Rural Education Matters

On September 16, 2009 the Gerrish-Higgins School Board took it upon themselves to disregard the wishes of the voters and chose to schedule our elementary school for closure. In response to this questionable act of elected officials a group of citizens stepped forward to form Rural Education Matters...a non profit group concerned about the educational needs of our children and the economic viability of a community with no school.

After many meetings, consultations and discussions of the various options including charter schools, magnet schools, etc it was decided that St. Helen MI would be home to a new charter school.

In conjunction with Education Consultant Mark Eitrem, and Ralph Cunningham of Midwest Management we are delighted to be a part of the implementation and creation of the Charlton Heston Academy.

Charlton Heston Academy is a charter school being formed not only as a replacement for the elementary school that has been taken from our town but more importantly the Academy will offer a superior alternative to the basic public school.

Charlton Heston Academy will have a strong curriculum developed around technological, entreprenuerial, environmental, and constitutional development. It will be the core mission of the school to not only exceed state expectations in student development but to also go above and beyond in training our children for the real world...the expectations of them in the college environment, the work force, and as citizens of their community and country.