New K-5 Naval Academy Charter School Coming to Muskegon
Muskegon – Entrepreneur Franklin A. Fudail announced the launch of a new K-5 Naval Academy charter school. The Muskegon Maritime Academy(MMA), plans to open in the Fall of 2022 at the former Angell Elementary School Building located at 571 E. Apple Avenue.
“There are reports that 61% of third-graders in Muskegon County are not reading at grade level, Founder Franklin A. Fudail said. “There are entire elementary grade levels, whose test scores are single digits in math proficiency. This is unacceptable. As a man, as a leader, and as a socially conscious business owner, I could not stand by and do nothing.”
Fudail conceptualized and developed the Muskegon Maritime Academy(MMA) based on his years of experience running a free reading and math program inside his youth boxing club, a program that Fudail financed without government funding or grants.
Navy SEAL Plays Major Role in School Development
To build his team, Fudail recruited retired Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke to assist with leadership development programs and strategic planning. Fudail first brought Adeleke to Muskegon in 2013.
Adeleke is a founding member and serves on the school’s National Advisory Team along with Col. Larry R. Donnithorne (Ret.)-The United States Military Academy -West Point, David A. Allison (Ret.), The United States Secret Service and Dr. Kat Longshore, United States Military Academy -West Point Professor in the Enhanced Performance Department.
Remi Adeleke, Navy SEAL(ret) is a writer and actor, who appeared in the movie Transformers: The Last Knight. He is also the author of Transformed: A Navy SEAL’s Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the streets of the Bronx to Defying all Odds.
“I assembled together some of the best minds in the country to help with this academy”, said Fudail. “We are introducing to the community, the Harvard of elementary schools”. Fudail said MMA will provide an elite education for families free of charge.
A First of its Kind in Muskegon
The school has a partnership with the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps and received assistance from the Poverty Solutions Center at The University of Michigan in developing the reading program.
The Muskegon Maritime Academy is the first all STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) school in Muskegon County, the first Naval-focused school, and the first Maritime school. Students will be taught etiquette and manners, self-defense, and leadership training. There will be separate classes for boys and girls and all students will have access to free tutoring.
The board of directors for the Academy are Dr. Frank Marczak, Eric Hood, Pastor Yvonne Crawford, and Pastor Tyrone Rule Sr. The board is reserving a spot for a Parent.
For more information on Muskegon Maritime Academy, or to enroll a student for the upcoming fall semester, visit www.MuskegonMaritimeAcademy.org. The Muskegon Maritime Academy is authorized by Saginaw Valley State University.
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Top Photo By Riveredge Photography.