Kalamazoo Advantage Academy Appoints New School Director; 30-Year Veteran of Grand Rapids Public Schools Accepts Top Job

Business Wire, May 14, 1999

KALAMAZOO, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 1999--

The Board of Directors of the Kalamazoo Advantage Academy and Advantage Schools, Inc. announced today that Franklin A. Sebastian, Ed.D., has accepted the post of School Director. Dr. Sebastian, who formally assumed the post last week, will lead the tuition-free public charter school into its second year.

A thirty-year veteran of the Grand Rapid Public Schools, Dr. Sebastian served as Principal at Creston High School from 1993 to 1998, after eight years as Assistant Principal. He also held positions as Principal at Grand Rapids Elementary Schools in three locations and the Middle School Title I Summer Program.

"I'm very, very excited about the opportunity to work with the children and the families of the Kalamazoo community who are enrolled in the Kalamazoo Advantage Academy and we look forward to finishing this year on a very high note," said Dr. Sebastian. "The outstanding progress students have already achieved here is a result of the Advantage School design, including Direct Instruction, implemented by a highly trained and professional staff. I'm certainly looking forward to an even better second year and ever-increasing levels of achievement and progress."

"Frank Sebastian brings to the Kalamazoo Advantage Academy a rich background in education, ample experience working with a wide range of students, and outstanding and proven administrative strengths," noted Edward Huth, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Clearly, Dr. Sebastian is an individual of excellent character; his credentials are extremely impressive. He embraces wholeheartedly and sincerely the ability of young people to achieve and the mission of Kalamazoo Advantage Academy. We look forward to the school's success and the success of every student under Dr. Sebastian's leadership."

Recently, Dr. Sebastian has served as District Coordinator for Education Technology in Grand Rapids. He held posts on the Legislative Committee Board and Executive Board of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association, where he continues to serve on the Business/Education Advisory Committee. Dr. Sebastian has been heralded for his leadership in raising standards and boosting student performance.

The Kalamazoo Advantage Academy opened last fall serving students in grades K-5. Under the management of Advantage Schools, the Academy has offered a rigorous and proven academic curriculum, state-of-the-art technology in every classroom, character education, a longer school year, and a corps of professional and multi-talented educators. The school will expand by one grade per year, adding grade six this fall; when fully developed, it will provide a comprehensive K-12 program.

"We are delighted to have Frank join our team as School Director," said Steven F. Wilson, President of Advantage Schools. "He is an incredibly bright and energetic leader with an abiding commitment to excellence. Dr. Sebastian has the experience and the drive to realize our shared dreams for the new school. We look forward to working with him and the school's Board of Directors to make the Kalamazoo Advantage Academy a beacon to the community."

Advantage Schools, Inc. is a national leader in the emerging education management industry. Working with local school founders, the company opens and operates new high-performance charter public schools in urban areas nationwide. Advantage opened its first schools in 1997 in Phoenix, Arizona, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, both of which have already demonstrated remarkable academic gains.

In addition to the Kalamazoo Advantage Academy, Advantage opened schools last fall in Chicago, Illinois; Worcester and Malden, Massachusetts; San Antonio, Texas; and Jersey City, New Jersey. In fall 1999, new schools are planned for Benton Harbor, Michigan; Charlotte, North Carolina; Newark, New Jersey; Chandler, Arizona; Dallas, Houston, and Midland, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, among other cities nationwide.