music festival.
There have been significant changes to the academy in recent years. One of the biggest changes has been bringing Dr. Shuttlesworth on board and changing to the SABIS organization in 2013.
“We are from a parent organization, the SABIS organization that is known throughout the world for excellence in education” said Dr. Shuttlesworth.
For over 100 years, SABIS Organization has provided students with quality education. Rigor has been implemented in their classrooms for years and has gotten results. According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), rigor is the result of weaving together all elements of schooling to improve the achievement and learning of every student.
According to Dr. Shuttlesworth, rigor is surpassing the established standards so that children can be successful in whatever it is that they may do once they leave the academy.
“It is learning that exceeds the minimum. Oftentimes standards are based on minimums and we want to not just hit the minimum, we want to exceed that… When you’re preparing children for 21 Century life they need to enter college prepared to do college and do it well,” explained Dr. Shuttlesworth.
Dr. Shuttlesworth said MMLA is on the ground floor and the expectations for the future are great. The goal is to make the services and education opportunities available to more children. That starts with offering a high curriculum that attracts more students and parents. She added that MMLA offers studies that are competitive to even private schools.
She said, “We actually have a school in Minnesota, our first school here in the U.S. which is a private school, and parents pay upwards of $18,000 for the same curriculum that these children receive for free. So I don’t think it gets much better than that. It’s the reason I traveled all the way from Alabama to Michigan to run a school.”
For more information about Mid-Michigan Leadership academy give them a call at 517-485-5379 or stop in to 730 W. Maple Street, Lansing, MI 48906.
This article was printed in the September 20, 2015 – October 3, 2015 edition.
