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Tag: Charter schools

  • In a reversal vote, Loudoun Co. school board will allow charter schools to ask for funding to cover facility upgrades – WTOP News

    Charter schools in Loudoun County will be able to keep asking for funding for infrastructure improvements, as part of an updated policy the school board approved.

    Charter schools in Loudoun County, Virginia, will be able to keep asking for funding for classroom upgrades and other infrastructure improvements as part of an updated policy the school board approved last week.

    The policy pertains to the establishment of charter schools. As part of an amendment to the proposed policy, charter schools are eligible to ask for funding for infrastructure needs, and those needs could be included in the Capital Improvement Program if the school board deems it necessary.

    The Capital Improvement Program is the school division’s long-term plan for acquiring property and renovating and maintaining existing public school facilities. The proposed update passed, 7-2.

    The approved policy update put an end to community fears that Loudoun County’s two charter schools would be ineligible for funding to improve their campuses. The original proposal said charter school facilities wouldn’t be included in the Capital Improvement Program for current or future improvements.

    “It is a positive step, but I also feel like we’re still going to have continuing conversations on how much funding we can get,” parent Robert Carey said. “Can we really improve the school? How much funds will we be able to receive? That will be a work in progress, but at least it’s a very, very good, positive first step.”

    Joe Luppino-Esposito, vice president of Hillsboro Charter Academy’s board of directors, said the newly approved policy takes out the “worst part,” which he described as the section restricting funding for charter schools. Their campus, he said, doesn’t have a music room or a teacher’s lounge, and it has a small lab that doubles as the lunch room.

    The campus includes what he calls the “art cottage,” a portable trailer that was supposed to be temporary, “but it’s been there since at least 1996. These are all the type of things that would really not stand anywhere else in the district, except for the fact that it’s been the charter school,” Luppino-Esposito said.

    As part of the approved amendment, introduced by Loudoun County School Board member Lauren Shernoff, the school board will defer to current charter agreements for existing charter schools.

    At the Sept. 30 meeting, Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis told the board allowing charter schools to be considered for capital improvements could be costly, suggesting expansion plans could leave the district responsible for spending millions on enhancements for existing infrastructure in addition to new spaces.

    The school board last reviewed its policy for establishing charter schools in 2020.

    The new updates, Carey said, allow for capital improvements that are “critical for us to be able to operate and continue to operate in a safe environment for these students.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Scott Gelman

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  • Charter school supporters rally for ‘equal treatment’, more funding as mayoral election nears • Brooklyn Paper

    A coalition of over 200 New York City public charter schools marched across the Brooklyn Bridge last week in what school networks are calling a show of support for a “child’s right to learn” and opponents have labeled as forced advocacy.

    Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy — after hosting organizer webinars, sending SOS emails to supporters, family and faculty, and allegedly admonishing employees for failing to lobby elected officials to her — rallied on Sept. 18 with some 15,000 students, parents and staff, then “marched for excellence” from Brooklyn to Printing House Square, just outside New York’s City Hall.

    The rally was described by organizers as an opportunity for advocates to “raise their voices in unity” and send a message demanding “excellence as a civil right,” as well as “equal treatment and access to excellent schools.”

    Supporters said the rally was an opportunity to demand equal treatment of and access to charter schools. Photo by Jonathan Portee

    “This rally is about equity, justice and opportunity,” said Samantha Robin, a parent at Dream Charter School. “Parents deserve the freedom to choose schools that honor their children’s genius, their culture, and their potential.”

    With mere weeks before the New York City mayoral election, charter schools, facing the prospect of a new mayor opposed to their expansion in Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, are framing the “March for Excellence” rally as part of a yearslong larger fight for the equal treatment of charter school students.

    The rally comes at a delicate moment for the charter sector. Charters, which are publicly funded and privately run, serve 15% of city students but have experienced slowed growth in enrollment since the pandemic, according to research from the New York City Charter School Center.

    Mamdani, the only major mayoral candidate running in November, has been critical of charters. He centered his education platform on universal child care and has been vocal about his intention to review charter school funding as mayor.

    rally
    Thousands of people attended the rally and march.Photo courtesy of March for Excellence
    success academy CEO eva moskowitz
    Success Ccademy CEO Eva Moskowitz, who organized the rally and allegedly demanded that Success students and teachers attend. Photo by Jonathan Portee

    Supporters in attendance included Rafiq Kalam Id-Din, Chair of the Black, Latinx, and Asian Charter Collaborative; Leslie-Bernard Joseph, CEO of KIPP NYC public schools; and many charter school families and faculty, who were instructed on organizing and staying on message throughout the event.

    Rumors circulated online that faculty attendance at the rally was compulsory.

    In the r/survivingsuccess group on Reddit, one user’s simple question concerning the veracity of the claim sent members of the small but sprawling community of current and former charter school teachers into a frenzy.

    Reporting that details internal emails and other documents about the event suggest a coordinated effort to pressure employees into participating and coerce students into demonstrating what the charters are calling targeted advocacy.

    Will Doyle, 21, grew up attending public schools in the Bay Ridge area. Now a first-year teacher with Success Academy in Sheepshead Bay, Doyle explained the reason for the rally.

    charter school students at rally
    A number of charter schools canceled classes for the day and brought students to the rally instead. Photo by Jonathan Portee

    “We’re here advocating for charter schools, but I do know that with the mayoral elections coming up, some candidates oppose the expansion of charter schools,” Doyle said. “From what I’ve heard, mayoral candidate Mamdani seeks to oppose the expansion of charter schools. I don’t have a source for that, but I have done some personal research. I don’t know if he’s the only one.”

