GVSU charter school earns 'School of Excellence' status

A Grand Valley State University authorized charter school has been awarded ‘School of Excellence’ status by the university Board of Trustees.

To be considered a School of Excellence, 90 percent of the student body must be proficient in both reading and mathematics, or 70 percent if half or more of its students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. William C. Abney Academy has a 93.7 percent eligibility for free and reduced lunch, and met the MEAP standards with a three-year proficiency of 82.5 percent in reading and 85.1 percent in mathematics.

William C. Abney Academy offers a challenging, character-based education through a guaranteed and viable curriculum with academic and social expectations. It prioritizes the academic program and instructional time so each student reads, computes and writes at or above grade level. Students are expected to master basic skills and realize their full academic potential in preparation for higher education and adulthood.

The school will celebrate its success with a pair of assemblies on January 19. One will be held at 2 p.m. at the middle school campus at 256 Alger SE, and another at 3 p.m. on the elementary campus at 1435 East Fulton SE.