About

Mission and Vision

Noorthoek Academy provides an affordable college experience, offering continuing education and inclusion experiences in the arts and sciences for adults with intellectual disabilities. We are dedicated to creating life-long learning and inclusion opportunities to enrich people’s lives.

Purpose

The Academy is designed for students who want to expand their knowledge and enrich their lives by learning more about the world around them. We provide many opportunities for self-expression and development of creative talents. We explore the natural sciences and liberal arts while learning about other countries and cultures using a dynamic, hands on approach. Being on a college campus and integrating into the mainstream, students have the opportunity to increase their self-confidence and independence while making friends in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

Who we serve

We serve students who have successfully completed four years of high school from Kent, Ottawa, and surrounding counties. The curriculum is tailored to the needs of the educable mentally impaired student or those with comparable abilities. The successful student is motivated to learn, displays socially acceptable behavior, and is able to read and write (with exceptions for visual impairments).

Board of Trustees

Cindy Zimdar

President

Tina Hoxie, Ed.D.

Vice President

Christine Marcy

Treasurer

Luthene Chappell, Ph.D.

Secretary

Elizabeth G. Crouch

Director Emeritus

Bill Behrendt

Trustee

Jeffrey Frank, M.D.

Trustee

Cyril F. Moore

Trustee

Kim Norman

Trustee

Victoria Smalley

Trustee

Jan Ver Merris

Trustee

Olivia Vanderveer

Trustee

Valerie Butterfield

Trustee

Denise Zalsman

Student Representative

Staff

Lyn VanTol

Executive Director

Sandra Barraza, M.A.

Director of Education

Katilin Doyle

Instructor

Donna Pizzo

Teacher Aide