    Doyle said he was happy to attend the rally because he works for a charter school and all employees are required to attend these events as part of their job.

    An operations associate with Success, who asked not to remain anonymous, echoed that the event was planned due to a general concern about “certain candidates” in the upcoming election. The associate noted that Success Academy is trying to show a presence for the cause of charter schools.

    “I think that [charters] definitely would advocate that they need more money and space. But I think the big thing is just accounting for future challenges,” he said.

    students march across brooklyn bridge
    Rallygoers marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan after the Cadman Plaza event. Photo by Jonathan Portee

    While the repercussions for skipping the rally may not seem swift or severe, staff at the charters have said they worry about the condition of their working environments should they opt not to attend the rally.

    “I think that there is pressure. I know that it might not reflect directly on your employment, but it’ll reflect on your experience in the school building if you weren’t going to be here,” the associate said.

    CUNY law professor David Bloomfield told Gothamist that under laws governing nonprofits, charters can require staff to participate in demonstrations if they are advocating for the schools, rather than speaking in support or opposition to a political candidate.

    Documents obtained by a reporter for Labor New York showed that Zeta Charter elementary and middle schoolers had classroom instruction canceled for the day and instead were scheduled to participate in a “school-on-a-bus” civics lesson, suggesting the event was part of the school’s curriculum for the 2025-2026 academic year.

    charter school rally
    Some lawmakers are calling for an investigation of the event, which they said was a “misuse” of public funds. Photo by Jonathan Portee

    Pop-up tents for rally “marshals” to hand out water, snacks, and protest signs were scattered around Cadman Plaza Park. First-year parents and teachers showed little hesitation in sharing their excitement about the event, while members of the charter system with more than a year under their belt were often skittish about sharing their reasons for attending. 

    A day after the rally, two lawmakers — state Sens. John Liu and Shelley Mayer, who chair the senate’s education committee — called for an investigation of the event, which they said had been an “egregious misuse of instructional time and state funds.” 

    The pair said in a letter that the state provides public funding to charter schools “to educate students, not for political activism or for influencing elections.” If violations are uncovered, they said, the state should take back a portion of the funding it had provided to the participating charter schools. 

    By Jonathan Portee

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  • Loudoun Co. charter school worries proposed policy change will prevent funds to upgrade facilities – WTOP News

    A Loudoun County charter school said a proposed change to make charters ineligible for capital improvement program funding would make it challenging to maintain and expand its facilities.

    Hillsboro Charter Academy students attend an assembly.(Courtesy Hillsboro Charter Academy)

    A Loudoun County charter school said a proposed change to make charters ineligible for capital improvement program funding would make it challenging to maintain and expand its facilities.

    Hillsboro Charter Academy, which has 144 students and a long waiting list, is sounding the alarm about the possible consequences of the change the suburban Northern Virginia district’s school board is considering.

    Under the proposal, which was discussed at a Loudoun County School Board meeting earlier this month, a charter school facility or campus would not be included in the school board’s Capital Improvement Program for “current or future capital improvements.”

    A vote on the change could be scheduled for the end of September.

    The pivot comes as the school is hoping to improve its physical infrastructure, including building new playgrounds and a new music room. Joe Luppino-Esposito, vice president of the charter school’s board of directors, said the move means “we’re really at risk of the school just not being able to operate because the building will fall into disrepair.”

    WTOP has contacted School Board Member Kari LaBelle, whose Catoctin District includes the school campus, for comment on the school’s concerns.

    “The part where it seems like the district is falling short and saying things like, ‘Every school needs a new playground, except for you guys in Middleburg, because you’re the only two charter schools, so you don’t get a new playground,’” Luppino-Esposito said. “This doesn’t really make any sense. Those kids are no different in the third grade in our schools versus the third grade in Mountain View or any of the other schools.”

    The school has previously received capital funding for things such as an HVAC unit, Luppino-Esposito said, and the school board agreed to replace the roof. It’s funded from Loudoun County schools’ regular operating budget, and it gets paid the average per pupil figure. The division takes a 5% administrative fee, “and then that money is supposed to be dedicated primarily to student education, but that money also goes toward regular maintenance,” he said.

    Teachers at the school work for the public school division, but leadership works for the private academy. Luppino-Esposito said there’s no tuition or “special permission to get in.”

    The school system’s Capital Improvement Program is a long-term plan for maintaining school infrastructure and covering construction costs, among other things.

    Some school board members have argued against the proposal, but Luppino-Esposito said “some people in the district are saying, ‘Well, worse come to worse, we can just close down the school and distribute the kids back to their home schools and so be it.’”

    Caleb Kershner, who represents the Catoctin District on Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors, said not funding the capital needs of charter schools could be “a death knell, potentially.” The supervisors fund the school division’s budget but don’t directly fund a specific school.

    “They are a form of a public school, so I don’t know why you would treat them any differently in terms of the funding and how you support them as you do with a traditional school,” Kershner told WTOP.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Scott Gelman

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  • Trump administration’s war on public schools comes to Detroit with unpublicized education chief visit

    U.S. Department of Education

    Linda McMahon is on a 50-state “Returning Education to the States Tour.”

