CMCS History & Archives
2007 October: Evelyn is in the red. Jeriann Batten, a much loved teacher, is behind her. Dale Batten, her husband, did all the work to bring Messiah Church up to code. We closed for two years and reopened with a very small class, but it then grew.
A Letter to the Future CMCS Community
from Therese Racklyeft
In 2001, alongside Chris Blunden, Evelyn Hoey, Phyllis Lee, and Bonnie Schow, we envisioned the Charlotte Mason Association of Detroit (CMAD) to bring Charlotte Mason’s rich educational philosophy to inner-city Detroit. We formed a group to study her writings and to work towards starting a school. By 2002, we established Ambleside Community School (ACS), responding to local families' need for quality education.
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Evelyn and I discovered Charlotte Mason’s teachings while homeschooling. Evelyn had the opportunity to attend a worldwide conference in Ambleside, England, where Charlotte Mason’s work began. Evelyn, Phyliss, and I and completed an internship at an established Charlotte Mason School in Texas, which has since grown into Ambleside Schools International. Mason’s belief that all children deserve a rich curriculum, and should actively seek knowledge, resonated deeply with us. By God’s grace, we started a K-6 school, expanding to K-8 within a year.
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Ambleside thrived with its low student-to-teacher ratio, individualized teaching, and nurturing of children’s exploratory instincts. The success of our approach was evident in the positive changes seen by parents in their children’s learning and behavior. Often, parents chose Ambleside for the small class sizes and personal relationships, but later recognized the value of Mason’s methods.
Evelyn Hoey served as the principal of the school through 2017, then was succeeded by Ann Pattie. Chrisara Moore has served since 2022.
We developed relationships with local homeschool groups in Detroit and Windsor, and our teachers attended conferences offered by the Charlotte Mason Institute.
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By 2010, we evolved into Charlotte Mason Community School (CMCS), continuing to grow with a strong curriculum, dedicated staff, and supportive parent community. In 2013, we hosted an education conference for local parents interested in knowing more about Mason’s philosophy.
Throughout, committed parents have served selflessly as Board members, to help see the work of the school continue. Prayer and reliance on God’s provision have kept the school open.
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In 2019, we relocated to 17400 2nd Ave, allowing us to serve more children and become a significant voice in Detroit’s educational reform. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this transformative educational philosophy.
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Warm regards,
Therese Racklyeft
Co-founder, Charlotte Mason Community School