Forest City Academy: T-Minus 1

“Mr. Colas, my daughter is entering kindergarten this fall. Black, female, and living in this neighborhood, I feel like she has 3 strikes against her. Education will be her ticket to a better life. How can I prepare her for school?”

At the time, I was teaching kindergarten at the 2nd lowest performing school in Ohio where approximately 6% of 3rd and 4th graders read proficiently. 

A decade later, I sat in a graduate class taught by a member of Ohio’s State Board of Education. We discussed another school serving similar students. Millions in philanthropy. National attention. The results? Equally dismal.

I raised my hand and asked: “If this school, backed by all that money and attention can’t move the needle, what do you say to families like the ones I taught, who don’t have those bells and whistles but still believe their child deserves something better?

“Well,” she responded, “people forget that change takes a long time. We need to be patient.”

That answer still haunts me. Because here’s the truth: the school where I once taught is at about 6% proficiency today. A decade later -an entire childhood- and no progress. Kids only get one childhood. 

Patience is not a strategy.

At that moment, I knew my trajectory changed. We’d open a school built for the families that have been told “just be patient.” For the families who need something different but until now have not had feasible alternatives. For every child whose brilliance deserves to be seen, nurtured, and celebrated.

In doing so, we would be committed to being the most accessible alternative school in Northeast Ohio. Excellence, for us, is ensuring that price will not prohibit any family bought into the vision from getting in.

From the moment we greet students in the morning to the way we design learning experiences, allocate time, teach for mastery, celebrate growth, and close each day with gratitude, everything at Forest City Academy is intentionally different. That’s by design. 

The road has had its share of surprises- most notably when our original facility fell through last month- but we are ready to go and are incredibly blessed by people who have moved mountains to help us secure an alternative site and gone above and beyond in lending their expertise, time, talent, and treasure to see this to fruition. 

I won’t embarrass anyone by name here, but know that whatever the future holds, I am forever grateful for your investment.

Most importantly, we’re indebted to the families who have given us with the privilege of educating their child and committed to providing an environment and experience worthy of their child. 

Tomorrow, the real work begins as we honor, challenge, and celebrate the brilliance of each child entrusted to us. 

Thank you for being a part of this journey. If you are interested in supporting our work, we would love to connect.