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Dear Community,

Since opening our doors in 2018, we have been an important part of the Saginaw Education Community. We appreciate the close relationship we have developed with our community and are continually humbled by your generosity and support.

The dedication of our staff is inspiring. Teachers care deeply for students and work hard to help them succeed. Our priority is on student learning, ensuring every student is challenged to achieve or exceed grade level, district and state expectations. We accept no limits on the learning potential of any child.

We provide a safe, orderly and respectful environment, which promotes high levels of student engagement. We honor the diversity and unique talents of all of our students, embracing the different cultures and backgrounds that represent our community.

We are excited to offer students daily experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as well as service-learning, global studies, career & college awareness, leadership, financial literacy, physical education, and wellness. These enriching opportunities extend the learning that students are provided in the classroom and often inspire lifelong pursuits. This is just part of our commitment to serving your child’s unique academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.

Thank you for choosing Saginaw Academy of Excellence!

Helen M. Dyson-Jiles, Head of School

Helen M. Dyson-Jiles brings many years of educational experience and a heart for students to her role as Head of School. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for 10 years before returning to college to pursue her passion for educating children. She holds a BS in Education with a focus on Science from Central Michigan University as well as a master’s degree in Special Education. She is working toward her doctoral degree in Education with special emphasis on STEM. Dyson-Jiles taught in Buena Vista School District for 19 years. She served as Principal of Ricker Middle School and Buena Vista High School before moving to the district’s Director of Curriculum and Grants position. She left retirement to join ACCEL Schools in 2018 and continues to serve students and teachers as she is, “not tired YET!”. She believes in the importance of STEM learning and is excited about the future of Saginaw Academy of Excellence. 

Pamela Farris, Superintendent

Pamela Farris joined ACCEL Schools in 2018 with over 25 years of experience as a K-12 educator and administrator. She has dedicated most of her career to closing achievement gaps in urban school districts. As Regional Vice President at ACCEL Schools, Mrs. Farris oversees leadership development, instructional programming, operations, and strategic planning for multiple schools in Michigan. Mrs. Farris holds a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Education Specialist degree in Administration from University of Detroit Mercy. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Education Leadership & Policy at Wayne State University. She additionally studied education in Oxford, England, led several education delegations to Kusatsu, Japan, and studied/toured International Baccalaureate schools in Israel and China. Mrs. Farris was inducted into the Metropolitan Detroit Women of Excellence Class of 2017.

Staff Directory

Charter School

Saginaw Academy of Excellence is a public charter school. We are our own school district sponsored by Eastern Michigan University, which provides oversight and enforces academic, fiscal, and legal accountability. We are managed by ACCEL Schools, a high performing network of over 50 charter schools located throughout the United States.

Charter schools offer families an alternative to the local public school. Charter schools are tuition-free, open to all students in the county, and focused on meeting student needs for success. Charter schools are among the top-performing schools in the nation. Read more about charter schools.