ABOUT US » STEPPINGSTONE HISTORY

School History

In response to a group of ten families who needed an educational program for their gifted children, Kiyo A. Morse initiated and established Steppingstone in 1981 as an elementary day school in Plymouth, MI.

The decision was make in the spring, classrooms were rented from the education facilities of the Plymouth Church of the Nazarene students were enrolled for the fall opening and a parent support group was established. Two classrooms were developed, one for first through third grade curriculum and one for the grades four through six. A year later, enrollment was expanded to 45 students and three classrooms, each with a full-time teacher. The curriculum was also expanded to include specialized teachers for art, music and computer programming.. At the same time, as an adjunct to the physical education program, ice-skating instruction was initiated, and students participated in ISIA performance testing and in the Plymouth Ice Arena’s spring shows for six years.

In 1983, Steppingstone had the opportunity to move to the State-owned educational building in Northville, where students were supplied with additional facilities of a gymnasium, bowling alley, stage and expansive outdoor playgrounds. However, in early 1988, Wayne County became the legal owners of the facility. At that time, building use was closed to all clients including Steppingstone.

Therefore, during the summer of 1988, Steppingstone’s Director, staff and parents selected the Mercy Conference Center in Farmington Hills as the site for their school. At this facility, students had access to the use of a competition-size pool as well as some natural habitats and playgrounds.

In 1993, development within the Board of Directors was realized; administrative goals were realized; administrative goals were reviewed and revised; and half-day and full-day Kindergarten were established. Board and staff planning established after-school art enrichment classes, the continuous 10-week summer day camp program, before/after school extended-day accommodations, and opportunities for young Kindergarten students.

Current site front-wing expansion and Son Room

The Board of Directors set a goal to select a permanent site for expansion. Long-term goals are to establish an accompanying educational center; for in-depth and enrichment programs in the math-sciences, fine arts, recreational activities and computers. Eventually Steppingstone plans to offer educationally associated services in counseling, testing, parenting and other areas of child, parent and teacher support.

In the fall of 2002, ground was broken on the Phase-I expansion to the building, and construction was completed in the spring of 2004. New facilities include a music/foreign language room, art/science laboratory, expanded administrative offices, mini-conference room, and teacher preproom. The expansion also made possible the reorganization of classroom space with a student library, a lending library for the gifted, and classroom computers in addition to the computer lab. With the new facilities in place, Steppingstone introduced a broad array of after-school enrichment programs, including Japanese, Band, Orchestra, and Art, as well as group guitar and private piano lessons.

In May of 2005, Steppingstone acquired the 28-acre campus of the former William Tyndale College through the generosity of school supporters. The property located on 12Mile road and Drake road in Farmington Hills, was renovated during the summer and Steppingstone moved into their new home in October 2005.