Grace Schools Charter Authority, LLC authorized its first charter school, the Smith Academy for Excellence, which opened its doors in Fort Wayne in the fall of 2012.
The Grace Schools Charter Authority, LLC Board of Trustees approved a seven-year charter for the school on March 23, 2012, and the school founders formally signed the charter on March 26, 2012.
The Smith Academy for Excellence is the brainchild of former Wayne High School Principal Thomas Smith and his two sons, Corey and Cameron. The Smiths approached Grace Schools Charter Authority, LLC to authorize the charter due to shared philosophies of education, as well as personal ties to Grace College—Corey received his B.S. in Elementary Education from Grace in 2004.
The academy, a boys-only preparatory-style school, has the potential to serve approximately 198 students in grades 4-12. The Smiths saw an opportunity to serve Fort Wayne by offering an alternative education option that will focus on preparing students for college, forming students’ character and emphasizing service learning.
