Vanguard’s academic proficiency is a major point of pride. But what DeJong enjoys hearing about even more is the warmth and friendliness that visitors sense almost immediately from the staff, students, and parents. He has helped each group do their part to foster an environment that helps kids make better choices and also ranks in the top 10 on the Best Charter Elementary Schools in Michigan list, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2025 school rankings.
Whether it is a simple greeting at the door each morning with a smile, providing joy with a silly activity, or efficiently gauging and meeting students’ needs, DeJong does everything he can to make Vanguard a school that exudes compassion from every corner.
“No matter how much kids learn, I just want them to know that they were cared for and they were loved here,” he said. “It comes down to the hierarchy of needs. Do people feel cared for? Do they feel safe?”
DeJong previously taught at another National Heritage Academies (NHA) school, Holly Park Charter Academy (formerly Lansing Charter Academy) before coming to Vanguard. After a decade of leading Vanguard, it has never ceased to amaze him the amount of time and dedication that goes into helping students develop the skills and moral strength for college, work and beyond.
“I am continually amazed by the teaching staff and all the time and dedication they have put into the success of the kids,” he said. “There aren’t many careers that you can have that kind of impact that we can have at a school as far as the direction of kids providing them opportunities. It’s really exciting.”
He insists there is no secret component to Vanguard’s success. He simply invokes the Golden Rule, thinking back to how anyone would want to be treated as a student growing up. Said DeJong: “Family is so important. Trying to be that warm place where our teachers care about the kids and truly know them and invest in them in the way they do is just amazing.”
Quick Facts:
- He earned a bachelor’s degree from the St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree from Bethel University.
Check out a school near you!
About Vanguard Charter Academy
Vanguard Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Wyoming, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes over 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Visit Vanguard Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.