1.         Statement of Web Accessibility Policy

The delivery of accessible Web-based and digital information is an integral part of the educational mission and service provided by Merritt Academy to its student and prospective student population, and all parents, staff, and third party guests and visitors.  This policy affirms the Academy’s standards for accessibility of information through its Website and its commitment to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and their implementing regulations.

Merritt Academy has adopted the web accessibility standards and guidelines contained in the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) (current version 2.0) to evaluate and determine user accessibility of its Website content, including by users with visual, hearing, or manual impairments or who otherwise may require adaptive assistance technology to access information.

The Merritt Academy Website will include a statement in plain text informing users with disabilities to contact the Academy’s Web Accessibility Coordinator to report any difficulty or issues in accessing content or information within the Website, including email and phone contact information.

            2.         Web Accessibility Coordinator

The Merritt Academy Web Accessibility Coordinator is responsible for the monitoring and oversight of the Academy’s compliance with this policy. 

The Merritt Academy Web Accessibility Coordinator is:

• Phil Maurey, Director of Technology
• c/o Merritt Academy
• 59900 Havenridge Road
• New Haven, MI 48048
• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Phone:  (586) 731-5300

This policy will be updated whenever the Academy appoints a successor Web Accessibility Coordinator.

            3.         Procedures

These procedures implement the Merritt Academy Web Accessibility Policy.

a.   The Academy’s priority is to provide users of its Website with accessible content and information in an accessible format.  Content and information may include text, images, videos, or other digital materials.

b.   Merritt Academy IT staff are the primary developers, creators, and/or reviewers of content and information posted on its Website. 

c.   Prior to the posting of any content or information on the Merritt Academy Website, IT staff will evaluate such content for any accessibility issues to ensure that the posting is in compliance with this policy.  Staff is expected to raise any questions related to content accessibility with the Web Accessibility Coordinator prior to posting. Staff will utilize relevant accessibility tools such as automated and/or using testing, assessment using the WCAG 2.0 checklist guidelines and the Title II Checklist for Website Accessibility for State and Local Governments, and, depending on the circumstances, expert counseling. 

d.   Merritt Academy will inform any third party contracted to provide Web content, or any other resource authorized to provide the same, of the terms and conditions of this policy prior to the engagement or request for services.  All third parties providing services to the Academy either through engagement or request are to affirm that they have reviewed this policy and understand its application to the development of any Web content provided to the Academy. 

e.   All third-party provided content that is made available on the Academy’s Website regardless of whether contracted for, requested, or otherwise utilized by the Academy through any open source or shared media, must afford equal opportunity to the educational benefits and/or information to all users afforded by the technology utilized for such content.

f.    Terms.  The following terms are defined under this policy:

i.    Accessibility.  For purpose of this policy the term accessibility means that a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services from the Academy’s Website as a person without a disability with substantially equivalent ease of use. The person with a disability must be able to obtain the information as equally and independently as a person without a disability.

ii.   Accessible format.  Accessible format means that the structure and composition of digital information, documents, and applications are readable and usable by people with disabilities, using assistive technologies, and/or special configurations for user agents.  Webpages, including those in archive status (e.g. no longer actively posted but subject to records retention requirements) that are specifically requested to be made accessible as an accommodation for an individual with a disability shall be made accessible or an equally effective alternative must be provided as soon as possible, but in any event no longer than within 15 business days of the request being received by the Academy. 

            4.         Training and Accessibility Audits.

a.   Training.  The Web Accessibility Coordinator will facilitate annual training on the application of this policy, legal compliance, and related Website accessibility subjects.  All Academy staff responsible for development, maintenance, and management of the Academy’s Website and content posted therein are required to attend this training.   

b.   Accessibility Audit.  The Academy, under the oversight of its Web Accessibility Coordinator, will perform an accessibility audit of its Website every three years.  Any issues related to accessibility, including providing content in an accessible format, disclosed through the audit will be documented and evaluated.  If an accessibility issue must be remedied, the Academy will work to remedy it as soon as practicable based on its available resources.  If an accessibility issue is not capable of being addressed within 15 business days, the reason for extending the timeline and an anticipated timeline for completion is to be documented.

            5.         Reporting Violations

Any user of the Academy’s Website may contact the Academy’s Web Accessibility Coordinator to report any difficulties accessing information or other concerns, or to report of a potential violation of the accessibility standards used by the Academy.

