Columbia Academy at Maple Lawn - Town Hall Request

To: Lyndsey Dove, Director, Columbia Academy at Maple Lawn 

Buddy Rhodes, Regional Director & The Endeavor Support Team

Stephanie Creager, Senior Regional Director & The Endeavor Support Team

From: Concerned Parents of Columbia Academy at Maple Lawn

Re: Request for Town Hall Meeting

Date: March 15, 2024

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to express some concerns that have been circulating among the Columbia Academy community regarding recent changes and the lack of timely communication. As stakeholders deeply invested in the success and well-being of our children, we believe it is essential to address these matters openly and transparently instead of through individual meetings as suggested.

In the past few months, Columbia Academy has undergone significant changes that have impacted both teachers and students. While change is inevitable, the lack of communication surrounding these changes has left many of us feeling unsettled and uncertain about what to expect. 

Many families chose Columbia Academy because of the sense of community and care that can be felt throughout the halls. We chose Columbia Academy because we don’t view our relationship with our child’s school as transactional, but rather an important and intentional investment in their growth and development. We want to be reassured that we made a good choice for our children. 

We have started noticing changes and there are many questions circulating. This includes how classrooms look, curriculum and extracurricular changes, support for teachers, staff attrition, and changes in tuition or fees.

Of particular concern is the high turnover rate among teachers. For example, Room 7 has experienced three teacher changes since September alone. This inconsistency has a deep impact on the students, disrupting their learning environment and sense of stability. We believe that addressing this issue openly and collaboratively is essential to maintaining the high standards of education and care that Columbia Academy is known for.

As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child," and Columbia Academy is part of our collective village. Therefore, its stability and success are important to all of us. We hope that you will consider our request for a town hall meeting to address these concerns openly and collaboratively so that we may continue to build a stronger, transparent community together. 

Additionally, this meeting should be recorded or transcribed and made available to parents unable to attend the meeting.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response and to working together to ensure the continued success of Columbia Academy.

With care and concern,