    U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is visiting Renaissance High School in Detroit on Monday, raising alarms among teachers who say the Trump administration’s education agenda threatens the future of public schools.

    McMahon, the former World Wrestling Entertainment executive whom President Donald Trump tasked with dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, is on a 50-state “Returning Education to the States Tour.” Since August, she has been on the road promoting “school choice” and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, often spotlighting charter schools.

    During her tour in Oklahoma in August, McMahon joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for an anti-DEI bill signing.

    “That same commitment to students is reflected in the state’s new law ending DEI mandates — ensuring education is grounded in merit, not radical ideology,” McMahon said. “It was encouraging to be in the Sooner State to support this important step toward state-driven education reform.”

    Joining McMahon at Renaissance High School at about 2 p.m. is Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican whose refusal to pass a budget has left schools statewide facing layoffs and uncertainty.

    McMahon’s stop at Renaissance High School was not announced to the public, unlike her openly publicized appearances at Hillsdale College and a Republican Party barbecue in Midland later Monday. That’s likely no accident because some of her visits have drawn protests from parents concerned about her plans to eradicate the department, cut federal education spending, and roll back civil rights enforcement.

    “The superintendent just made the board aware that there was a request for a visit but I’m not sure what is supposed to take place other than a tour,” Detroit Public Schools Community District school board member Monique Bryant tells Metro Times. “We are all pretty much in agreement that it was worth approving the visit and moving forward.”

    She adds, “We’re all hoping there’s just an interest in touring some of the great schools we have in the district. But as a board member, I have my concerns, and like all the teachers and administrators, I am very cautious.”

    Board member Bishop Corletta Vaughn says the district vetted the visit carefully.

    “We had concerns when the invitation came,” Vaughn says. “It was thoroughly vetted to make sure it was benign and that there is nothing egregious taking place under the table. There is nothing we have been able to vet that has caused alarm. We have a strong team there in case something goes awry.”

    Teachers in the district were less diplomatic. Two educators who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation say they are frustrated that McMahon was being welcomed with open arms.

    “We’re all really concerned about what she’s doing here,” one teacher tells Metro Times. “No one has said anything to us, other than she’s coming.”

    Another teacher was more blunt: “It’s a slap in the face to public school teachers. Why would you accept an invitation from someone who wants to destroy schools? It’s offensive and demeaning.”

    McMahon’s visit comes as the Trump administration pushes to slash billions from public education, while converting federal funds into block grants that critics say will weaken protections for low-income and special education students. The administration has already frozen and unfrozen $6 billion in K-12 funding and in March announced layoffs of nearly half of the Department of Education’s workforce, prompting unions and civil rights organizations to warn of devastating consequences, especially to students in lower-income districts.

    Civil rights enforcement has been among the first casualties, with the department shuttering regional offices, including the one in Cleveland that handled Michigan cases. Advocates warn that in high-poverty districts like Detroit, families will face longer waits for investigations into discrimination, disability rights, and language access complaints.

    The stakes are particularly high in Detroit, where public schools are losing students and resources to competing charter systems. In 2023-24, roughly 45,000 students attended Detroit Public Schools Community District, while 48,000 were enrolled in charters and another 12,000 used Schools of Choice to attend other districts.

    Because funding follows students, each child who leaves DPSCD takes state dollars with them, draining a district that serves mostly low-income students.

    Amid those challenges, McMahon will be accompanied by Hall, a Republican whose refusal to pass a budget has left schools statewide facing layoffs and uncertainty. Democrats have blasted Hall for holding up negotiations.

    “Schools all over the state have been forced into an impossible position and are scrambling to plan for the upcoming year — all because of the inaction and implacability of one man, Republican Speaker Matt Hall,” Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, said in a statement.

    Also on Monday, McMahon is scheduled to appear at the Midland County Republican Party’s annual Bill Schuette Barbeque, where she’ll share the stage with GOP lawmakers and the president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free-market think tank that has long attacked teachers’ unions and championed charters schools.

    The campaign stop only deepens the blow for educators who see her visit as a threat to Detroit’s public schools.

    It’s unclear why McMahon chose Renaissance High School, which is considered one of the best public schools in Detroit. About 44% of children in Detroit live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

    Steve Neavling

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  • A back-to-school look at the top-scoring school districts in the Pittsburgh region

    With Labor Day upon us, many kids in the Pittsburgh region have already or soon will return to school.

    And as back-to-school time is underway, that brings the question of which school districts and charter schools get the highest scores on the state standardized tests given to students in public schools every year. It’s a question the Pittsburgh Business Times has been answering for 21 years with its Guide to Southwestern Pennsylvania Schools, which looks at the performance of 105 school districts in the region overall, as well as offers numerous other rankings, including those by grade that also include the charter schools and a ranking of all the districts in the state using the same formula.

    Here is a look at the results of that analysis, published every spring and revisited as students (and parents), teachers and administrators start the 2025-26 school year:

    Click here to read more from our partner the Pittsburgh Business Times.

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  • Gov. Shapiro congratulates 173rd Cadet Class of PA State Police Academy

    Aug. 23—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris to celebrate the graduation of the 173rd Cadet Class of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy — one of the nation’s most rigorous and respected law enforcement training programs.

