History

The parent volunteers referenced above were active and involved parents at the Glenmont Elementary School, located on Glenmont Road in north Columbus. This school functioned as a neighborhood school and had a supportive parent group who routinely contributed to the library program, teacher aide programs, and fund-raising.

During the energy crisis of the mid-1970s, Columbus Public Schools (CPS) instituted a period where students attended school one day per week to receive assignments and were "home-schooled" the rest of the week.
The following year CPS instituted a busing plan in which the school was scheduled to be closed and students bused across town. The parent group lobbied tirelessly to save the school but it fell upon deaf ears. Feeling frustrated and powerless over the things that would affect their children most, parents began to think about forming a new independent school - a school where parents could have active input into their childrens' education.

While that was under investigation, a building was located, curriculum was written, and state requirements were being reviewed. Subsequently, there was a one-year stay granted to the busing plan and Glenmont was granted another year of life. But the on-again, off-again nature of the school system convinced the parents even more that they needed to act in their own behalf.

The State of Ohio approved the school and that first school year opened in a small building on Indianola Avenue for grades four, five and six - with 34 students. Even in those first few years , the school included innovative programming, including foreign language and specialists in physical education, art, and music. These were practices nearly unheard of in the public schools.

After two years and with enrollment of 45, the academy had outgrown its first building. The school moved into its present location at 3916 Indianola Avenue. This former sheltered workshop needed extensive renovation - all of which was accomplished in 30 days by parent volunteers! At this time, grades two, three, and seven were added. Followed by one and eight within the next few years and eventually kindergarten. The State of Ohio issued a permanent charter in January 1981 and the school has continued to receive excellent reviews, expand the physical facilities, and attract students and families who seek excellence in education.