now enrolling | tuition-free | young 5s – 8th grade
Top Portage MI, school for young learners
where every child is known by name
Small classes with a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, progress
reports in your hands every Friday, and teachers who partner
with you, not just your child. Tuition-free for families in
Portage, Kalamazoo County, and across Southwest Michigan.
Proudly serving Portage since 1998
Tuition-Free Public School
Parental Transparency
Accredited by Cognia
Authorized by GVSU
the basics
What is
oakland
academy?
Oakland Academy is an accredited, tuition-free public charter school
in Portage, Michigan, serving Young 5s through 8th grade since 1998.
What started with one building, two staff members, and a handful of
K–1 students has grown one grade at a time into a school families
across Portage, Kalamazoo, and Southwest Michigan trust.
Our focus hasn’t changed: explicit instruction in reading, writing, and
math, small classes, and instruction tailored to every student. And
because we’re a public school, every Michigan student is
welcome to apply.
If any of this sounds like your family,
keep reading
I never really know how my
child is doing
You will. Progress reports come home
every Friday, so there are no surprises at
report-card time.
My child feels lost in a big classroom
With a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio,
teachers know your child’s strengths,
struggles, and name from day one.
I figured a school like this costs money
Nope. Oakland is a tuition-free public
charter school, open to every Michigan
resident. No tuition, no catch.
My little one isn’t quite ready for Kindergarten
Our Young 5s program gives an extra
year of growth, confidence, and
foundational learning before
kindergarten.
Our family needs more flexibility
Oakland Bridge pairs learning at home
with weekly in-person days on campus.
Flexible, but never on your own.
I actually want to be apart of my child’s school
Parent involvement is a point of pride
here. Visit the classroom, join the PTO,
and know exactly what’s being taught.
Different families. Same answer. Oakland was built so every child is
known, supported, and challenged, with parents as true partners
every step of the way.
the oakland difference
why families
choose
oakland?
Everything you’d hope for in a great school, without the tuition bill
Strong Academics
Explicit, research-based instruction in reading, writing, and math, tailored to every student.
Weekly Progress Reports
Sent home every Friday, so you always know where your child stands.
Chartered by GVSU
Authorized and overseen by Grand Valley State University.
Small Class Sizes
A 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio and dedicated teachers who know every child’s strengths and learning style.
Support for Every Learner
Dedicated special education staff and individualized support so every student has what they need to succeed
Open to all Michigan Residents
No district boundaries. If you live in Michigan, your child is welcome to apply.
our programs
one community.
a place for every learner
From a child’s very first classroom to 8th grade graduation, in our building or from your kitchen
table, there’s a place for your student at Oakland, backed by a community that shows up, from
our PTO to our partnership with Twelve Baskets Pantry
Grades K-8| Portgae Campus
In Person at Oakland
Small classes, explicit instruction in reading, writing, and math, and teachers who know every student.
hybrid | home + campus
Oakland Bridge
Learning at home, connected at school. At-home learning paired with weekly on-campus days for support and friendship.
Age 5 | before kindergarten
Young 5s
The perfect start: an extra year of growth, confidence-building, and foundational learning for developing learners.
partner program | preschool + childcare
Oakland Early Learning Center
Our partner early learning center offers GSRP preschool and childcare, giving little ones a strong start before Young 5s and kindergarten at Oakland.
why we do what we do
OUR MISSION
The mission of Oakland Academy is to provide the
best fundamental education possible in an
environment that fosters enthusiasm,
competence, appreciation, and responsibility.
High Expectations, High Acheivement
what families are saying
hear it from
oakland parents
★★★★★
“We love that we get weekly reports
on how our daughter is doing! Love
the manners the children have with
the teachers.”
— Oakland Parent
★★★★★
“We love that we get weekly reports
on how our daughter is doing! Love
the manners the children have with
the teachers.”
— Oakland Parent
★★★★★
“We love that we get weekly reports
on how our daughter is doing! Love
the manners the children have with
the teachers.”
— Oakland Parent
accredited | authorized | trusted
a school families have
trusted for 25+ years
Accredited by Cognia
Oakland is nationally accredited by Cognia, an independent seal of quality for our academics, leadership, and continuous improvement.
Chartered by GVSU
Authorized and overseen by Grand Valley
State University.
Managed by Summit
Supported by Summit Management Consulting, LLC, with the operations behind a school that runs smoothly so teachers can focus on teaching.
Public and accountable: see our budget transparency, annual education reports, and board agendas & minutes.
enrolling is simpler
than you’d expect
Oakland is a public, tuition-free school open to all Michigan residents. Here’s
the whole process, start to finish.
Reach out or stop by
Request information, give us a call, or schedule a tour, whatever's easiest. We'll answer every question you have.
Apply online
Fill out our online enrollment application. No tuition and no application fee.
Seats are filled fairly
If applications outnumber open seats in a grade, we hold a random lottery, so every family gets an equal chance.
Welcome to Oakland!
Our registrar confirms everything and helps your student get ready for day one.
Questions about enrollment? Contact our Registrar, Shawn Boris, at (269) 324-8951 or boriss@oaklandacademy.org
for current families
stay in the loop
Follow Along
Classroom moments, school news, and reminders, all in your feed. School closures are posted on Facebook and local news.
Facebook Instagram Get Involved with the PTO →
A Week in the Life of an Oakland Bridge Student
A week in the life of an Oakland Bridge student combines learning from home with one day each week on campus at...
not quite ready to apply?
come see it
for yourself
The best way to know if Oakland is right for your family is
to walk through our doors. Not ready for a visit? Send us a
quick note and we’ll reach out with everything you need
to know.
