Forté Music School
Alexa York, Office Coordinator
3208 W Sylvania Ave.
419-540-0070
ForteMusic419.com

How long has the school been in operation? Forté Music School was established in 2006, so this year will mark our fifteenth year in operation. Our enrollment has been steadily growing and we are approaching 700 students, up from just 150 six years ago!

How has your school adapted due to the pandemic? In the early days of the pandemic, we switched to fully online lessons, and are currently operating with a combination of in-person and online lessons. Additionally, we have instituted a wide array of safety measures, including installing upgraded air filters and UV lights in our HVAC system, adding an air purifier and limited occupancy seating in our lobby, and placing hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes in each room.

How is technology integrated into your classrooms? To make our music lessons more accessible, we offer the option of online lessons through Zoom,

Skype or FaceTime.

What is the teacher-to-student ratio in your classrooms? 1:1! Since we specialize in private lessons, our students are given individualized instruction with passionate, qualified teachers to best suit their personal musical ambitions.

In your opinion, what sets your school apart? We are the only school in the area to offer music lessons every day of the week, and we have a large team of 38 qualified instructors that can teach students of any age and ability level in one central location. Forté has the largest professional music school facility in Toledo, and we even offer biannual student showcases to give our students an opportunity to perform and show off their progress!

Children’s Discovery Center
Kristin Tansel, Education Director
6450 Weatherfield Court, Ste. 3, Maumee
419-867-8570
childrensdiscoverycenters.com

What is your school’s mission statement?

Children’s Discovery Center, a premier early care and education provider, respects the child, encourages learning through exploration and supports the family within a creative, nurturing and Christian environment.

How long has the school been in operation?

Our centers have been in operation since 1982. We currently have 5 locations in and around the Toledo area.

What kind of curriculum does your school follow and how is it implemented?

Our educational program views the child as competent, capable and amazing. We seek to nurture his/her interests. The teacher and children work together to design projects, which encourage growth in physical, emotional, creative and intellectual development. The teacher is a partner in learning with the child while acting as a resource, facilitator and documenter of learning in the classroom.

We believe that a creative environment is essential for inspiring young children to learn. Therefore, the Inspired Approach to Learning emphasizes aesthetic design elements such as color, focal points, texture, lighting, displays, furnishings and the use of nature.

Our environments include museum quality exhibits as well as an art studio where the children are encouraged to explore, make discoveries and use a wide array of creative media and materials.

Our Creative Director assures that our centers integrate natural elements into the environment, personalize the space with the children’s work and reflect current design trends based on research and the latest innovations.

iLEAD Spring Meadows Community School
Jessica Morse, 3rd grade facilitator
1615 Timberwolf Dr., Holland
419-491-7423
ileadspringmeadows.org

What is your school’s mission statement?

Free to Think. Inspired to Lead.

How long has the school been in operation? I was a founding facilitator when the school opened in 2016.

How has your school adapted due to the pandemic? Our school adapted by offering a fully virtual option or a hybrid option to accommodate the

families in our school community. We are now back on campus a full 5 days a week with the option for families to remain virtual if that is what works best for them.

What kind of curriculum does your school follow, and how is it implemented?

Project-based programs that are aligned with the state standards are used from Kindergarten through 8th grade. With an emphasis on voice and choice, learners work to develop interpersonal skills while collaborating with peers.

How is technology integrated into your classrooms? Facilitators in all grade levels have access to learner laptops to be used in the classroom setting for anything from project research to differentiated learning programs, to increase reading and math skills.

Is your school committed to diversity and inclusion? How do you demonstrate that?

We are very committed to diversity and inclusion, as that is part of our foundational beliefs. We demonstrate that by including learners of all strengths working together collaboratively in the same learning space. We have many intervention specialists that spend their day in the classroom to support all learners. We believe that all children learn and thrive when they are with their peers with support of specialists alongside them.

