New Charter School Coming to Area

The Connecticut Board of Education this week unanimously approved two new state charter schools, the first since 2008.  These public schools, planned in Waterbury and Windham, will expand choices for families, and each focuses on serving high-need student populations who are at risk of falling behind peers—a major contributing factor to Connecticut’s student achievement gaps.  In an initial request for expression of interest, 24 prospective charter school providers applied.

“Strengthening Connecticut’s education system is the cornerstone of building a competitive, thriving state,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy.  “I’ve been very clear that we need to replicate what works in education, all the while mindful that ‘what works’ is different in each community.  State charter schools give municipalities another option to meet the varied needs of their students and provide alternative high quality opportunities for student learning and achievement.  Most importantly, these tools keep educational decision-making local.”

“A one-size-fits-all approach will not remedy Connecticut’s worst-in-the-nation achievement gap.  We must aim to offer a variety of high-quality options for families and, in so doing, provide an array of solutions to the achievement gap problem.  In the context of other educational choices, public charter schools have the potential to deliver great new opportunities to our young people,” said State Department of Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor. “We are deeply grateful to Governor Malloy and the General Assembly for funding new state charter schools over the next two years and for recognizing the importance of providing these new educational options.”

Waterbury’s Brass City Charter School is designed to serve the city’s minority students from low-income families and will eventually enroll students in grades PK-8.  It is modeled after Children’s Community School in Waterbury, which has successfully served low-income students for over 40 years.  It is expected to open in the fall of 2013 with grades PK-1. 

In Windham, Path Academy will re-engage the region’s over-aged, under-credited English language learner students through a personalized approach and a college and career focus.  Path Academy anticipates opening in 2014.

Currently, only 17 state charter schools, representing less than 2 percent of public schools, are operating in Connecticut.  The last state charter school was approved by the State Board of Education in 2008.  Funding appropriated in the biennial budget is expected to allow one new state charter school to open in the 2013-14 fiscal year and up to three in fiscal year 2014-15.

News release from the CT Department of Education