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Enrolling K-2 for 2026-2027
“Forest City Academy is the best place for our son. His growth in every way is a miracle and a gift! We are beyond grateful to be part of it.”
- Forest City Academy parent
Is your child the kind of kid whose curiosity and energy are their greatest strengths but who doesn’t fit neatly into a classroom built around compliance and behavior charts? Is your child bored at school? Not because they don’t love learning, but because they haven’t been given content challenging enough to explore or compelling enough to chase? In the morning, are you dragging them out the door?
If you answered yes to any of these, take a deep breath and exhale. There is nothing wrong with your child. Schools were designed around the idea of an “average” child. The problem: your child isn’t average. No child is. Every child is uniquely gifted and wired. Those differences aren’t problems to manage; they’re gifts to discover, develop, and apply. Forest City Academy (FCA) is a school built on that belief.
Different By Design
Forest City Academy opened in August, 2025 because we realized a school built around helping each child maximize their potential would need to be built from scratch. We designed every aspect of FCA around the questions we ask as educators and, more importantly, as parents:
- Is this best for kids?
- Will this help a child grow in confidence, independence, resilience, and creativity?
- Is this the environment where we want our own child to spend their day?
Our staff and leadership have enrolled their own children here because we believe every child deserves the same intentional community we want for our own kids.
At FCA, we approach things differently:
- Intentionality on Belonging. From the “ESPN” greeting at the door – Eye contact, Smile, Physical touch, and Name – to finishing the day with gratitude and appreciation, the day is designed for your child to find their voice in a safe, nurturing environment.
- Your Child Advances When They Are Ready. Here, students advance when they are ready. Our kindergartners might read Frog and Toad while first graders tackle division. On the flip side, if a child needs more time to master a skill, they get it, without shame or being left behind. Because we don’t cap learning based on a calendar, our students consistently engage with more complex material the moment they are ready for it.
- Holistic Learning. Board games teach sportsmanship and strategy. Community outings teach kids professionalism and how to converse with adults confidently. Daily time outside and a focus on learner voice aren’t “extras.” They are essential to the learning experience.
“I wish all the kids who came here were as polite as your students.”
– Waitress at Tommy’s on Coventry
- No Chromebooks. Your child doesn’t need to stare at a screen to learn, think, or create. Instead, we prioritize the hands-on learning and human connection that foster true development.
- Culture Built on Character. We don’t do behavior charts, points for walking silently, or trinkets for compliance. Rather, we teach students to do the right thing because it is right and provide the support to master the skills necessary to thrive in a community.
Is FCA Right For You?
Our model is different. We want families who recognize this and are searching for something more for their child’s education. If your family prioritizes traditional systems like behavior charts or uniform pacing, our model may not align with your goals. If you like the idea of a silent classroom where every child does the same thing at the same pace, you’ll be disappointed. We expect parents to read with their kids, prioritize screen-free connection at home, and get your child to school on time each day.
While we aren’t for everyone philosophically, we are for everyone economically. If you are willing to partner with us in this, Forest City Academy is committed to being the most accessible private school in Northeast Ohio and working with you to ensure cost is never a barrier.
A Space Designed for Belonging
This summer, FCA moves to our long-term home in the Stonebrook Building (975 East Blvd), minutes from University Circle and I-90. We are intentionally small, capping enrollment at 40 students this fall across K–2 (adding a grade level each year) to ensure every child is truly known.
When kids are truly known, they don’t just attend school; they are a part of a community that they absolutely love.
Your child gets one childhood. Limited K–2 seats remain for 2026–2027. Don’t wait.
At a Glance
- 📍 975 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH (starting this summer)
- 🎓 Grades served: K–2, adding a grade level each year.
- 👥 Capping at 40 students for 2026–2027
- 💰 Family out-of-pocket cost: $125–$5,500 for the year. Tuition is sliding scale based on income. A family of 4 with household income under $70,000 receives a full-tuition scholarship.
- 🌐 www.ForestCityAcademy.org
- 📞 216.387.9649
- 🕐School day: 8:20 AM – 3:20 PM
- To learn more: schedule a conversation today or sign up for our latest updates.
Limited K-2 seats for 2026-2027