Collinwood K-8 Community Schools Reopen with Positive Changes

At East Academy, students physically distance using vinyl decals on the floor as visual reminders.

ACCEL Schools in Collinwood are reopening with new programming and leadership for the 2020-21 school year. East Academy and Lake Erie Preparatory School are tuition-free, public charter schools serving K-8 students.
Dr. Sheila L. Sherman joins East Academy as principal with over 25 years of experience. The staff has worked over the summer to brighten the campus and reopened on August 20th offering three learning options to families: Traditional (5 days at school), Online (5 days at home), and Hybrid. About one-third of students are attending traditionally and are observing strict safety guidelines outlined by the Ohio Dept. of Health such as daily temperature checks, wearing facemasks, frequent handwashing, bringing their own water bottle, and more.
Award-winning leadership standout Denecia Dillard returns as principal of Lake Erie Preparatory School, one of the top-performing schools in Cleveland for Value-Added gains (the amount of learning students accomplish in a single school year). Lake Erie Prep reopens on September 8th with an emphasis on social-emotional curriculum which will be taught as a new specialty subject and supports student wellness and empowerment in response to current events. Lake Erie Prep is reopening Online for the first nine weeks of school.
Both schools are loaning Chromebooks to students and just announced an Internet Reimbursement Policy. “Grab & Go” breakfast and lunch will be free for pick-up as part of the National School Lunch Program.