Gaming Curriculum Transforms Student Success at Michigan Charter School
Gaming Curriculum Transforms Student Success at Michigan Charter School
Jun 25, 2025
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Summary
When a previous esports program stalled, Flint Cultural Center Academy revived it with purpose using Gameplan. With a student-centered approach and customizable curriculum, teacher Abby Leonhard rebuilt engagement, boosted digital skills, and helped students develop confidence across subjects. The result? A thriving elective, cross-curricular benefits, and students asking for more.
The Story of Flint Cultural Center Academy
How Flint Cultural Center Academy reignited student engagement and digital literacy through Gameplan’s esports curriculum
Flint Cultural Center Academy (FCCA), a charter school in Michigan, is known for its focus on innovation and student-centered learning. Abby Leonhard, a dedicated social studies teacher and lifelong gamer, teaches 7th and 8th grade social studies and also leads an esports elective for grades 6 through 8 using Gameplan. Abby Leonhard saw an opportunity to reintroduce an esports program that had previously stalled. Learning from past missteps, she tailored Gameplan’s structured and editable curriculum to fit her students’ needs better.
About the Educator: Abby Leonhard
Abby Leonhard teaches 7th and 8th grade social studies at FCCA and leads the esports program. A lifelong gamer and innovative educator, Abby brings a practical, student-first mindset to integrating digital tools into learning.
The Challenge: Rebuilding Esports the Right Way
With Gameplan, one teacher turned a stalled program into a cross-curricular success story
While FCCA had experimented with esports before, the lack of structure and consistency limited its impact. Abby identified a need for a platform that was easy to implement, student-centered, and supportive of real academic goals. The urgency was clear: engage students with a curriculum that meets them where they are, through games.
“I avoided what didn’t work and did what did. Gameplan just made it so much easier to set up something meaningful.” - Abby Leonhard
The Solution: Why Gameplan Was the Right Fit
A Structured, Customizable Curriculum Built for the Classroom
After evaluating several options, Abby and her principal chose Gameplan for its structured, customizable curriculum and ease of use. It aligned perfectly with FCCA’s student-first philosophy.
Out of all options explored, Gameplan emerged as the clear choice for its:
Flexible curriculum structure
Student-centered approach
Easy to implement
Customizable content
Built-in assessment
“Gameplan was definitely student-centered, which is what we prefer here. But it was also just a really well-made curriculum. Organized very well, very easy to understand, and editable.”
How They Implemented Gameplan
Phase 1: Initial Implementation
Abby began with a 12-student pilot, customizing assignments and leveraging built-in lessons to begin building digital literacy. Students who once struggled with typing quickly developed new skills and became more engaged.
“There are students that couldn’t really type at the beginning. Now they’re actually using all their fingers. It’s awesome.”
Phase 2: Program Growth
The program expanded to include grades 6 through 8. Abby noticed improvements in other classes as well, particularly in digital assignments. Students became more willing to revise work, collaborate, and support each other’s learning.
The Results: Real Growth Across Subjects
Gameplan helped FCCA students develop confidence in technology, enhanced their collaboration, and translated into stronger engagement in other subjects.
“I had students in esports and also in my world history class and they would immediately be able to engage a lot better, especially on computer-based assignments.”
Students have shown marked improvement in:
Typing proficiency
Digital literacy
Technical confidence
Classroom participation
Peer collaboration
Teacher Reflections
Gameplan Skills Transferred Across the Curriculum
The curriculum also teaches students how to take feedback seriously. When Abby marks work for revision, students actively ask how to improve, something she values deeply as an educator.
The Little Things Matter Sometimes, it's the small features that create big impacts. The avatar customizer, for instance, has become a surprise hit with both students and teachers, demonstrating how gaming elements can enhance the learning experience in unexpected ways.
Key Takeaways
Student-Centered Design Works Gameplan's flexible, student-first approach enables meaningful engagement.
Structure Matters A well-organized curriculum supports both teaching and learning.
Cross-Curricular Benefits Are Real Gaming skills transfer to traditional academic subjects.
Small Features, Big Impact Even simple gaming elements can enhance student engagement.
Teacher Empowerment is Key Customizable tools allow educators to optimize for their students' needs.
Creating Your Success Story
Ready to Bring This Energy to Your Classroom?
