Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy Graduates First High School Class

By Haika Gay

On Saturday, June 9, Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy in Brighton celebrated the graduation of its very first high school class. The 23 students of the CSPA Class of 2012 earned their diplomas by not only meeting the requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum but also by achieving full mastery of that curriculum at an 80% or above performance standard as CSPA does not accept grades of C and D as passing.

Equally important to their academic achievements was the growth the graduates evidenced in their moral and character development, intellectual capabilities, empathy and kindness, and poise and sophistication in their language and demeanor. These young people took full advantage of the comprehensive, whole child education they experienced at both Charyl Stockwell Academy and Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy. 

The solemn and memorable commencement ceremony confirmed for these students their decisions to pursue their education at this high performing preparatory high school. The graduates were addressed by their fellow classmate and CSPA Senior Scholar Clare Kostesich, Charyl Stockwell Academy founder Chuck Stockwell and guest speaker Mary Kay Shields, Deputy Director at the John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University. All speakers remarked on the strength and commitment of the pioneer class, praised the students’ significant achievements and offered them words of wisdom and encouragement for the future. The text of the three speeches can be viewed at the CSA District website (www.csaschool.org).

Many members of the CSPA Class of 2012 are headed on to a wide variety of colleges, while others will be opening their own businesses or pursuing their dreams in the arts. All are fully ready and able to move on to the next phase of their educational journey. As the Class of 2013 gears up for their senior year, Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy looks forward to growing their high school preparatory program that provides young people with the character and academic tools they need to change the world.