Eagle Creek Academy Offers Excellent Instruction And Guidance

This Patch article is sponsored by Eagle Creek Education Fund.

Eagle Creek Academy is a private school located in Oakland Township, Mich. that educates children grades preschool through fifth. The academy offers small classes with experienced teachers who tailor their lessons to meet each child’s strengths and needs. Their curriculum focuses on small groups, strong teachers, hands-on activities, the newest technology and a lot of love.

“We believe in children and where they are going,” says Cathy Hammond, President and Board of Trustees at Eagle Creek Education Fund. “The result is excellent instruction and guidance you can believe in.”

Patch had a chance to talk with Cathy Hammond, President and Board of Trustees at Eagle Creek Education Fund.

Patch: Tell us a bit about the school or organization you represent?

Hammond: Eagle Creek is an independent school in Oakland Township. We serve students in preschool through fifth grade.

Patch: How long have you been an educator?

Hammond: 36 years

Patch: What is your teaching style or philosophy?

Hammond: Eagle Creek began in 1995 as a small early childhood center. Since then, we have grown into a large school with children in preschool through fifth grade. We also offer summer camps, private tutoring and a parent/toddler program.

Over the years, we have thrived by hiring extremely experienced teachers and working with children in very small groups. At the toddler and preschool level, our goal is to find the perfect balance between work and play. We want the children to wake up eager to come to school, and we want them to learn the reading, writing and math skills that will help them soar in kindergarten. Most importantly, our teachers adore little kids and enjoy spending time with them. Love, I think, is the best teacher.

For kindergarten through fifth grade, we are masters at combining fun and strong academics. Children like Eagle Creek because they get to be active, out of their seats, doing experiments and projects. They also appreciate how well we key into their passions. At these ages, recognizing children's strengths and building their self-confidence is the route to rigorous learning.

Because we are serious about preparing children for an increasingly global world, we are always using the newest technology. This includes coding lessons, 3-D printers, green screens and many other exciting opportunities.

Another priority is to keep our school as diverse as possible. This includes enrolling children of all nationalities, religions, cultures, income levels, ability levels and so on. I love visiting a classroom when a parent is here sharing his or her language and customs with the children.

Although we do not "teach to the test," in all grade levels, our students consistently average well above the national average on the NWEA standardized test. This is one indicator that our methods work. Small groups, strong teachers, hands-on activities, the newest technology and a lot of love go a long way. We believe in children and where they are going. The result is excellent instruction and guidance you can believe in.

Patch: What does a typical day in one of your classrooms look like?

Hammond: Preschool children have 20 to 30 minutes of Spanish every day. K-5 children have music, gym, art and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) twice per week each.

Patch: What kind of extracurricular activities does your school provide?

Hammond: We offer before-and-after-care from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. After-school activities cover a wide range, including drama, art, music, sports, science and more.

Patch: Do you have any upcoming open houses or events for prospective students?

Hammond: Preschool and Young Fives Info Night is Tues., April 12 at 6 p.m. Kindergarten Info Night was last month.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your school or organization?

Hammond: Visit www.EagleCreekAcademy.com or call 248-475-9999 to arrange a private tour.