Charlotte Secondary School

Charter Secondary School (CSS) is a fairly small middle school, located in East Charlotte that has been open since 2007. It serves 228 6^th to 8^th grade students.  Charlotte Secondary School has a diverse enrollment that promotes a comprehensive liberal arts education along with a Paideia philosophy of learning. According to a school staff member, many of their students enroll in Queens Grant Community School for high school after leaving CSS. For more information, visit www.charlottesecondary.org

• EOG scores: 78% proficient in reading and 93% in math
• EOC score: More than 95% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status:  School of Progress, Expected Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Per-pupil expenditure:  Approximately $6,544 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics:  52% white, 44% black and 2% Hispanic (2008-09 school year)

Community Charter School

Community Charter School is a small K-5^th grade school located in Uptown Charlotte that has been open since 1997. The school will serve 182 students in 2011-12 and has a waiting list of approximately 25.  Community Charter considers itself to be an emergent learning and arts integration school that promotes an interdisciplinary curriculum. The school draws on the resources of the community at large to provide a backdrop for real world experiences that include local government, museums, libraries, theatres and community service organizations.  For more information, visit www.charlottecommunitycharter.com

• EOG elementary school scores: 33% proficient in reading and 50% in math
• ABC designation and status: No Recognition, Less than Expected Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $8,859 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 60% black, 34% white, 4% Hispanic, 1% Indian, less than 1% Asian (2008-09 school year)

Community School of Davidson

The Community School of Davidson (CSD) is a K-10 school with approximately 1,065 students. CSD opened in 2004 as a K-3 school and has added one grade per year.  They are currently housed in two separate buildings, one being K-8 and the other a 9^th and 10^th grade building with plans to add 11^th and 12^th grade classes over the next two years.  According to Lead Administrator, Joy Warner, CSD currently has a waiting list of more than 3,000 students, and 95% of current staff have their own children enrolled in the school.  The school promotes a curriculum that is progressive, research-based and has a heavy emphasis on the arts.  For more information, visit www.csdnc.org

• EOG elementary school scores: 85% proficient in reading and more than 95%  in math
• EOG middle school scores: More than 95% proficient in reading and math
• EOC score:  More than 95% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status: Honor School of Excellence, High Growth
• AYP: Met adequate yearly progress
• Per-Pupil expenditure: Approximately $11,650 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 87% white, less than 9% black, 2.5% Asian and less than 2% Hispanic (2008-09 school year)

Crossroads Charter High School

Crossroads Charter High School (CCHS) is a high school located off of North Tryon Street that opened in 2001. It has morphed over the past few years from an alternative school for children who had either dropped out or been excluded from CMS schools to a charter school that focuses on innovative teaching solutions for high-risk students.  CCHS’s new Lead Administrator, Gentry Campbell, is focused on continued progress in spite of recent state budget cuts.  For more information, visit www.crossroadscharter.org

• EOC score: 45% proficient in Algebra I.
• ABC designation and status: Priority School, High Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Graduation rate: 65%
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $9,568 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 96% black, < 1% Asian and approximately 1.5% white and Hispanic (2008-09 school year)

Kennedy Charter Public School

Kennedy Charter Public School (KCPS) in South Charlotte was once an alternative school in 1998, and at one time it was also a foster care residential facility. But since current charter school law does not allow for an alternative school status, KCPS become a more typical charter school in 2007. In the 2011-12 school year KCPS plans to serve approximately 315 students. The school has three distinct programs: a K-3 program serving 80 students, a single sex 6^th to 8^th middle-school model serving 75 students and a 9th -12th high school serving 160 students. The high school also features a 9^th grade academy intended to better prepare students for the rigors of high school.  KCPS requires their students to earn 28 units of credit to graduate; CMS currently requires 24. According to Lead Administrator William Stubbs, a former Teach For America Corps Member and KIPP: Charlotte teacher, they have a waiting list for some grade levels, but not all.  Stubbs also noted KCPS has one school bus and is able to provide bus transportation for some of their students.  While 13% of students achieved proficiency in 2009 – 10, Stubbs is pleased with recent progress. For more information, visit www.kennedycharter.org

• EOG elementary scores: 42% in reading and 46% in math
• EOG middle school scores: 45% in reading  and 58% proficient in math
• EOC score:  41% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status: Priority School, Expected Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Graduation rate: 55%
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $13, 190 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 96% black, 2% white, 2% other (2008-09 school year)

KIPP: Charlotte

KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is a national charter school movement that has experienced significant success across the country.  KIPP: Charlotte in East Charlotte opened in 2007 and serves 360 students in grades 5-8.  Students often arrive at KIPP several years behind grade level.  KIPP requires their students and parents to participate in extended day programs, an extended year (two weeks of extra instruction in summer) and bi-weekly Saturday classes. There are currently three KIPP schools in North Carolina, one in Charlotte, a second in Gaston and a third in Northampton.  KIPP promotes a culture that espouses learning and hard work can be fun. KIPP has also developed a strong system of rewards and consequences, as well as a consistent focus on preparing for college. KIPP: Charlotte does not provide bus transportation.  For more information, visit www.kippcharlotte.org

