About

Renaissance Academy is a thriving charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade students in Mt. Pleasant and surrounding communities. There is no tuition charge to attend our school. As a Public School Academy, we receive the same state funding and follow the same state and federal guidelines as traditional public school districts.

Our Mission

The mission of Renaissance Public School Academy is to engage every student in becoming confident, creative, and collaborative builders of their future.

Our Vision

Renaissance students will find their passion to live fulfilled lives and make a difference in the world.

Our Defining Practices

  • We value connections with students to inform our personalized practices at varying levels of complexity depending on the individual.
  • We honor student voice and encourage student choice through self directed, individual student selected projects.
  • We use inquiry based approaches to guide students through Project-Based Learning experiences as well as content deep dives.
  • We believe in the power of ongoing, innovative, rigorous, professional growth.

Our Values

  • Safety and respect are the foundations for a positive learning environment among all members of our diverse school community.
  • We foster collaboration for students and staff while guiding them to take responsibility for their individual contributions.  
  • We empower our students and staff to be independent thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners.
  • We engage in rigorous learning opportunities for students to apply in real life experiences.

Our Board of Directors

Lisa Diaz-Sytsema, President
ldiaz@renaissancepsa.com

Mark Smith, Vice President
msmith@renaissancepsa.com

Jessie DeHaan, Secretary
jdehaan@renaissancepsa.com

Bart Blystone, Treasurer
bblystone@renaissancepsa.com

Erik Rodriguez, Director
erodriguez@renaissancepsa.com

Savannah Balcom

Kindergarten Teacher

Christina Schafer

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Jason Wilson

Kindergarten Teacher

Erika Clarke

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Jacquelyn Jalbert

Voyager Teacher

Bethany Koefoed

Voyager Teacher

Janeen Maday

Voyager Teacher

Darcy Molina

Voyager Teacher

Autumn Gairaud

Islander Teacher

Jessica Harman

Islander Teacher

Marilyn Lindsay

Islander Teacher

Jessica Molyneux

Islander Teacher

Trista Behmlander

Trailblazer Teacher

Jade Jablonski

Trailblazer Teacher

Stephanie Papenfus

Trailblazer Teacher

Tara Reger

Trailblazer Teacher

Blake Buzard

Middle School Teacher

Dave McCausey

Middle School Teacher, Athletic Director

Amber Schneider

Middle School Teacher

Brian Whitman

Middle School Teacher​

Courtney Doyle

Media Specialist

Stephen McConnell

Physical Education Teacher

John Roney

Band & Technology Teacher

Kassidy Thompson

Art Teacher

Joel Wiseman

Music Teacher

Jessica Bean

Special Education Coordinator

Jacqueline Berthelot-Aldrich

Interventionist Teacher

Sara Egloff

Interventionist Teacher

Kristen Hart

Resource Room Teacher

Heather Pastotnik

Interventionist Teacher

Natalie Snyder

Interventionist Teacher

Monica Pulver

Speech Teacher

Anna Doyle

Math Teacher

Sara Byers

Paraprofessional

Tasia Coston

Paraprofessional

Thomas Eckman

Paraprofessional

Pamela Hook

Paraprofessional

Charlotte Keel

Paraprofessional

Mike Pulverente

Paraprofessional

Maddi Thrush

Paraprofessional

Anna Walton

Paraprofessional

Meriah Wilder

Paraprofessional

Marie Boyd

Substitute Teacher

Anna Molina

Substitute Teacher

Jon Koster

Assessment & Technology Director

​Rachel Brandeberry

Community Connections Coordinator

Jordan Curtice

School-Based Outpatient Therapist

Jim Reihl

Maintenance

Pamala Lewis

Food Service

Hannah Phelps

Food Service

Tina Singer

Office Professional

Henry Mayer

Dean of Instruction

Brandy Reihl

Business Manager

Megan Nix

School Leader