FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Choosing the right school is an important decision, and it’s natural to have questions along the way. Whether you’re exploring enrollment, learning about our programs, or wondering what makes East Shore Leadership Academy different, we’re here to help. As a tuition-free public charter school serving students from preschool through 8th grade, East Shore Leadership Academy is committed to providing a nurturing and challenging environment where students can grow academically, develop strong character, and discover their unique gifts. Below you’ll find answers to some of the questions families ask most often. If you don’t see your question, our team is happy to help.
What is East Shore Leadership Academy?
East Shore Leadership Academy (ESLA) is a free public charter school of choice for students in grades K-8.
What makes East Shore different from a traditional public school?
East Shore Leadership Academy is a school that is governed by citizens, parents, educators and the community. East Shore Leadership Academy is free to be innovative in its teaching strategies and learning styles. They can create their own “niche”. East Shore Leadership Academy must meet the educational needs of students or they will lose their charter through NMU.
Who governs East Shore Leadership Academy?
East Shore Leadership Academy will have it’s own governing Board of Directors. The Board members are Recommended to NMU and then approved by NMU. Board members are local community individuals committed to ESLA and its vision and mission.
East Shore Leadership Academy will develop it’s own educational goals, curriculum, delivery of instruction strategies, and methods of assessment and evaluation. Students will also be required to take the State of Michigan assessment.
Is East Shore accountable to anyone?
Yes. Actually the school has an additional two layers of accountability compared to the traditional public school system:
- The ESLA Board of Directors
- NMU
- Michigan Department of Education
- Parents
East Shore Leadership Academy will develop it’s own educational goals, curriculum, delivery of instruction strategies, and methods of assessment and evaluation. Students will also be required to take the State of Michigan assessment.
What does East Shore emphasize?
- Safe and nurturing learning environment
- Small class size
- Rigorous curriculum
- Development of each student’s leadership skills
- Training in etiquette and manners
- Extended day
- Extended school year
- Full day kindergarten
- Required dress code
- Lunch program
- Latchkey program
- After school activities
Are the teachers at East Shore qualified to teach?
East Shore Leadership Academy will employ teachers with college degrees and State of Michigan teacher certification. Teachers must be “Highly Qualified”. Meet our staff →
Do parents have to pay tuition?
No. East Shore Leadership Academy is authorized and funded by the State of Michigan. East Shore Leadership Academy will receive the same level of State Aid per pupil as the Port Huron Area School District.
How are students selected?
Enrollment for 2025-26 is open to students entering Kindergarten – grade 8. East Shore Leadership Academy may not select its own student population. The school must offer all applicants an equal opportunity to be admitted and may not discriminate against any student or population for any reason.
What if more students apply than there are seats?
East Shore Leadership Academy will establish an open enrollment period and widely advertise the program. Students will be selected randomly if applications exceed enrollment/seat space.
When does school begin, and what are the daily hours?
School will begin the day after Labor Day. The student daily schedule will be 8:00A.M. – 3:30P.M. Monday – Friday and building hours will be 7:30A.M – 4:00P.M. Monday – Friday. The yearly school calendar will contain 180 days (180 day minimum) of instructional time. East Shore Leadership Academy will not provide bus transportation. This will be the responsibility of the parent.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. All students will have a mandatory dress code. It is the firm belief that if the students are to be leaders in the community they must reflect that through the manner in which they dress. There will be occasional dress-down days. The basic dress code requirement is below:
Permitted attire:
- School shirts will be polo style shirts that must be one solid color without any logo.
- Dress slacks will be navy blue, black, khaki or grey worn at the waist. Knee length shorts or Capri in navy blue, black, khaki, or grey are permitted until October 15 and after April 1. Exceptions may be made in the event of unseasonably warm weather.
- Sweaters or zip-up hoodies must be one solid color without any logo.
- Girls may wear dress slacks, knee-length shorts, skorts, skirts or jumpers in navy blue, black, khaki, or grey.
- Socks or tights must be worn at all times.
- Shoes must have a closed toe.
- Jewelry may be worn providing it is not distracting and does not present a safety hazard.
- Tennis shoes may be worn with uniforms.
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public schools
- There are 296 public charter schools in Michigan, educating about 9.4 percent of the state’s students. The first charter schools opened in Michigan in the fall of 1994.
- Charter schools are popular in the state’s biggest cities, where the traditional schools have struggled the most.
- In Detroit, more than 51 percent of students attend a charter school – the second-highest percentage of any city in the country.
- Flint, nearly 40 percent of students attend a charter school.
- The percentage of charter school students is also extremely high in Lansing, Saginaw, Grand Rapids and Traverse City.
- Charter schools are subject to all the same rules and regulations of traditional public schools, and charter school students have to take all the same tests as other public school students.
- Charter school teachers are required to be state-certified.
- Charter schools MUST accept every student that applies. “Cherry-picking” students is illegal, and doesn’t happen. If there are more applicants than a school has capacity for, a lottery is held.
- About 9 percent of charter school students in Michigan receive special education services, compared to 11 percent in traditional public schools.
- More than 50 percent of charter schools in Michigan serve high school grades.
Achievement
- Research released in 2013 by the respected CREDO Institute at Stanford University found that a typical charter school student in Michigan gains an additional two months of learning every year in reading and math, compared to a traditional public school student.
- In Detroit, students gain an additional three months of learning every year.
- Students enrolled in charter schools in all types of communities in Michigan learn significantly more in both reading and math compared to their peers in traditional public schools. Students in rural charter schools showed the biggest gains over their traditional peers in both reading and math.
Demand for charters as a choice
- Charter schools are extremely popular among the general public, both in Michigan and nationally. A 2014 poll in Michigan by MRG showed that 68 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of charter schools, compared to just 21.3 percent who oppose them.
- More than 1 million students nationwide are on a waiting list, showing demand for charter schools.
- Charter schools are not a partisan issue and are supported by both Democrats and Republicans.
- Since the first charter school opened in Minnesota in the early 1990s, all three U.S. Presidents (Clinton, Bush and Obama) have been strong proponents of charter schools.
- The federal Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act was recently approved with bipartisan support. Parents can explore choices for their child’s education on ChoicesInEducation.com
Accountability and oversight
Charter schools are subjected to a triple layer of oversight. Charter schools are accountable to:
- Their authorizer – a public education institution
- Their publicly appointed school board, and
- The residents of Michigan.
Still have a question?
Call the office at (810) 294-8040 or send us your question and we’ll get back to you.