    The Governor welcomed 59 new troopers that completed 28 weeks of comprehensive training and will now be assigned to PSP stations across the Commonwealth, where they will begin serving their communities.

    “Policing is a noble profession — and the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities,” said Gov. Shapiro. “Today, these cadets join their ranks after completing one of the most challenging and rigorous law enforcement training programs in the nation. You are the best of us, and now you will carry the responsibility of keeping Pennsylvanians safe.”

    “Today is the result of months of hard work, determination, bravery, and selflessness,” said Colonel Paris. “I am proud to call members of the 173rd Cadet Class troopers, and I have full confidence that they will succeed in answering the call to serve, protect, and uphold the law throughout our great Commonwealth.”

    Since taking office, Gov. Shapiro has made historic investments in the Pennsylvania State Police — removing outdated barriers to service, expanding recruitment, and providing critical resources to keep communities safe.

    The Shapiro Administration has funded eight cadet classes to train over 800 new State Troopers and secured funding to help departments recruit and retain nearly 700 municipal police officers across Pennsylvania. To date, more than 500 cadets have graduated and joined the ranks of PSP under Gov. Shapiro’s leadership.

    Nearly $400 million has been secured for the construction of a new state-of-the-art PSP Academy.

    The Administration is expanding the use of body-worn cameras across 67 counties to improve transparency and accountability.

    Since Governor Shapiro took office, gun violence is down 42% and gun deaths by firearm are down 38% across Pennsylvania. In 2024 alone, violent crime declined nearly 12% compared to 2022.

    Rep. Meuser supports bill to expand charter school opportunities and strengthen school choice

    U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week cosponsored H.R. 3453 — the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act — bipartisan legislation to help experienced educators open new charter schools and expand learning opportunities across the country.

    The bill gives states greater flexibility in using funding from the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). Specifically, it allows states to use up to 5% of their CSP grants for small planning grants to assist educators navigating the complex application process for new charter schools.

    Currently, Rep. Meuser said CSP funds cannot be used for planning phases, often forcing teachers and administrators to step away from their jobs and bear financial hurdles to complete applications. This legislation removes that barrier and ensures skilled educators have a fair and supported path to launch schools that meet their communities’ needs.

    Rep. Meuser said proponents of the legislation argue that charter schools consistently deliver strong academic outcomes, with higher graduation rates and improved test scores in reading and math.

    Rep. Meuser said expanding charter access is a critical component of school choice, empowering parents to choose the right educational setting for their children — rather than being locked in by geography or under-performing school districts.

    “Charter schools provide families with more choice and students with new opportunities to succeed,” said Rep. Meuser. “By supporting experienced educators at the planning stage, this legislation removes barriers, strengthens accountability, and helps meet the demand from parents seeking alternatives to under-performing schools. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and expanding school choice through charter schools is an important part of that mission.”

    Rep. Meuser also noted how charter school expansion complements broader reforms enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill. Included in that legislation is a new federal tax credit scholarship program giving parents new control over their children’s education.

    Starting in 2027, donors can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit — up to $1,700 annually — for contributions to nonprofit scholarship organizations that provide K — 12 assistance. These flexible scholarships can cover tuition, tutoring, books, uniforms, transportation, technology, and special-needs services, empowering low- and middle-income families with real educational options.

    Rep. Meuser said the urgency of this effort is underscored by troubling state education outcomes. He said according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Nation’s Report Card, 69% of Pennsylvania’s eighth grade students are not proficient in either math or reading.

    The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act was reported out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce favorably in June and now awaits consideration on the floor.

    PennDOT reminds Pennsylvanians to drive responsibly ahead of Labor Day weekend

    The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) this week joined the PSP and safety partners to urge Pennsylvanians to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

    PSP and local municipal police agencies will be conducting impaired driving enforcement details as part of the National Crackdown on Impaired Driving enforcement and education campaign running through Sept. 1.

    Over the Labor Day holiday weekend last year — Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 — there were 1,002 crashes statewide, resulting in 13 fatalities and 722 injuries. Of those crashes, 106 were alcohol related, resulting in four fatalities and 65 injuries; and 27 were drug-related, resulting in three fatalities and 22 injuries.

    “These numbers should be zero,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.

    Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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  • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is named chair of National Governors Association

    Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is named chair of National Governors Association

    Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was elected Friday to lead the National Governors Association, a bipartisan 55-member body of state and territorial leaders.

    For the last year he served as the vice chair of the group, which serves as a policy workshop for the nation’s governors and their cabinets. In the new post, Polis will push an initiative to help states build education systems that prepare students for the workforce and to address economic needs, such as mismatched skills and worker shortages.

    Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks next to U.S. Senator Michael Bennet at a bill-signing event for a new child tax credit at Denver KinderCare in Denver on Friday, May 31, 2024. (Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage/The Denver Post)

    “All Americans should have access to education that prepares them for success in life,” Polis said in a statement announcing his chairmanship. “As the world changes and technology evolves, ensuring all students graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary for success is so important for U.S. economic competitiveness.

    “Our initiative will explore how to better evaluate outcomes from state investments in education, and help drive improved outcomes for learners at all stages of their education journey.”

