Starting kindergarten is a big milestone for children and families. Many parents are looking for a school that feels safe, caring, and personal.

If you’re searching for a tuition-free kindergarten in Westlake, Westlake Academy offers a unique opportunity: a small, intimate school environment serving only grades K–2, intentionally designed for young learners.

Why a K–2 School is the Ideal Way to Start Kindergarten

For many families, large elementary schools can feel overwhelming for a child’s very first school experience. We focus exclusively on the developmental needs of early learners.

Because we only serve kindergarten through second grade, our school is able to provide:

· Smaller class sizes

· Close relationships between students and teachers

· More individualized attention

· A calm, nurturing school environment

This intentional design helps kindergarten students transition into school with confidence, security, and a strong sense of belonging.

Safe and Nurturing Environment

Safety and emotional well-being are at the heart of everything we do. Our school is structured to feel welcoming and familiar—so children can focus on learning, making friends, and enjoying school.

Families choose Westlake Academy because we provide:

· Safe, closely supervised classrooms

· Caring educators experienced in early childhood education

· Consistent routines that help children feel secure

· A school culture built on kindness, respect, and trust

When children feel safe and supported, they are more confident learners.

Balancing Academics with Social-Emotional Growth

Our kindergarten program balances strong academic foundations with social-emotional learning and play. Students learn how to be part of a classroom community while developing essential early skills.

Kindergarten students experience:

· Developmentally appropriate literacy and math instruction

· Social-emotional learning and relationship building

· Hands-on activities that spark curiosity

· Time to move, play, and explore in a structured setting

Because our school serves only young learners, every part of the day is designed with kindergarten success in mind.

Convenience for Growing Families

For families with younger children, we also offer the convenience of an adjacent daycare, which supports a smoother transition into kindergarten and the early elementary years.

This proximity helps create:

· Consistent routines for children

· Easier drop-off and pick-up for families

· A connected early childhood experience

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Give your child a gentle, confident start to their school journey—one rooted in care, safety, and connection.

Westlake Academy earned an Accely award for Outstanding Teacher Retention at this year’s ALIVE25 Summit, the annual gathering of ACCEL Schools leaders from across the country. This award recognizes the school’s dedicated team of educators who choose to stay year after year, providing stability and building strong relationships with students.

“I’m inspired by the educators at Westlake Academy for their dedication to our students,” said Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools. “They make a real difference in children’s lives, and we’re proud to recognize their success.”

Held annually, the Accelys celebrate the standout achievements of educators across ACCEL Schools’ network of 85+ public charter schools, which serve students from PreK through 12th grade. Awards honor excellence in areas like student attendance, teacher commitment, enrollment growth, financial stewardship, and academic progress.

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Ready to join our award-winning school?

PARENT PORTAL

You will need the student code from your school office to sign up.

• Check your child’s grades
• Communicate with teachers
• Update personal information

Sign up using an internet browser! Access the Parent Portal

Download Flyer (PDF)

January is School Board Appreciation Month

As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, we want to take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of our dedicated Board of Directors. Their unwavering commitment to our charter school community has been instrumental in shaping our school into a thriving hub of learning and growth.

Why Charter Schools Matter

Our charter school offers a unique educational experience that is:

• Tuition-Free: Accessible to all families in our community, regardless of their financial situation.
• Safe and Secure: Providing a nurturing and supportive environment where students can learn and thrive.
• Community-Focused: Partnering with parents, teachers, and the broader community to create a strong educational foundation for our students.

The Role of Our Board

Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our school. They:

• Set the Vision: Establish a clear and inspiring vision for our school’s future.
• Make Informed Decisions: Carefully consider all options and make sound decisions that benefit our students.
• Provide Oversight: Monitor the school’s operations and financial health.
• Advocate for Our Students: Represent our school’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Recruit and Support Quality Staff: Help attract and retain talented educators who are passionate about our mission.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Board members for their tireless efforts. Their dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on the lives of our students.

Let’s take a moment to thank our Board members for their invaluable contributions. Their commitment to our school’s mission is truly inspiring.

