For Immediate Release:
Contact: Sarah Johnson, (202) 521-2826 Deborah Veney Robinson, (202) 521-2828 pressroom@publiccharters.org
U.S. Department of Education honors nations top schools and those serving disadvantaged students
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to recognize 14 public charter schools honored as 2010 National Blue Ribbon Award winners by the U.S. Department of Education. These schools are among the 254 public schools recognized as 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools and are being honored for their success at bringing students from any background to high levels of achievement.
“Public charter schools are among the nation’s top schools, and the Alliance congratulates the educators and families who have worked to bring high-performing schools into their communities,” said Peter C. Groff, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
“The award winning public charter schools are: Aurora Borealis Charter School, Kenai, Alaska; Aspire – Capitol Heights Academy, Sacramento, Calif.; Hawthorne Math and Science Academy, Hawthorne, Calif.; KIPP Heartwood Academy, San Jose, Calif.; Synergy Charter Academy, Los Angeles, Calif.; The Preuss School UCSD, La Jolle, Calif.; Newark Charter School, Newark Del.; Mater Academy East Charter School, Miami, Fla.; Gray Charter School, Newark, NJ; North Star Academy Charter School, Newark, NJ; Greenville Technical Charter High School, Greenville, SC; Briarmeadow Charter School, Houston, Texas; The Varnett Public School – East Campus, Houston, Texas; and Brompton School, Kenosha, Wis.
“The Alliance applauds the Department of Education for recognizing these high-quality public charter schools and urges them to continue supporting public charter schools that can bring high-quality programs to underserved communities,” added Groff.
“The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public schools based on one of two criteria. Schools may be honored for leading students, regardless of backgrounds, to high levels of performance and ranking among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments. Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from underserved backgrounds are honored for improving student performance to high levels as measured by the school’s performance on state assessments.”
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (Alliance) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