• Four Year Old Preschool Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
  The purpose of this program is to provide an environment which promotes the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of the children.  The curriculum consists of hands-on activities involving large group, small group, and individualized learning situations.  This class has a limited number of students and meets Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  
  The Great Start Readiness Program is funded by the State of Michigan and is free to families that qualify.  The children eligible for this program must be four years on or before December 1st of the year they enter the program.  Qualifications do change from year to year.  These qualifications are established by the State of Michigan.  Please call 586-749-6000 Ext 5 for more information and changes.
  
  Before and after school care is offered at an additional cost.
  
  
• Three Year Old Preschool
  The three year old preschool class currently meets Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Some of the program goals include:
  
  *  Children will learn how to get along with their peers through problem solving.
  *  Children will develop large and small motor skills.
  *  Children will be allowed to share ideas and feelings.
  *  Children will be allowed to make choices and feel they have a decision in what they do.
  *  Children will learn to accept their peers feelings and opinions.
  *  Children will develop the necessary cognitive skills needed for school age learning.
  *  Children will develop an understanding of the diverse community around them.
  *  Families will be openly accepted into the classroom and parent participation will be welcomed.
  
  For more information on the program for three year olds, please contact us at 586-749-6000 Ext 5.
  
  
• Free Full-Day Kindergarten Program
  Must be 5 on or before September 1st. If your child’s birthday falls between September 2 and December 1st of the year they enter the program, you may apply for a waiver.  *Class size limited to 24 children.

Please see the attachments below for details about our programs:

• Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) Enrollment Form
• Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) Handbook
• Tuition Handbook 2018-2019 
• Three Year Old Preschool Enrollment Form

For more information, please contact us at:

Merritt Academy
59900 Havenridge Rd
New Haven, MI 48048
(586) 749-6000

College Focused Academics

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Arts and Student Passions

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School Community

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Character Counts

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"My daughter attends this school and it is excellent. The education is top notch and the staff are wonderful. My other children will be attending when they are old enough. I highly recommend this school to anyone seeking a caring environment with an excellent academic structure." - Merritt Academy Parent

"Merritt Academy is a terrific learning institution. The staff provides a good balance of caring and discipline while giving the students a superior education. We are very pleased with the education our children are receiving. We are certain that the education they are receiving is providing them with a strong base for higher education and a positive future!" - Merritt Academy Parent

"I went to Merritt Academy my whole school career and I wouldn't change that for the world. It's a nice small school environment that grows every year. There is lots of personal one on one with the teachers and the office staff has always been so kind. It's a perfect school for people like me who don't like being in environments with too many people where you only know a few people. Everyone knows everyone there, which yes could be quite annoying at some points, but its also perfect because it's like you always have a friend somewhere on campus. I would recommend Merritt Academy to anybody looking for a good school." - Merritt Academy Alumni

"Due to the small size of Merritt Academy, teachers are invested personally in their students. Those who take the initiative to ask questions and to get themselves help are rewarded by the teachers' commitment to their pupils. The majority of teachers make a point of integrating life skills and real world examples of the lessons into curriculum. The bonds that some students form with these teachers cannot be expressed in a review, they often become life-long mentors to the students of Merritt Academy." - High School Senior

"I love everything about this school." - Merritt Academy Parent

"I love this school, they have one of the most caring, helpful staff I've know, especially the office. Miss Rosie is like the school Mom, Nurse, caregiver. She cares about all the student's goes out of her way for each and everyone one, she truly puts her heart into her work. We been through a lot the last couple of years and this school and ALL the staff has done so much to help and support. My son will not go to any other school I drive 101 miles a day there and back 4 times a day and if it wasn't for this staff and the REAL CARE, SUPPORT, TRULY WANTING TO HELP THE KID'S SUCCEED, I wouldn't do it. It is truly a great school for anyone wanting the best for there kid's.  You won't find a better school with a great office staff principal vice principal office caregivers teachers and athletic department. They have a teacher that stays after school every day a different teacher and they call it ninth hour and they're there to help the kids to get caught up with extra help and then and that just shows how much they care about wanting the kids to succeed." - Melissa

"I really appreciate all the school has to offer. It's small but it grows and advances every year. Teachers are extremely dedicated and the student body is a family."  -Merritt Academy Student

"This school is unique because it feels like a family." - Merritt Academy Senior

"My child has many different opportunities at Merritt for extracurricular activities. Students can create a club, even if it has little to no funding." - Merritt Academy Parent

"Teachers at Merritt Academy are extremely dedicated to teaching student and making sure the material is understood. Any teacher will make time for any student whether it be academic or social help. Teachers are respectful to students and handle difficult student well. Teachers are willing to individually help students and everyone gets a chance to speak." - Merritt Academy Senior

"I noticed a huge change for my child, versus the community school he was attending." - Merritt Academy Parent