The Northern Michigan Innovation Academy represents a forward-thinking shift in how East Jordan Public Schools serves its students. Offered in partnership with U-Tech Prep Academy, the program provides a personalized, flexible learning environment for students in grades 7–12. By combining high-quality online curriculum with the support of a local district, NMIA offers a unique path for families seeking alternatives to traditional seat-time education.
Addressing a Growing Need
The impetus for NMIA was rooted in the district’s desire to support students struggling with anxiety, depression, or other challenges that made being in a physical building difficult. Before the program’s launch, the district was losing students to external online programs.
By creating NMIA, the district aimed to retain local funding and maintain a connection with these families. Unlike traditional “alternative education” for at-risk students, NMIA is designed for any student who thrives in a flexible setting without sacrificing academic rigor.
The Visionaries: Experienced Leadership
The academy is led by two seasoned educators who brought the program to life based on years of diverse administrative experience:
• Janae Russell, Assistant Principal: A former high school math teacher of 15 years, Russell transitioned into leadership at East Jordan in 2016. Between 2020 and 2022, she served as the Assistant Principal at the Jenison Innovation Academy. This experience provided the blueprint for NMIA, as she saw firsthand how a rigorous, teacher-led online program could effectively serve students who need a different environment.
• Matt Hudson, Principal: With 19 years in school administration, Hudson joined EJPS in early 2023. His career began as a history teacher before moving into leadership roles at charter schools, including South Arbor Charter Academy and Arbor Prep High School, as well as Reed City High School. Hudson emphasizes the importance of instructional excellence and professional growth to better serve students.
A Rigorous Academic Model
NMIA utilizes the Blackboard Learning Management System and partners with U-Tech Prep (a branch of Jenison Public Schools) to provide content created by professional instructional designers. Key features of the academic experience include:
• Teacher-Led Content: Courses are not “canned” or watered down; they are led by dedicated teachers who are often full-time staff at a physical building in Jenison.
• Synchronous Learning: Students are expected to attend weekly live sessions via Zoom to interact with faculty and peers.
• Academic Integrity: To combat the rise of AI, teachers use creative assessment methods, such as one-on-one virtual meetings where students must solve problems in real-time.
Enrollment and Community Integration
The academy offers three distinct tracks to accommodate different lifestyles:
1. Full-Time Online: Coursework is completed entirely off-campus.
2. Full-Time Blended: A mix of online classes and in-person instruction at East Jordan Middle High School.
3. Part-Time (Homeschool Partnership): Homeschoolers can take nonessential electives online or in person at EJMHS.
While NMIA students are part of the EJPS community and can participate in extracurriculars like robotics and art club, they are currently ineligible for MHSAA Athletics. This restriction was implemented to prevent the district from being forced into larger athletic divisions before the program’s long-term scale is determined.
Looking Ahead
For its inaugural year, the district set a hard cap of 15 students to ensure a smooth implementation; it currently serves 10 students. The program is open to students living within the district and those in surrounding counties.
The district plans to reopen enrollment for each semester. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the “Online Academy” section of the ejps.org website for more information or to contact Janae Russell or Matt Hudson directly.