Oakland Academy was started 10 years ago by the Foundation for Behavioral Resources. It serves grades K-6 with an emphasis on the basics and a 10/1 student-teacher ratio. Students exceeded the state average on 10 of 13 MEAP tests last year. On the national Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress, Oakland students in every grade showed greater growth than their peers across the country, including by 30+ percentage points in grades 1 and 5 and by 25+ points in grades 2 and 6.

Oakland staff will be recognized during the 10th annual Michigan Charter Schools Conference, which will draw 30,000 educators from across the state. Oakland staff will not know of the award before receiving it during lunch on Friday, between 1 and 1:30 p.m. Oakland is one of 230 charter public schools in the state.

“Oakland Academy teachers, administrators, parents, students and board members are true leaders,” said Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA). “They provide a small, family-oriented environment that offers ultimate accountability. This is a model school that deserves replication nationwide for the benefit of children and communities alike.”

Principal Melissa Dahlinger said in addition to weekly report cards, a focus on the basics and low student-to-teacher ratio, children excel because of a tutorial assistance program that helps both those who have special needs and those who are above grade level. Math groups let students advance at their own pace, and a Character Counts program and community service projects help children develop exemplary behavior.

“We offer a choice many families look for…Parents feel like they’re part of a learning community. They know what’s going on with their child, not just academically, but emotionally and socially, too.”

Dr. Grace Emley, school co-founder and president of the Augusta-based Behavioral Research Foundation, said the organization plays a key role in the school. Its board members come from across the country, from entities such as Johns Hopkins University. Most directors are psychologists dedicated to operating education like a business, with strong accountability and extensive teacher training.

The foundation helps teachers become experts in matters such as classroom management, behavior management and the psychology of learning. Oakland teachers have a performance pay system, earning up to an additional 20 percent of their salary based on academic performance.