    Nick Coltrain

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  • Colorado Based Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc. Successfully Sells $77.5 Million in Bonds to Support Campus Acquisitions and Expansion

    Colorado Based Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc. Successfully Sells $77.5 Million in Bonds to Support Campus Acquisitions and Expansion


    GOLDEN, Colo., May 29, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc. (ACACS), a prominent Colorado charter school network dedicated to providing a classical education, is thrilled to announce the successful sale of $77,515,000 in bonds on April 25, 2024. Facilitated through Ascent Colorado Building Corporation, these bonds represent a significant milestone in ACACS’s mission to enhance educational opportunities for students across Colorado.

    ACACS received a BB rating from Standard & Poor’s, underscoring investor confidence in ACACS’s financial stability and growth potential. A total of 14 investors participated in the bond sale, which was issued through the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority. The bonds are fixed interest rate with a true interest cost of 5.79% and a 35-year final maturity.

    The proceeds from the bond sale will be allocated towards several strategic initiatives aimed at furthering ACACS’s commitment to excellence in education. Specifically, the funds will be used to:

    1. Acquire and Improve Ascent Douglas County Campus: Enhancing facilities to provide an optimal learning environment for students.
    2. Acquire Ascent Northern Colorado Campus: Expanding ACACS’s reach to serve more students in the Northern Colorado region.
    3. Refinance Ascent Grand Junction Campus: Strategically managing debt to ensure long-term financial stability.
    4. Expand Ascent Northern Denver Campus: Increasing capacity to accommodate growing demand for ACACS’s classical education model.

    Commenting on the successful bond sale, Rob Williams, ACACS Board Chair, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled with the overwhelming support from investors, which reflects confidence in our mission and vision for the future. The proceeds from this bond sale will enable us to continue providing a classical, content-rich education that instills moral character and civic virtue in our students.”

    ACACS operates four K-12 tuition-free classical charter schools affiliated with Hillsdale College, offering a rigorous curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. 

    For more information about Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc., please visit Ascentcolorado.org.

    About Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc.: 

    Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc. is a leading Colorado charter school network committed to providing a classical education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. With a focus on moral character and civic virtue, ACACS empowers students to excel academically and contribute meaningfully to society.

    Source: Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc.

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  • VHS Learning Earns MSA-CESS Reaccreditation 

    VHS Learning Earns MSA-CESS Reaccreditation 

    Boston – VHS Learning has once again received accreditation from the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), a worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement. A peer review team from Middle States member schools recommended VHS Learning for reaccreditation, and Middle States voted on the recommendation at its biannual meeting in Philadelphia. VHS Learning has been accredited by MSA-CESS since 2008.

    For over 130 years, MSA-CESS has been helping school leaders establish and reach their goals, develop strategic plans, promote staff development, and advance student achievement. The institution accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial, and charter schools as well as non-degree granting career and technical post-secondary institutions and learning services providers. Receiving accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards.

    “This reaccreditation reflects VHS Learning’s commitment to supporting its school community.  Accreditation by MSA-CESS is a validation of the dedication and expertise that our faculty and staff have in teaching and learning best practices,” said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. “Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools accreditation is the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement, and our reaccreditation shows that VHS Learning is committed to excellence and continuous improvement.” 

    As part of the reaccreditation process, VHS Learning conducted a self-study before the peer review team’s evaluation. That self-study involved input from the nonprofit’s leaders, teachers, parents, and students. “Collaborating with Middle States gives us valuable independent feedback on how well our program is meeting research-based performance standards,” DeFuria continued. “Our work with Middle States helps us evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of our students and schools.”

    About VHS Learning

    VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with almost 30 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. More than 500 schools around the world take advantage of VHS Learning’s 200+ online high school courses — including 29 AP® courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses — to expand their programs of study. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit  https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning.

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  • Quinta Brunson Shuts Down Critic Of ‘Abbott Elementary’ Charter School Plotline

    Quinta Brunson Shuts Down Critic Of ‘Abbott Elementary’ Charter School Plotline

    “Abbott Elementary” creator Quinta Brunson schooled a critic on her own academic background last week during a critique of her Emmy-winning television series.

    Jeanne Allen, founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform, called Brunson out on Twitter last Thursday, stating that the actor and writer had “attended charter schools her entire education.”

    “She reportedly loved it at the time, heaped praise on it,” Allen added. “Once upon a time.”

    Brunson responded by deeming Allen “wrong and bad at research,” along with a detailed clarification of her education history.

    “I only attended a charter for high school. My public elementary school was transitioned to charter over a decade after I left,” she wrote on Twitter. “I did love my high school. That school is now defunct ― which happens to charters often.”

    In a second tweet, she added: “Loving something doesn’t mean it can’t be critiqued. Thanks for watching the show.”

    Brunson, a Philadelphia native, attended the Charter High School of Architecture and Design, or CHAD, which closed in 2020.

    Her exchange with Allen came one day after the most recent episode of “Abbott Elementary” aired, sparking debate among some real-life teachers and parents over the charter school movement.

    Titled “Festival,” the episode depicts Draemond Winding (played by Leslie Odom Jr.), the New York-based founder of a network of charter schools, plotting a takeover of the underfunded Abbott Elementary.

    Abbott’s conversion from a public school to a charter school would require implementing a rigid application process for students while possibly leaving many educators’ jobs on the chopping block.

    Allen has previously called out Brunson and “Abbott Elementary” for their depiction of the charter school movement. The March 2 episode, titled “Mural Arts,” alluded to charter schools as being broadly funded by “wealthy donors with ulterior motives.”