FCCA's story shows how esports, when done right, can become a meaningful part of learning and a vehicle for engagement. With flexible content, a student-first design, and classroom-ready tools, Gameplan helps teachers like Abby bring energy, purpose, and skill-building into the school day.
Let us show you how Gameplan can spark student engagement and achievement in your school. Schedule a demo or contact us to get started.
The Story of Flint Cultural Center Academy
How Flint Cultural Center Academy reignited student engagement and digital literacy through Gameplan’s esports curriculum
Flint Cultural Center Academy (FCCA), a charter school in Michigan, is known for its focus on innovation and student-centered learning. Abby Leonhard, a dedicated social studies teacher and lifelong gamer, teaches 7th and 8th grade social studies and also leads an esports elective for grades 6 through 8 using Gameplan. Abby Leonhard saw an opportunity to reintroduce an esports program that had previously stalled. Learning from past missteps, she tailored Gameplan’s structured and editable curriculum to fit her students’ needs better.
About the Educator: Abby Leonhard
Abby Leonhard teaches 7th and 8th grade social studies at FCCA and leads the esports program. A lifelong gamer and innovative educator, Abby brings a practical, student-first mindset to integrating digital tools into learning.
The Challenge: Rebuilding Esports the Right Way
With Gameplan, one teacher turned a stalled program into a cross-curricular success story
While FCCA had experimented with esports before, the lack of structure and consistency limited its impact. Abby identified a need for a platform that was easy to implement, student-centered, and supportive of real academic goals. The urgency was clear: engage students with a curriculum that meets them where they are, through games.
“I avoided what didn’t work and did what did. Gameplan just made it so much easier to set up something meaningful.” - Abby Leonhard
The Solution: Why Gameplan Was the Right Fit
A Structured, Customizable Curriculum Built for the Classroom
After evaluating several options, Abby and her principal chose Gameplan for its structured, customizable curriculum and ease of use. It aligned perfectly with FCCA’s student-first philosophy.
Out of all options explored, Gameplan emerged as the clear choice for its:
Flexible curriculum structure
Student-centered approach
Easy to implement
Customizable content
Built-in assessment
“Gameplan was definitely student-centered, which is what we prefer here. But it was also just a really well-made curriculum. Organized very well, very easy to understand, and editable.”
How They Implemented Gameplan
Phase 1: Initial Implementation
Abby began with a 12-student pilot, customizing assignments and leveraging built-in lessons to begin building digital literacy. Students who once struggled with typing quickly developed new skills and became more engaged.
“There are students that couldn’t really type at the beginning. Now they’re actually using all their fingers. It’s awesome.”
Phase 2: Program Growth
The program expanded to include grades 6 through 8. Abby noticed improvements in other classes as well, particularly in digital assignments. Students became more willing to revise work, collaborate, and support each other’s learning.
The Results: Real Growth Across Subjects
Gameplan helped FCCA students develop confidence in technology, enhanced their collaboration, and translated into stronger engagement in other subjects.
“I had students in esports and also in my world history class and they would immediately be able to engage a lot better, especially on computer-based assignments.”
Students have shown marked improvement in:
Typing proficiency
Digital literacy
Technical confidence
Classroom participation
Peer collaboration
Teacher Reflections
Gameplan Skills Transferred Across the Curriculum
The curriculum also teaches students how to take feedback seriously. When Abby marks work for revision, students actively ask how to improve, something she values deeply as an educator.
The Little Things Matter Sometimes, it's the small features that create big impacts. The avatar customizer, for instance, has become a surprise hit with both students and teachers, demonstrating how gaming elements can enhance the learning experience in unexpected ways.
Key Takeaways
Student-Centered Design Works Gameplan's flexible, student-first approach enables meaningful engagement.
Structure Matters A well-organized curriculum supports both teaching and learning.
Cross-Curricular Benefits Are Real Gaming skills transfer to traditional academic subjects.
Small Features, Big Impact Even simple gaming elements can enhance student engagement.
Teacher Empowerment is Key Customizable tools allow educators to optimize for their students' needs.
Creating Your Success Story
Ready to Bring This Energy to Your Classroom?
FCCA's story shows how esports, when done right, can become a meaningful part of learning and a vehicle for engagement. With flexible content, a student-first design, and classroom-ready tools, Gameplan helps teachers like Abby bring energy, purpose, and skill-building into the school day.
Let us show you how Gameplan can spark student engagement and achievement in your school. Schedule a demo or contact us to get started.
Written by
Gameplan Team
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