Marva Collins Preparatory School of Cincinnati
Our Roots
In 1975, Marva Collins, a Chicago educator opened a classroom in her own
home after she gave up on a public school system that was failing the
students in their charge. Too many students were either not
learning even the most basic skills or were being labeled as not
educable; hence, they were making disastrous life choices such as
dropping out of school. Mrs. Collins' method combines a rigorous
curriculum, nonstop personal caring and attention, and a firm belief in
the dignity and self-worth of each and every child. And it works wonders.
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Silverton Campus: Bob Leibold Photo Fall 2000 |
The Marva Collins Preparatory School of Cincinnati, Inc. is the first school
to actually bear the founder's name. Here, however, the school is under the
equally dedicated leadership of another caring educator, Mrs. Cleaster Mims,
President & CEO.
"Kids don't fail. Teachers fail. School systems fail. Colleges that turn out
teachers who cannot teach fail. The people who teach children very thoroughly
that they are failures are the problem." Marva N. Collins
Our Leadership
Cleaster Whitehurst Mims, President & CEO
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Raised on a peanut farm in Enterprise, Alabama, Mrs. Mims knows the
value of hard work and dedication. She not only put herself through
school to receive her bachelor's degree in Communication and English
from Xavier University, she also persevered until she earned a master's
degree in education. Ever since she first dreamed of a Cincinnati school
patterned after Mrs. Collins' Westside Preparatory School in Chicago, she
has personally struggled to gain both moral and financial support to make
that dream a reality.
Similar to Collins' beginnings, Mrs. Mims began her school in
1990 in a church basement with just 43 children. Her days often
began before dawn when she would personally clean the room and
prepare it for the day's work. A dynamo of energy, she not only
worked full time as a teacher at Western Hills High School, she
planned lessons for her new school, headed fund-raising efforts, |
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public relation duties, and still found time to give much-needed
personal attention to her students. When money was scarce, Mrs.
Mims found ways to cut corners. She recruited volunteers to help
with upkeep and fund raising, and she became skilled at bartering
for needed books, desks and other supplies. |
When the original opening date was postponed due to lack of funds,
Mims persevered. "I work by the dictates of God, and I know that God
wants us to have this school here in Cincinnati because it is needed."
With current enrollment topping 200, the plan to move Grades 4 through
8 to the new building in Silverton (formerly St. Theresa Nursing Home),
leaving more room for Pre-school through Grade 3 at the original facility
in Roselawn. The new location will also provide room for boarding students
who need housing, space for teacher training and visiting parents, as well
as room to expand certain curriculum (such as foreign languages).
Cleaster Mims continues to devote enormous time and energy to her campaign
for bringing education to life for those who truly want to learn. She still
teaches three days a week at Xavier University -- that's her job. But the rest
of her life is given -- with no monetary reward whatsoever -- to this school and
to these children. That's her vocation.
Awards
Mrs. Mims was honored in 2000 with the Smith Family Foundation
The Secret of Living is Giving award for
her selfless service to youth in the Greater Cincinnati community.
In 1990, Mrs. Mims was one of 19 individuals to receive the nation's
highest honor for volunteer service - the President's Service Awards.
Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and the Corporation for
National Service, the Awards are the most prestigious national recognition
given for volunteer community service directed at solving the country's critical
social problems. More than 3,000 individuals were nominated for the award.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is to develop the total child by instilling these values:
Academic Excellence
Self-esteem
Self-reliance
Self-determination
Perseverance
Integrity
Respect for self and others
Our Agenda
Schooling the Children
Because we believe that books are windows to the world, the old stand-
by, "See Spot Run..." is replaced by such classics as "The Odyssey"
or Shakespeare's Macbeth." Why teach young children just the word "big"
when it's just as easy to teach them "huge" or "enormous" or "majestic"?
Vocabulary is of paramount importance.
Not one minute of valuable classroom time is wasted - there
is no recess, and lunch is eaten at the desk.
Lessons are often performed in a sing-song fashion and classmates
are encouraged to praise each other's performance - loudly and in rhythm.
This makes the lessons stick.
Good communication skills are stressed, both at school and at home.
Schooling the Educators
Traditional teaching methods and education parameters don't apply here.
There are no extra-curricular activities to take away from the reason we're
here - to learn. When a teacher comes to us from a public school or another
private school, it takes time for them to learn our style. Every teacher
must truly love these kids and be willing to buy in to our methods, or
they don't teach at MCPSC.
Classroom size isn't of paramount importance; we believe
that a poor teacher can't teach even five students - and a good teacher
can teach a hundred.
Disciplinary problems aren't allowed to exist.
There are no excuses for not doing your best.
Teachers preach pride.
Schooling the Parents
In the beginning there were parents who had reservations about our methods,
but no more. Each year we have a long waiting list of parents who want their
children to benefit from what we offer.
No longer are parents powerless when it comes to making
a real difference in their children's education.
Parents attend classes every 2nd Saturday that keep them
apprised of activities and progress. Either both parents, or at least
one parent, guardian or caregiver MUST be present to be brought up to
date on what the children are learning, whether it's phonics, the classics,
the importance of self-esteem, or just lessons in what the school calls
"positive discipline."
Parents must understand that the learning continues at home.
The children must practice their values in everything they do.
Schooling the Public
We are truly non-conformists. Because our school does not operate
according to the same "standards" as more traditional systems, new
observers are skeptical when they experience our typical daily activities
for the first time. Where most classrooms are quiet and subdued -- not unlike
the atmosphere of a library, ours are loud and boisterous -- more like a
songfest or a revival. Where other students may work individually at
their desks, ours are often standing at the front of the room reciting
verses from Shakespeare.
We are proud of our differences, because this is part of the reason that
our students have opened their minds to learning, and why they can't wait
to get to school every day!
Roselawn Campus
7855 Dawn Road
Cincinnati, OH 45237 |
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Silverton Campus
6760 Belkenton
Cincinnati, OH 45236 |
Pre-K through Grade 8