    Many interpreted the line, delivered by Sheryl Lee Ralph’s character, Barbara Howard, as a reference to Republican mega-donor Jeff Yass, who has spent millions to support charter schools and political action committees that push for the election of conservative candidates.

    Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Allen called the line a “gratuitous slap against people with wealth” and a “hollow, evidence-lacking shot at charter schools.”

    Brunson has frequently used her show to highlight the virtues of public education. Still, her comments on the movement as a whole have been measured.

    “Are charter schools better? Maybe,” she told Time. “But can we support our public schools more so that we don’t feel like one is necessarily better than the other? Because public schools have so much to offer. And we wanted to focus on: How can we support our public schools?”

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  • Philadelphia high school students disciplined after video shows one using black spray paint on another’s face while saying racist comments | CNN

    Philadelphia high school students disciplined after video shows one using black spray paint on another’s face while saying racist comments | CNN



    CNN
     — 

    At least two Philadelphia high school students are facing disciplinary action after a racist video recorded outside of school surfaced on social media showing one girl spraying black paint on another girl’s face as they made racist comments a week into Black History Month.

    Two of the girls in the video that began circulating online on Tuesday attend Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, according to Kenneth A. Gavin, the chief communications officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A third girl in the video is not a student there, he said.

    “We will not disclose finite details of individual disciplinary actions but the level of behavior calls for a minimum of suspension and counseling and a maximum of expulsion,” Gavin told CNN in an email Wednesday.

    In a statement released Wednesday, Franklin Towne Charter High School said the former student who participated in the video or any other students who exhibit such conduct “have no place at our school.”

    “The content of this video does not reflect the values and culture of our Towne family,” the school said on it website. It’s unclear whether the former student was enrolled at the time of the video recording.

    A Black parent whose daughter attends the Catholic school told CNN the video was sent directly to his daughter and niece as well as other Black students.

    When asked whether the video was initially sent to Black students at the school, Gavin told CNN, “At this time it is unknown as to the exact distribution. My understanding is that it was posted and shared on social media.”

    Saint Hubert Catholic High School serves roughly 500 students grades 9 through 12 while nearly 1,300 students attend Franklin Towne Charter High School, their respective data shows. Both schools are majority white, the data shows.

    The video began circulating on social media a week into Black History Month.

    In the video, a girl is seen using black spray paint to color the face of another girl as she says, “You’re a Black girl! You know your roots! It’s February! You’re nothing but a slave… and after this she’s doing my laundry.”

    People in the video can be heard laughing as this occurs. One person is seen filming the incident on her phone. The girl who had her face painted black says, “I’m Black and I’m proud.”

    The video was taken outside of school and after school hours, a Wednesday statement provided to CNN by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said.

    “We recognize and understand that the actions of these students have reopened societal wounds in a deeply painful way. Those allegedly responsible are not present in school and are being disciplined appropriately,” the archdiocese said.

    The archdiocese added the school and the Office of Catholic Education are conducting a review into the incident. “Should that process determine involvement by any other students, they will also face disciplinary action,” the statement said.

    Footage shot by CNN affiliate KYW showed parents and activists protesting outside Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls on Wednesday holding signs that read, “No More Racism” and “Hate Hurts.”

    Catherine Hicks, president of the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP, expressed in a statement Wednesday her strong disappointment in the video and called on the school to “ensure action takes place immediately.”

    “It is extremely disheartening to have to address this, especially during the observance of Black History Month, that honors the accomplishments and rich history of black people,” the statement said.

    “The video showing the egregious acts of Philadelphia Archdiocese white female students spray painting a young lady’s face black is totally unacceptable,” the statement continued. To say the act was done in jest “is not only appalling but shows us the continued cycle of racism that we are constantly fighting against.”

    In its statement, the archdiocese said: “We take this opportunity to be abundantly clear that there is no place for hate, racism, or bigotry at Saint Hubert’s or in any Catholic school. It is not acceptable under any circumstances or at any time. The use of any racial epithet is inconsistent with our values to treat all people with charity, decency, and respect.”

    The archdiocese noted that the students’ behavior violates the code of conduct and the policy on technology use, which applies to students inside and outside the school.

    According to the statement, general threats were made Tuesday afternoon against the school community after the video surfaced on social media.

    The threats were reported to law enforcement, and no extracurricular activities will be held at the school for the remainder of the week, according to the statement.

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  • Schola Closes $10M Series A to Further Improve Student Recruitment and Engagement in PK-12 Schools

    Schola Closes $10M Series A to Further Improve Student Recruitment and Engagement in PK-12 Schools

    The growth capital will allow the EdTech SaaS company to match even more families with the ideal schools for their children and drive enrollment for Schola’s PK-12 school partners.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jan 17, 2023


    PHOENIX, January 17, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
     Schola, the online platform that helps families discover, connect, and enroll in the ideal PK-12 schools for their children, marks a new milestone by closing a $10M Series A round of funding. With triple-digit annual recurring revenue growth, this minority-founded and led organization has already surpassed 100K students searching for the most suitable school in their platform to improve educational outcomes across the United States. The growth investment will power Schola’s continued nationwide expansion and standardization of how families and schools connect with one another, creating brighter futures for all.

