Letter From Our Founder

As a child, I spent my free time walking the halls of Hines VA Hospital, smiling to brighten the day of those I encountered. It was at this young age I realized the impact that one person can have on the life of another.

My grandfather, Chester A. Olszewski, is the inspiration for Metropolitan Schoolhouse. He is the person who introduced me to volunteering and opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Through volunteering with my grandpa, I learned the value of hard work, patience and most importantly- to have an open mind. He instilled within me the idea that education is based on our experiences and interactions with one another.

At Metropolitan Schoolhouse, students will have an opportunity to learn valuable life skills that cannot be attained in a traditional classroom. Along with reaching a high level of academic success, students will be empowered to be active members of their community in order to make this world a better place. The skills learned through experience far outweigh what can be attained in a classroom. The ability to truly listen, work together as a team and accomplish a goal can only be reached through genuine, real-world experiences.

My goal for Metropolitan Schoolhouse is to provide students with an education that focuses on the whole child. The development of both academic and social skills is imperative to being a successful, independent adult. Through instilling a sense of social justice and responsibility we can achieve great things.

Through Metropolitan Schoolhouse, my grandfather’s legacy lives on. The idea that education is all around us is something that we often overlook. Teaching students the skills to identify and take advantage of these lifelong learning opportunities is what we at Metropolitan Schoolhouse strive for.

Jennifer Kelly

Founder