Charter Application for Vanguard Charter Academy to GVSU lists "Evolution and creation" as part of NHA's proposed science curriculum.
NHA's Excel Charter Academy, Science Curriculum Criteria, Fourth Grade, 1997 includes "the story of creation."
US NEWS article: "J.C. Huizenga. This wealthy manufacturer and evangelical Christian founded his own for-profit charter school company--National Heritage Academies..."
Religious right group, Michigan Family Forum, says National Heritage Academies offers a choice for parents who can't afford a private Christian school.
Complaint and Jury Demand
Affidavit of Jeffrey A. Seaver in Support of Injunctive Relief
Affidavit of Megan Daugherty in Support of Injunctive Relief
Plaintiffs' Brief in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Affidavit of Barbara Rehner in Support of Injunctive Relief
Affidavit of Michelle Nelson
First Supplemental Affidavit of Jeffrey Seaver
Americans United for Separation of Church & State:
"Two parents in Wyoming, Mich., are suing the charter school their children attend for inappropriate religious activities. The parents say officials at Vanguard Charter Academy allowed an adult prayer group to use the school during the day, exposed children to religious material and urged teachers to incorporate religious concepts into their teaching."
First Supplemental Affidavit of Megan Daugherty
First Supplemental Affidavit of Barb Rehner
First Affidavit of Lanette Grate
Plaintiffs' Reply Brief in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint and Jury Demand
Advance Newspaper: "Change in religious policy doesn't sway parents suing charter school."
ACLU Press Release: ACLU takes on charter school for church/state violations
Freedom Forum Online Article:
Parents Challenge Religious Activities in Michigan Charter School
The Paper: Parent enlists ACLU's help to keep Wyoming charter school religion-free
National Heritage Academies and a school that it operates in Wyoming, Michigan, the Vanguard Charter Academy, have been sued by five parents alleging that their children have been exposed illegally to religion in the classroom.
Wall Street Journal Article:
"Old-Time Religion Gets a Boost at a Chain of Charter Schools."
Entrepreneurs Hoping To Do Good,
Make Money
"I said, wouldn't it be neat if we could come up with the best of all worlds," said Mr. Huizenga, who recalls with fondness the tight-knit community and disciplined environment of his own education in private Christian schools. "And out of that came the thought of, 'Gee, we'll apply for a charter and see what happens.' "
Democrat and Chronicle "Taxpayers Question Charter School Ideas"
Business Week Article: For-Profit Schools
"...other parents see a religious school that has no right to taxpayer dollars. For Jeff Seaver, a parent with two kids at Vanguard, the last straw came when he attended a school ''moral focus retreat'' at which a Baptist minister delivered what he describes as a revivalist sermon. Seaver is now suing NHA for violating the Constitution on church-state grounds."
Letter from People for the American Way to John Walker
Letter from People for the American Way to State University of New York
NY Times Article: "Charter School to Raise Topic Of Creationism"
DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE "Group Urges Watch on School"
Information on teaching of creationism at NHA schools.
Letter from American Jewish Committee re: creationism in NHA school
Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law Opposing Defendants' Joint Motion for Summary Judgment
2nd Affidavit of Lanette Grate
Affidavit of Jeffrey Seaver in Opposition to Summary Judgment
Affidavit of Sara Rappe, PHD
Associate Professor of Greek and Latin, Department of Classical Studies, Univ. of Mich.
Affidavit of H. Coleman McGehee, Jr.
Retired VIII Bishop of Michigan and former Assistant Attorney General of Virginia.
Charter school is sued over religion
Parents say material unfit for science class
Judge hears complaints against charter
Area charter school being sued over creationism issue
Parents ask court to stop charter school from teaching creationism
ACLU Declares Victory in Lawsuit over Promotion of Religion in Charter School
Charter wrongfully dropped special-ed student, suit claims