    “We’re very excited about the additional resources from this investment that will allow Schola to execute further our vision for families and schools across America. We will continue adding tools to the platform to help students in every state find their perfect school, giving them a better chance to reach their full potential.” – Jaime Martinez, Founder and CEO of Schola.  

    Channel Equity Partners led Series A, followed by significant investors Arizona Venture Development Corp, Revolution‘s Rise of the Rest (led by Steve Case, of AOL fame), EduLab, Stout Street, and Portfolia. Their support accelerates the addition of more mission-driven professionals to Schola’s team and expands the capabilities of its double-sided school choice marketplace, strengthening Schola’s commitment to increasing parents’ engagement with their children’s education. Schola will continue to revolutionize how English and Spanish-speaking families from various backgrounds connect with schools to build strong communities inside and outside the classroom.

    “PK-12 student recruitment is yet another market transitioning from offline methods to streamlined, digital channels. The data showed that Schola’s school partners receive a potential 15x return on investment from the value of enrollment applications generated by its marketplace. CEP is thrilled to support this amazing team that has developed the most efficient solution for schools and families to succeed.” – Jensen Bryant, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Channel Equity Partners.

    About Schola: Schola is the leading software company for families and schools to improve PK-12 education outcomes. Schola helps families discover, connect, and enroll in the ideal school setting and helps schools source, enroll, and engage with prospective families. Schola believes that enrolling in the ideal learning environment must be accessible; thus, it is entirely free to parents and students. Learn more by visiting schola.com

    Source: Schola

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  • Sickness affecting 48 at charter school still unexplained

    Sickness affecting 48 at charter school still unexplained

    HANOVER, Pa. — Authorities say they still don’t know what caused several dozen children and adults to fall ill at an eastern Pennsylvania school last week, prompting an evacuation.

    Chief Scott Van Why of the Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Department told The (Allentown) Morning Call on Sunday that tests of the air turned up nothing to explain what affected 48 children and adults Friday at Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School.

    Emergency responders were sent to the school after nearly a dozen people were reported sick in one of the three buildings. Officials said that building, which houses seventh- through twelfth-grade students, was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution,” but normal operations continued at other buildings where younger students are taught.

    Susan Mauser, CEO of the Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School, said most of those taken to hospitals for evaluation had been released as of Friday night, LehighValleyLive.com reported.

    Fire and hazmat officials checked for oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride and flammable gases and found all within normal ranges, Mauser said. A visual inspection for hazardous materials also failed to turn up anything and the HVAC unit was found to be operating properly, she said.

    The building owner was scheduled to bring in air quality specialists in coming days to further evaluate the building, Mauser said.

    The charter school has 1,825 students who come from 16 school districts in the area.

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  • South Bronx Classical Charter School II Recognized as 2019 National Blue Ribbon School in First Year of Eligibility

    South Bronx Classical Charter School II Recognized as 2019 National Blue Ribbon School in First Year of Eligibility

    Classical Charter Schools prepares students from the South Bronx to become liberated scholars of impeccable character

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Oct 29, 2019


    NEW YORK, October 29, 2019 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​South Bronx Classical Charter School II was one of 362 outstanding public and non-public schools recognized as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The prestigious national program and annual award celebrate school excellence, turnaround stories, and the closing of achievement gaps.

    “I’m thrilled that South Bronx Classical Charter School II won the Blue Ribbon in its first year of eligibility,” said Classical Charter Schools Executive Director Lester Long. “Particularly gratifying is that we are listed as an Exemplary High Performing School, which indicates that our scholars are going beyond simply matching their more advantaged peers, but exceeding them.”

    Particularly gratifying is that we are listed as an Exemplary High Performing School, which indicates that our scholars are going beyond simply matching their more advantaged peers, but exceeding them.

    Lester Long, Executive Director

    Minority students from impoverished families benefit most from New York City’s charter schools, which offer strong academics and the prospect of upward mobility. Over 89% of Classical Charter School’s students live below the poverty line, and 98% are African-American or Hispanic.

    There is a palpable urgency and passion behind Classical’s mission to prepare scholars in the South Bronx to excel in college preparatory high schools. Benjamin Arabia, who sits on Classical’s Board of Trustees, noted, “We’re constantly striving to get better in every way. Our aim is to create replicable systems in all our schools that give our scholars the best opportunity to succeed.”

    South Bronx Classical Charter School II opened in August 2013 and prepares K-8th-grade students in the South Bronx to excel in college-preparatory high schools. Through a rigorous, classical curriculum and highly structured approach, students become liberated scholars and citizens of impeccable character who achieve proficiency in and advanced mastery of New York State Performance Standards. School II Director Leena Gyftopoulos stated, “I’m so proud for our school to be recognized. This honor highlights the hard work and dedication that our entire team has demonstrated over the past six years.”

    Gyftopoulos went on to say, “I attribute this achievement to the tireless work of our teachers, the constant leadership of our administrative team, and the tenacity of our scholars.” Charter schools like Classical provide a local high-quality public-school option to New York City’s students and put students first by leveraging the flexibility and autonomy of their charters to establish schools and create school cultures that are designed to serve the needs of the community.

    The U.S. Department of Education will honor the 312 public and 50 private schools at a formal recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., this November.

    About Classical Charter Schools

    Classical Charter Schools is an award-winning charter school network founded in 2006 in our nation’s poorest congressional district to address the South Bronx’s stark inequality of access to education. For more information on Classical, visit classicalcharterschools.org.