Hope Learning Academy of Toledo
Joella Simmons, School Leader
4234 Monroe St.
419-297-6313
HopeLearningacademy.org

What is your school’s mission statement?

HOPE Learning Academy of Toledo is committed to providing an excellent and accommodating education for children with special needs. Our classroom setting cultivates “self-reliance, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.” We have created a curriculum, through research, infused with social growth, sensory integration, and art enrichment.

How long has the school been in operation? 8 Years.

What kind of curriculum does your school follow, and how is it implemented?

At HOPE, it is important to us that our students learn not only the basics but also the skills necessary to carry them successfully through life. For this reason, our curriculum is a blend of the basic core content areas and the arts, infused with 21st century learning skills and life skills. HOPE Learning Academy also firmly believes that the core content curriculum, the arts and technology are intertwined in the real world. At HOPE, not only are the arts and technology taught as separate classes, they are also infused throughout the basic curriculum all through the day. This provides our students with yet another way to access the content and express what they know.

How is technology integrated into your classrooms? We pride ourselves in being a student-centered community driven by a rigorous academic program infused with art and state of the art technology (SMARTBoards, iPads, laptops) and supported through our Social-Skills and Sensory Integration programs. Our classroom environment cultivates “self-reliance, critical thinking and problem solving skills.”

Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School & Academy
Rob Lorenzo, Marketing Director
3225 Pickle Rd., Oregon
877-994-6798
cardinalstritch.org

What is your school’s mission statement?

Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School & Academy is a leader in Catholic education. We challenge all students to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in a family-oriented community that fosters academic and personal excellence. Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School & Academy is a family of faith, knowledge, and strength.

How long has the school been in operation? The school doors have been open since 1961. This upcoming year we will be celebrating our 60th Anniversary.

How has your school adapted due to the pandemic? Our school has had our students in the classroom, in person five days a week. We are proud of how our school family has adapted to social distancing in classrooms, wearing masks and everything in between. Our students, faculty and staff have made a commitment to maintaining all standards put in place in order to keep each other healthy and well so that we can continue to learn and grow together.

What kind of curriculum does your school follow, and how is it implemented?

We are the only Preschool-12 Catholic school in the Toledo area, but we pride ourselves on not only preparing our students for higher education, but creating well rounded individuals. Our curriculum varies from preschool to 12, but our Program of Studies and individual curriculum can be found at cardinalstritch.org/curriculum/

What kind of extracurricular activities do you offer? In grades Preschool-8: (sports offered through CYO, Oregon Rec and TAAC) cross country, football, flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, Tball, softball, baseball and track. In grades 9-12: (sports offered through TAAC) cross country, football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and track.

How is technology integrated into your classrooms? All of our classrooms are 1:1 with technology. Grades Preschool-1 have iPads and grades 2-12 have Chromebooks. Grades 7-12 take their Chromebooks home with them nightly.

How is your school committed to diversity and inclusion?

I think the better question is: How are schools improving? There’s always work to be done in schools and in our communities. With our student body, we’re creating more outlets for students to talk about real world issues by implementing a social issues class, and even more so— being open to their opinions and thoughts. Us as adults, listening, is a huge part of a student’s growth.

What is the teacher-to-student ratio in your classrooms? Preschool-6 ratio, 17 students : 1 teacher; grades 7-12 ratio 13 students : 1 teacher.

What does the average day for a student at your school look like? Depending on the grade level, we have a variety of different structures. Each structure prepares them for the next level. All of our schedules can be found at cardinalstritch.org/curriculum

In your opinion, what sets your school apart? At Cardinal Stritch Catholic High & Academy we always refer to ourselves as the Cardinal Family and we truly are just that. Our teachers support our students both inside and outside of the classroom, going above and beyond to help our students grow and reach their full potential. Our students support one another in the classroom, on the courts and fields and on the stage, cheering each other on to success. We support, love and care about one another just like a family and that family atmosphere is something that is carried over long after students leave our halls.