Ann Arbor Learning Community

Ann Arbor Learning Community (AALC) is a K-12 public charter school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, authorized by Eastern Michigan University. Enrollment is open to all K-12 students residing within the state of Michigan. Because AALC is part of the public school system, tuition is not charged to any student desiring to attend. .

AALC first opened its doors in the fall of 1998.[1] With small, multi-age classrooms, AALC seeks to meet the individual needs of all students. The school currently has one Early Primary (K-1) classroom, one Primary (2-3) classroom, one Intermediate (4-5) classroom and two Middle School (6-8) classrooms. Students also have music, art, and physical education classes. Intermediate and Middle School students are given the opportunity to be a member of the instrumental music program.

In the fall of 2021, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) announced that it would not renew AALC's charter, which was scheduled to expire in the summer of 2022, citing a steep drop in enrollment and other concerns. AALC contended that it should not be penalized for the enrollment drop, alleging that the management company which it had hired, Global Educational Excellence had falsely inflated its enrollment figures. [2] [3] [4] According to EMU, AALC's enrollment had declined from 273 students in the 2020-21 school year to less than forty, and had lost virtually all of its high school enrollment following the dispute with GEE. [5]

School Mission

The mission of Ann Arbor Learning Community is to nurture independent learners as they acquire the tools they need to shape an environmentally and socially responsible future. Furthermore, in a supportive, student-centered community that appreciates uniqueness, AALC helps students develop a strong sense of self and a lifetime love of learning. The school fosters the development of essential life skills and core academic knowledge through small, multi-aged classrooms that honor the learning and creative strengths of each student.[6]

Extracurricular Activities

Ann Arbor Learning Community does not offer any sports teams, although girls can choose to participate in Girls on the Run.[7] Intermediate and middle school students may also join an after school history club with the goal of participating in the Michigan History Day and National History Day competitions. In the 2011–2012 school year, two middle school students from Ann Arbor Learning Community advanced to the national level of competition and another was named an alternate.[8]

References
  1. Official website.
  2. Jesse, David (March 28, 2022). "Ann Arbor charter school fighting for survival says management firm made up student count". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  3. Slagter, Martin (March 30, 2022). "Ann Arbor charter school in legal battle with management firm it alleges gave fraudulent student count". Ann Arbor News. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  4. Dodge, Samuel (March 30, 2022). "EMU distances itself from Ann Arbor charter school lawsuit, after dropping authorization". Ann Arbor News. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  5. Thrasher, Melissa (March 15, 2022). "Eastern Michigan University statement regarding non-renewal of Ann Arbor Learning Community charter". EMU Today. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  6. [Ann Arbor Learning Community 2010 Staff Handbook]
  7. "Ann Arbor Learning Community. "Girls on the Run."". Archived from the original on 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  8. "Ann Arbor Learning Community. "Michigan History Day."". Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2013-02-12.

42°13′53.2″N 83°44′02.2″W


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