    Media Contact: Amber Roussel, +1 (713) 530-0106

    Source: Classical Charter Schools

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  • Mason Classical Academy Students Attend Forum Club Event With Boeing CEO

    Mason Classical Academy Students Attend Forum Club Event With Boeing CEO

    Mason Classical Academy students meet chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, Dennis A. Muilenburg in Naples, Florida.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Apr 30, 2019


    NAPLES, Fla., April 30, 2019 (Newswire.com)
    –
    On Friday, April 5, Miss Miravalle, Elementary Academic Dean, escorted four 11th grade students, Eric Daugherty, Katelyn Lindsey, Anne Marie Clemons and Joseph Tanner, to the Forum Club Luncheon. The guest speaker was the chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, Dennis A. Muilenburg (pictured standing behind the students on the right). The students mingled with the members of The Forum Club before being ushered into the dining room.

    Before Mr. Muilenburg spoke, a description of Mason Classical Academy was read to the audience and each of the MCA 11th graders took the stage and introduced themselves. The students spoke of their community-related and school-related achievements, their colleges of choice, and their hopeful future careers. Anne Marie Clemons mentioned her interest in Aerospace Science, and Mr. Muilenburg got her name and mentioned a possible internship opportunity. These four students represented MCA with poise and professionalism!

    Contact: Gena Smith, Mason Classical Academy

    Date: 4/30/2019

    Phone: 239-227-2838

    Email: gsmith@masonacademy.com

    Source: Mason Classical Academy

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  • New Non-Profit Launches With ‘Bullish’ Outlook on Newark’s Education Future

    New Non-Profit Launches With ‘Bullish’ Outlook on Newark’s Education Future

    New organization wants to show the nation that Newark can demonstrate ‘third way forward’ on public education

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Apr 30, 2019


    NEWARK, N.J., April 30, 2019 (Newswire.com)
    –
    As public education in Newark undergoes another major transition, a new non-profit organization is launching with a bold vision for what’s possible. The organization, named the New Jersey Children’s Foundation (NJCF), intends to show the rest of the nation that cities can move past the acrimony and us-versus-them politics of education reform to create systems of district and charter schools working together to improve opportunities for ALL children.

    The new organization’s mission is to invest in people, programs and partnerships that will improve public education systems by putting the interests of children first. Its vision is that each and every child will break down the walls of inequity through the creation of high-quality public education systems.

    “Children have been the biggest beneficiaries of the improvements to public education in Newark over the last decade,” said NJCF founder and Executive Director Kyle Rosenkrans. “But no one should run a victory lap until every child can get into a great public school. 

    “That’s why Newark’s next phase of locally driven leadership is so exciting. The city can show the nation that it’s possible for a system of district and charter schools to work together and expand educational opportunity.”

    The new organization will focus on three issue areas:

    1. Citywide School Performance. Newark has come a long way but needs a consistent, fact-based discussion about student outcomes, one that is unafraid to talk about both the successes and failures, and leads to real improvement strategies.

    2. District-Charter Collaboration. Newark can be a national model for how we create systems of high-performing public schools, with great district and charter schools living side by side as neighbors and collaborators.  

    3. Fair Funding for All Public Schools. There are tremendous inequities in the way both district and charter schools are funded in New Jersey. We will work alongside anyone dedicated to fixing this problem so that every student in the city has the resources they need to learn at the highest level.

    NJCF will do three things to advance these issues:

    1. Publish policy, data and research to promote a fact-based discussion about what’s working and what’s not and identify potential solutions.

    2. Support grassroots advocacy projects to increase the number of people involved in the discussion about public education.

    3. Fundraise for proven, citywide solutions to improve student outcomes.

    The new non-profit is launching with a board of experienced professionals that it hopes to expand over time. Board chair Everett Johnson was born and raised in Newark and is now a partner at the prestigious Wilentz law firm, specializing in municipal finance. Board member Modia Butler is a partner at Mercury Public Affairs and a top advisor to New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. Kevin Shafer is a founding board member and a partner with the City Fund, a new national philanthropic initiative that is supporting NJCF’s launch. Kevin has deep experience in working in large city school districts focused on improvement.

    Founder and Executive Director Kyle Rosenkrans has worked in Newark for more than a decade. Kyle is a first-generation college graduate from New Jersey who went on to become a civil rights attorney, law professor and public policy advocate. Kyle’s career has covered a variety of social justice initiatives in Newark: K-12 education reform, low-income housing preservation, assisting victims of foreclosure scams and related research about the impact of foreclosures on Newark communities, LGBT rights and police brutality, anti-bullying policy and prisoner reentry. He is a successful fundraiser who spent the last two years helping KIPP New Jersey build and launch a multi-million dollar fundraising campaign — raising millions in pledges for the non-profit organization. Prior to this, Kyle spent five years as lead education attorney at Essex-Newark Legal Services, two years as a visiting law professor at Seton Hall Law School’s Center for Social Justice in Newark and several years as the CEO of the charter school association in New York and Connecticut. He is a fellow of the Leadership Newark class of 2011 and proud father of a 5-year-old son.

    Contact: Matthew Frankel, MDF Strategies, 917.617.7914

    Source: New Jersey Children’s Foundation

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