Cape teacher to start private school in August

Russell Grammer will finish 10 years of teaching at Jefferson Elementary School next week to embark on a new educational endeavor: establishing a private school based on family involvement and individual student abilities.

"I'm full of peace and joy because I see the response and I know where this is going," said Grammer, who teaches fourth grade.

Grammer said he is working to open Prodigy Leadership Academy by Aug. 24 and has 20 students committed to the program in grades kindergarten through 12. He said the students will not be identified by grade levels.

Students will use laptops and learn through the Missouri virtual schools instructional program, an online teaching program administered in part by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Grammer said he will reinforce the online lessons with individualized attention. Planning, serving and preparing lunches will also be incorporated into the curriculum and will involve cultural lessons, he said.

Grammer said he thought about creating the school for eight years. He said teachers' creativity is stifled by testing and federal mandates.

"We are being so pressed with trying to prove with data and with statistics," he said. "Everybody wants to reduce a child's life to a set of numbers."

Parents will be interviewed and will be required to play roles in their children's education, he said. The school will be nondenominational, but faith components will be approved by parents, he said.

He said he does not have building to use but thinks the school will be based on the south end of Cape Girardeau. He also wants to raise enough money so there is no tuition charge. He estimates the startup costs at $400,000, depending on grants and the building.

"This is a faith move, and I believe God is going to provide," he said. "I know people like to have answers that are more practical."

Karen Weinzetl-Hamke is planning to send her daughter and son, who are 10 and 12 respectively, to the school in the fall.

"There are things that I'm unsure about, but I truly feel that God can lead the way," she said.

She said the individualized teaching will benefit both of her children because one works quickly while the other needs more help. The students will be able to work at their own pace, she said.

"It's not the government saying 'Hey, you're done with this learning lesson, you're moving on to the next one,'" she said.

Lawyer Ted Yates is developing the business model for the school. Yates, who is involved with Boys and Girls Club, said the school will reach out to and help disadvantaged children.

"Actually I'm a public school person," he said. "I do know there's cracks. These kids with less opportunities do not get what they need."

Yates said he applied with the state for not-for-profit status for the school. Taking care of legalities and finding infrastructure will be easy, he said. The fundraising component will pose challenges, but he said there is plenty of time for Grammer to pull the project together.

"I hate for the public schools to lose him, but this is a calling he feels like he needs to do," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

523 S. Minnesota Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO