National Heritage is one of several companies to approach NMU about charter schools. This agreement will allow us to expand our presence in the state and put our name and mission before a broader audience. It also creates additional opportunities for student teaching and business internships. The business aspect of operating a charter school is most challenging, said Joyal, which is why corporations tend to be successful. They often have a greater ability to raise the required start up capital.
Charter schools are public institutions run by independent entities.
They receive funding from the state, which prevents them from charging tuition. They typically hire their own staffs, develop their own curricula and set their own educational objectives and operation methods. National Heritage operates 13 academies in western Michigan, with an additional nine scheduled to open this fall. Representatives from NMU's School of Education traveled below the bridge to research the company and its holdings. Joyal said they were impressed with the overall direction of the academies and the fact that they cater to a broad spectrum of students rather than a targeted group.