Charter schools are public schools. They are publicly funded, tuition-free, and independently operated (not run by the local district). These schools must follow all of the same rules as traditional district schools when it comes to special education, state testing, teacher qualifications, and financial controls. They have autonomy in the areas of staffing, budgeting, curriculum and educational approach. Charter schools operate under a contract between the school and their state-authorized sponsor that outlines how the school will educate students and comply with all regulations in exchange for public funds. Many charter schools are run by a CMO or Charter Management Organization, which may or may not be a nonprofit organization, hired by the School Board. The Intergenerational Schools are small, independently run non-profit schools, with no CMO between the School Board and the school staff. Charter schools are independent, tuition-free public schools, in which any student may enroll regardless of academic ability
Mission Driven
Ohio’s charter school law passed in 1997, to allow greater innovation and choice for families. Most charter school operators want to offer students and the community a unique approach to learning. They may choose to focus on something specific like college preparation, arts and sciences, or a specific curriculum; the sky's the limit! The school’s unique mission drives the planning and decision-making, and influences every part of the student experience.
The Intergenerational Schools were co-founded by an educator/child psychologist and a neurologist who established a strong mission and vision: to connect, create, and guide a multigenerational community of lifelong learners and spirited citizens as we strive for academic excellence. Thanks to the vision of our founders, and a lot of support from the local community, The Intergenerational Schools have blossomed into thriving schools serving K-8 students of the greater Cleveland area, on both the east and the west sides of the city. As tuition-free charter schools, we have the flexibility to structure our school environment into multi-age classes where students learn at their own pace, and bring people of all ages together through intergenerational programs that help us meet our mission.
Student-Centered Choice
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all learning. An artistically inclined child can thrive in an arts-centered school, while another child may do best in a school with a focus on math and science. Students may thrive in smaller classes or with an emphasis on outdoor education. The ability to find a “just right fit” for your child’s education can make all the difference in their success.
Our simple mission is to put students and relationships first. The Intergenerational Schools celebrate the uniqueness of each child with small multi-age classes and personalized attention. We connect with community members who help encourage and support a love of learning. We offer a well-rounded education with foundational, project-based, and enrichment classes including art, music, gym, and yoga every week. Students stay with their teacher for more than one year, as they progress, building a firm foundation for all future learning. They develop critically important interpersonal skills for life, including the skills to be role models for their younger peers, which helps build their own confidence. We value students for who they are now and who they hope to become and we build solid, affirming relationships within our community that help students grow into the best version of themselves.
Freedom to Innovate
Because charter schools are free to choose different paths to success, they can be an exciting hub of innovation and creativity for educators. Highly qualified teachers are often attracted to work at charter schools for a chance to teach in a non-traditional and more progressive way, with greater creative freedom, or with like-minded teachers and staff.
The Intergenerational Schools break free of the traditional grade-level-based educational system that was established in the industrial revolution during the 1800’s and still widely used today. We are intergenerational within our multi-age classrooms (K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8) and our multigenerational approach to learning extends to the community creating a bridge between schooling and real life. We use a developmental approach to ensure that students build a firm foundation in a literacy-rich classroom. We believe when students are given the time to progress at their own pace, they grow into confident and capable learners. Students can learn from each other as well as teachers. This creates a learning community where everyone from student to adult is both a teacher and a learner.
Community & Size
Parents looking for a small school, where everyone knows their name, often look to charter schools to find a greater sense of community. Many charter schools are born out of a desire to create a like-minded community, where children can safely learn in a way that suits their needs.
Community is at the core of our safe and deliberately small K-8 public schools. At the Intergenerational Schools, every child gets personalized attention, caring instructors, and a close-knit learning environment. Communication between teachers and family is frequent. Special events invite families to our school to celebrate success and cheer on our growth. We lean on parents as our partners in growing well-rounded children into college-bound students and spirited citizens in their own communities.
The Intergenerational Schools strive to offer an excellent, flexible, and nurturing choice for your child’s education, where every student and family is a valued member of our community. We love our close-knit community and invite your family to experience all our schools can offer. We’re enrolling for the 2024-25 school year. Contact us for a tour today or get started by visiting our enrollment page.
About Intergenerational Schools
For 25 years, The Intergenerational Schools have served the greater Cleveland area with exceptional K-8 academics in a unique multigenerational learning community. We empower a love of learning through a holistic approach that includes personalized learning, enrichment, and healthy and caring relationships. With two neighborhood schools in Buckeye and Ohio City, we’re closing the achievement gap by providing a high-quality, tuition-free education to all. Our award-winning programs build confident, capable students who contribute to our extraordinary community. Get to know The Intergenerational Schools today: Where children thrive and community grows.