Foundation Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in Kindergarten (Early Entry) through 8th grade in Mansfield, Ohio. Ohio evaluates every public school on a state report card, and Foundation Academy earned a 4-Star rating for student Progress in 2024-25, meaning students here are growing faster than the state expects. The school’s overall Performance Index score jumped from 60.2 to 68.4 in a single year, a 10-plus-percent gain that places Foundation Academy among Ohio’s top movers.
Foundation Academy is built around whole-child, college-preparatory education. That means every subject, every grade level, and every school day is designed to prepare students for what comes next — not just for the next test. Academic skills are taught alongside the habits of mind and personal character students need to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. These aren’t extras layered on top of regular school. They’re the method. A student who leaves Foundation Academy in 8th grade knows how to learn, how to advocate for himself or herself, and how to work toward a goal.
Students here are cared for, challenged, and celebrated — and not just in the classroom. Leadership development, arts, athletics, STEM, and career-focused learning run through the school’s daily fabric, giving students ways to discover what they’re good at and build the confidence to use it.
It’s a publicly funded school. There’s no tuition, no fees, and no cost to families.
• Free breakfast and lunch for every enrolled student.
• Free transportation within the school’s service area.
• No application fees. No required donations.
Foundation Academy is located at 1050 Wyandotte Ave, Mansfield, OH 44906. You can reach the school by phone at (419) 526-9540. Visit the school online at foundationacad.org.
Ms. Kimani - Head of School
Ms. Kimani joined Foundation Academy in 2007 as the Curriculum Implementation Specialist. She later became the Assistant Head of School, and as of July 1, 2017 was appointed to the Head of School. She is responsible for leading our school academically, including the professional development and progress of our faculty.
Ms. Kimani came to Foundation Academy with over 30 years of experience as a special education teacher, general education middle school teacher, assistant principal, and even a project manager in a software development company. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education (K-12) and Elementary Education (1-8) from Dayton University. She brings with her a variety of talents such as playing the violin, traveling the world, and becoming a Hebrew scholar.
Kyle Glispie, RVP
Kyle Glispie is the Regional Vice President of the Academy of Arts & Technology and a proud 2007 graduate of the University of Toledo. Having experienced education from nearly every angle, Kyle spent ten years as an elementary school teacher, five years as a school principal, and the past four years as a regional director of academics. In this most recent role, he supported multiple ACCEL schools with data-driven instruction, teacher coaching, and effective teaching methodologies.
Kyle’s passion for education was ignited in the fourth grade by a teacher who made a profound impact on his life. This experience inspired his lifelong commitment to mentoring and coaching children. His vision for the school is to build a safe, supportive learning environment where families, the community, and the school collaborate to create a positive experience for youth. He is dedicated to ensuring that the arts are fully integrated into the core curriculum, giving students rich opportunities to express themselves creatively using both artistic and technological mediums.
Outside of his career in education, Kyle enjoys singing and playing music with his band, reading, listening to vinyl records, exercising, and spending quality time with his family. He is incredibly excited about the future of the Academy of Arts & Technology and looks forward to building strong community relationships, meeting student families, and creating a truly memorable artistic experience for all students.
Staff Directory
-
-
Brooke Taylor
Dean of Students | Behavior Intervention Specialist , Grade 4-8 (BIS) btaylor@foundationacad.org -
Rachel Artrip
Director of Academics | Behavior Intervention Specialist , Grade K-2 (DOA), K-3 (BIS) rartrip@foundationacad.org -
-
-
Founded in 2014, ACCEL Schools is a K-12 public charter school management organization (CMO) serving students across the United States in brick-and-mortar, virtual, and hybrid school settings. We focus on improving academic outcomes of students regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic factors. The leadership team at ACCEL Schools has a combined 1000+ years of experience as global school management operators with expertise in curriculum research and design, assessment, student support services, and education consulting. Our entire team fundamentally believes that all children deserve a great education and students should be supported as they pursue a wide variety of post-secondary options. Our robust technology increases engagement, access to resources, efficiencies, and academic results helping our students become productive global citizens.