• EOG elementary scores: 60% in reading and 75% in math
• EOG middle school scores: 79% in reading  and 92% proficient in math
• ABC designation and status: School of Progress, High Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $9,939 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 96% black, 3% Hispanic, and <1% white (2008-09 school year)

Lake Norman Charter

Lake Norman Charter (LNC) is a large, 5th-12th grade school located in Huntersville that serves almost 1,500 students.  It opened in 1998. Lake Norman Charter has a waiting list of more than 2,100 students for the 2011-12 school year.  LNC’s curriculum emphasizes service learning and leadership skills. Lake Norman Charter does not provide bus transportation or food service. For more information, visit www.lncs.org

• EOG elementary scores: 92% in reading and 95% in math
• EOG middle school scores: 95% in reading  and more than 95% proficient in math
• EOC score: More than 95% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status: School of Excellence and Expected Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Graduation rate: 93%
• Per-pupil expenditure: $7,286 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 87% white, 9% black, <2% Hispanic,  <3% Asian (2008-09 school year)

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (MRSA), located off Tyvola Road, is the only charter school that enrolls students who are certified as highly intellectually gifted.  MRSA opened in 2000 and adheres to the same admission criteria used by the CMS Horizons Program, also a program for highly intellectually gifted students.  The average IQ for these students is 145.  MRSA serves approximately 300 students in a K – 8^th grade level configuration.  Their curriculum is accelerated, and the school administration emphasizes teacher training, which follows the principles of gifted education.  A major fundraising effort has been underway to purchase a former office building and convert it to a school facility. For more information, visit www.scholarsacademy.org

• EOG elementary school scores: More than 95% proficient in reading and math
• EOG middle school scores: More than 95% proficient in math and reading
• EOC score: More than 95% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status: Honor School of Excellence and High Growth
• AYP: Met adequate yearly progress
• Per-pupil expenditure: Due to the local fundraising done by parents, $24,185 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 53% white, 34% Asian, 9% black, and 3% Hispanic (2008-09 school year)

Queen’s Grant Community School

Queen’s Grant Community School (QGCS) is located in Mint Hill and opened in 2002. The school expects to enroll more than 1300 students this year in two separate schools, a K-8^th grade school with 700 students and a 9^th-12^th grade school with 650 students. In essence, these are two separate schools under one charter.  The K-8^th school has a waiting list of 1,800 students, while the high school has no waiting list.  QGCS is a part of National Heritage Academies, Inc., a for-profit company that manages charter schools in nine states.  At this time, only the K-8^th school is managed by National Heritage Academies, Inc.  It should be noted that Mint Hill Mayor, Ted Biggers, sits on the Board of Directors and was instrumental in recruiting Queens Grant to Mint Hill.  Mayor Biggers did not respond to a request to comment for this e-newsletter.  According to Principal Michael Smith, QGCS has a college preparatory curriculum and considers itself to be a “no-nonsense school” with high expectations for students’ academics and behavior.  For more information, visit www.queensgrantcommunityschool.org

• EOG elementary school scores: 89% proficient in reading and more than 95% in math
• EOG middle school scores: 80% in reading  and 86% proficient in math
• EOC score: 64% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status: School of Distinction, Expected growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Graduation rate: 58%
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $5,546 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 87% white, 10% black, 2% Asian, 1% Hispanic (2008-09 school year)

Socrates Academy

Socrates Academy (SA) is a K-7^th grade school located Matthews that believes strongly in multi-culturalism and the study of foreign languages. SA opened in 2005 and offers English, Greek, Chinese, and Spanish courses.  SA currently has close to 500 students enrolled and a waiting list of 130. Strong parental involvement is encouraged, and the school challenges their students to become critical thinkers in a high-achieving environment.  For more information, visit www.socratesacademy.us/

• EOG elementary scores: 88% proficient in reading and more than 95% in Math
• ABC designation and status: Honor School of Excellence, High Growth
• AYP: Did meet adequate yearly progress
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $7,127 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 86% white, less than 9% black, 3% Hispanic, and less than 3% Asian (2008-09 school year)

Sugar Creek Charter

Sugar Creek Charter (SCC) is a K-8^th grade school located off North Tryon Street near Sugar Creek Road that opened in 1999. Its mission is to ultimately serve 90/90/90 (90% minority students, 90% of students eligible for free-and-reduced-price lunch and 90% of students on grade level).  Next year SCC will serve 785 students with a waiting list of 350. SCC requires all students to wear uniforms and has high expectations for student behavior and parental support.  The school has also made transportation a priority in its budgeting to provide a fleet of nine buses that serve students from approximately 80% of Mecklenburg County.   For more information, visit www.thesugarcreek.org

• EOG elementary scores: 53% proficient in reading and 72% proficient in math
• EOG middle school scores: 71% in reading and 92% proficient in math
• EOC score: more than 95% proficient in Algebra I
• ABC designation and status: School of Progress, High Growth
• AYP: Did not meet adequate yearly progress
• Per-pupil expenditure: Approximately $8,859 (2009-10 school year)
• Student demographics: 95% black, 4% Hispanic, 1% Asian (2008-09 school year)