South Side charter school’s new home opens, to delight of students
Chicago International Charter School celebrates the opening of Ralph Ellison at 1817 W. 80th St. The $16 million campus in the Gresham neighborhood is built at the site of the former Little Flower Catholic School. Ralph Ellison is named for the author of “Invisible Man,” a prominent African-American. 98% of the students at Ralph Ellison are African American.
Source: The Chicago Tribune
S.Side school gets 2nd life after 14 years
On Monday, August 18th, Chicago International Charter School’s Ralph Ellison campus will open its doors to students for the first time at 1817 W. 80th St. The newly renovated building features additions including a gymnasium, cafeteria, science labs and art, math and music rooms. CICS Ralph Ellison provides students with a college prep curriculum and is in session longer than most CPS schools.
Source: Chicago Sun Times
Denver Charter School Getting Better Results with Same Budget
The West Denver Preparatory Charter School is the top ranking Denver middle school in student academic growth. West Denver Prep achieves these results despite running on roughly the same budget as any other Denver Public School. West Denver Prep’s success speaks to a growing focus on the return on investment in educational funding which the Piton Foundation is expected to release a report on in the coming month. Based on West Denver Prep’s success, they are planning to open a second middle school next fall, and a high school three years later. West Denver’s success
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Schools in N.O. compete to draw students
New Orleans charter schools are no longer competing for teachers; however they are increasingly competing for students. Recognizing that survival depends on numbers, charter schools are actively recruiting students with signs, radio spots and booths. New Orleans has seen the opening of 7 new charter schools this month and the addition of new grades in several others. As school options increase, the student population remains roughly stagnant.
Source: The Times Picayune
Ask About New York’s Charter Schools
James D. Merriman IV, the chief executive of the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence will be answering New York Times City Room readers questions about charter schools in New York City. New York City’s charter schools are expected to number nearly 80 in September. Readers are invited to post their questions in the comment box listed below the article.
Source: The New York Times City Room
District 150 works on charter school: Board hopes proposed math, science academic can be Peoria’s first
District 150 school officials have begun to write criteria that will be used to establish a proposed math, science and technology academy as a charter school in Peoria. Some Board members remained concerned about the charter school proposal specifically wondering how unions operate under a charter school and how much control the School Board will have. The new school is estimated to cost $12 million and expected to open in fall of 2010.
Source: Peoria Journal Star
D.C.’s First All-Girls Public Charter School Opens
Excel Academic Public Charter School, a single-sex school in D.C., will open its doors for the first time this fall. Excel will educate 6 classes of 3 and 4-year old pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners in its first year and expand by one grade each year, eventually reaching 8th grade. The school offers an extended day and extended-year program and follows a high-literacy curriculum. It is estimated that by 2014, more students in the District will attend charter schools than traditional public schools.
Source: NBC4
Word on the street: Charter schools a hot topic
As talk of a potential charter school in Peoria rise, City Council members note that the issue merits some sort of council discourse. Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis hope that the council members will support having a discussion about charter schools. The increased focus on charter schools comes after the District 150 Superintendent, Ken Hinton, proposed that a new math, science and technology could be a potential charter school candidate.
Source: Peoria Journal Star