Westlake Academy is pleased to announce the addition of a new language learning program for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 2. This free program will introduce Arabic during the first semester and Spanish in the second semester as part of the regular school day.

This initiative is designed to provide students with the opportunity to build early communication skills and explore cultural diversity in a meaningful way.

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We’re looking forward to supporting our students’ learning journeys through this exciting language learning program.

When it comes to education, a great start can make all the difference. Our students excel with the support of nurturing teachers, a safe and secure environment, and individualized learning experiences. This solid foundation sets them up for growth and success from the very beginning. Explore the opportunities our school has to offer your child!

Early Learning Programs

• Free, full-day Kindergarten
• Early entrance to Kindergarten option! Four-year-olds with birthdays between 10/1-12/31 who pass an assessment are eligible to enroll
• On-site before & after school care & sibling care in partnership Creative Playrooms (fees may apply)
•     On-site childcare starting at 6 months (fees may apply)
•     Summer programs to keep students active & engaged all year

Well-Rounded Academics

• Extended instructional minutes in Reading and Math provide practice & support to improve student mastery
• Creative instruction in art, music, and movement fosters imagination & self-expression
• Social-Emotional skill building to manage emotions & make responsible decisions
• Extracurricular & enrichment activities that spark interests & talents

Special Features

• Caring teachers & staff
• Hands-on, project-based approach to college prep education
• Safe, secure campus includes outdoor playground, cafeteria, gym & more
• Hands-on, project-based approach to career readiness education
• Free tutoring to support student achievement
• Free breakfast & lunch

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The future is bright with Westlake Academy! Start your application today:

Congratulations to Westlake Academy on winning an Outstanding Student Attendance Award at ACCELence2024, the annual leadership summit hosted by ACCEL Schools. The award was given to nine schools across the ACCEL network that achieved average daily attendance of 92% or higher – no small feat in a year that schools nationwide are still reporting high rates of absenteeism.

 “It is an honor to recognize the staff and leadership who share our mission and strive to make quality education available to all children,” said ACCEL Schools CEO Ron Packard who presented the awards on July 10.

Recognizing the hard work and success of schools, teachers, and principals is an important tradition at ACCEL Schools, a network of 98 public charter schools serving PK-12 students. The Accelys are awarded to schools with outstanding operational and academic results including student attendance, teacher retention, enrollment growth & retention, fiscal responsibility, benchmark assessments, and state testing. Additional awards recognize outstanding teachers and administrative leaders within the ACCEL Schools network.

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Ready to take the next step and join us?

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking a moment to amplify our incredible instructional staff!

Teachers join our school with a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. With hearts of gold, teachers create nurturing classroom environments, develop inspiring lesson plans, adapt instruction to meet individual needs, capitalize on real life teaching moments, support the social-emotional development of students & so much more.

Every school year, our teachers push themselves to the limit to reach each student in their care & to make a difference in each life. We are PROUD, APPRECIATIVE, and ADMIRING of our teachers for their meaningful work this school year. Please join us in thanking a teacher this week!

I am Melissa Cicerchi, the newly appointed Executive Director at Westlake Academy. I bring over 22 years of experience in education. I was a special education teacher for seventeen years, an assistant principal for two years, and a Center Director for almost 2 years. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree from Ashland University, and a principal certification through Lamar University in Texas.

I have two daughters, Lexi who is a freshman at North Ridgeville High School. She runs cross country and track. My other daughter is Delaney, who is in 6^th grade at North Ridgeville Academic Center. She is involved in cheerleading. My husband of 17 years is Mike. Mike works as an Athletic Trainer at University Hospitals and Brookside High School. Outside of work, you can find me carting kids from practices, reading romance novels, shopping, and traveling with my family.

It’s School Board Appreciation Month, and we’re taking a moment to thank the dedicated volunteers who guide our schools and shape the future of our students.

Their tireless work, often behind the scenes, makes a world of difference. Let’s show them some love! #SchoolBoardAppreciationMonth #ThankYouBoardMembers