The charter for the Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology -- GREAAT, for short -- is expected to be approved April 27 by Lake Superior State University.

GREAAT will offer instruction in instrumental and vocal music, dance, theater and graphic art.

Co-founder Marvin Sapp -- a Grand Rapids pastor and gospel artist -- said his school will also offer mentorships and "experiential learning" through partnerships.

Sapps` arts-focused charter school will open to 6th- through 8th-graders this fall. The coming year`s classes will have 75 seats each. Enrollment applications are available now online.

A new grade will be added each year until the school will eventually have 525 students in 6th through 12th grade, the release said.

GREAAT was the dream of the late MaLinda Sapp, wife of Marvin Sapp, who died of cancer in 2010. After her death, the opening of the school was delayed.

"This has been a big dream of ours," Sapp told 24 Hour News 8 in a phone interview. "We remember having art as apart of the core curriculum in public schools ... [The opening] is bittersweet ... I get to see our dream come to pass, but MaLinda`s not here to see it."

The academy is one of 15 to 20 charter schools on track to open this fall in Michigan. It`s one of two set to open in southeast Grand Rapids.

River City Scholars Charter Academy, owned and operated by National Heritage Academies, will open in Grand Rapids Public Schools` former Oakdale Elementary. The company already has more than 40 charter schools in Michigan and is set to open three more in the fall.

"All three schools are opening now to meet the growing demand of local families in those communities," Joe DiBenedetto of Heritage Academies officials said. He told 24 Hour News 8 there`s already a waiting list for the school.

When opening a plethora of charter schools, sometimes controversy arises because of the way they`re funded: like public schools, they are free of charge and open to anyone who wants to enroll their children. But like private schools, they specialize in certain areas and can have a waiting list, meaning some children won`t get in.

Some see the increase in charter schools since Gov. Rick Snyder raised the cap on them in December 2011 as competition to traditional public schools.

"This isn`t about a competition, per se. It`s about driving quality. You`re eagerly trying to meet the needs of students, that`s what you`re trying to do. We all need to work hard at that as adults," said Dan Quisenberry of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies.

GRPS spokesperson John Helmholdt agreed.

"It`s not about competition or special interest," said Helmholdt. "It`s about what`s best for the students, the neighborhood and the community. It`s about ensuring they have access to a high-quality education."

Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology will be located in Henry Hall on the campus of Kingdom Square on Burton Street SE. There are plans to build a performing arts center that will bear MaLinda Sapp`s name.

The first day of school is scheduled for Sept. 4.

The River City Scholars Charter Academy is located at 944 Evergreen Street southeast in Grand Rapids.