04/06/2026
For our April MEC District Partnership Spotlight, we are highlighting Choice Schools Associates! Choice Schools is a dedicated Michigan Education Corps partner that currently hosts Reading Corps, 4–8 Math Corps, and K–3 Math Corps.
Reading Corps Impact in Choice Schools (Since 2019)
- 667 Michigan students
- 73.6% of students exceeded target growth
4-8 Math Corps Impact in Choice Schools (Since 2021)
- 589 Michigan students
- 78.3% of students improved their scores on Mathway
K-3 Math Corps Impact in Choice Schools (Since 2025)
- 50 Michigan students
- 90.5% of students improved their scores on Mathway
These results reflect the investment Choice Schools has made in creating consistent, encouraging learning environments where students can build both skills and confidence.
Across Choice Schools, MEC members and staff described a culture built on support, connection, and growth.
At Macomb Montessori Academy, MEC member Andria Powell Ross shared that the Reading and Math Corps team “work well together and show up for after-school events.” She described students who are excited to come to tutoring sessions and have shown “great improvement in assessment scores from Fall to Spring.” She also highlighted the team’s involvement in parent teacher conferences and Family Game Night, where Math Corps members helped run activities for students and families.
Serving at both Creative Montessori Academy and Four Corners Montessori Academy, MEC member Christine Pauley described two school communities where students looked forward to tutoring and staff welcomed MEC members into the building. She shared that students were excited to tell her when their scores improved, and that as students recognized their own growth, “their self confidence soars as this subject they found difficult becomes easier.” Christine also reflected on one fourth grade student who began the year discouraged and reluctant to attend math tutoring. After months of support, the student began asking to attend every day and proudly told another classmate that “Ms. Christine was fun.” Christine said that moment was “high praise indeed.”
Inclusion was the first thing MEC member Grayson VanConant noticed at New Branches Charter Academy, sharing, “I’ve never felt more included in a place where service has been done.” Grayson explained that because MEC members are able to provide groups consistently, students benefit from dependable support and routines. Grayson added that some of the most meaningful moments have come from watching reserved students gradually open up and build trust.
Internal Coach Kimberly Geis, who supports three different schools, emphasized the relationships formed between students and interventionists. She shared that interventionists help students grow not only in reading and math, but also in confidence and perseverance. “Students begin to change how they think about themselves as learners,” she explained. One especially memorable example came when a member helped her students learn how to be gentlemen and open doors for others, which Kimberly called “priceless.”
MEC member Megan Forward described her site as a school where students are encouraged to express themselves and where staff respond to challenges with patience and care. She shared that the school’s environment allows students to feel comfortable being themselves and that the Math Corps curriculum helps students become “self thinkers and regulators more than just mathematicians.” One of Megan’s favorite memories involved a student who struggled with making mistakes. After months of encouragement, the student finally responded to a mistake with excitement instead of frustration. “I finally get it,” the student said, a moment Megan described as unforgettable.
The relationships formed through tutoring have been the highlight of the year for MEC member Gina Gott. She shared that one student doubled her reading rate since January and is incredibly proud of herself. Gina also described students who greet her with hugs and look for her if she misses a day. She added that her Internal Coach has been “amazing” in helping her through her first year.
MEC member Dr. Fairy Green shared that fun dress up days help bring students and staff together throughout the year and make school more enjoyable. She has seen strong growth in literacy among the students she tutors and recalled one first grade student who began the year unable to read and not enjoying books. After several months of tutoring, the student now enjoys reading stories and looks forward to tutoring sessions.
Across Choice Schools, three ideas stand out: support, confidence, and connection. Together, Choice Schools and Michigan Education Corps are helping students grow academically while building the relationships and self-belief that will stay with them long after tutoring ends.
Michigan Education Corps is grateful for this partnership and for the district’s dedication to empowering Michigan kids to reach their highest level of academic achievement in reading and math.💡
