Charter Schools Association Wants Another Stamford Charter School

Northeast Charter Schools Network Connecticut State Director Jeremiah Grace said the following about the proposal:

“We applaud the Stamford Charter School for Excellence proposal. SCSE is modeled after one of the best public charter schools in the country. The city’s children deserve no less.

“All Stamford parents deserve the right to choose the school that works best for their children. This is especially true for low-income families that have seen their children fall further behind in the traditional public schools, but don’t have the means to choose another option.

Bronx Charter School for Excellence Executive Director Charlene Reid said:

“If we are going to prepare more Stamford kids for college and the careers of the future, it will require a team effort. The SCSE founding team is prepared to bring our proven model to Stamford and partner with the community, as we have done elsewhere—not divide it.”

Facts on the Bronx Charter School for Excellence: 

• BCSE is a 2012 National Blue Ribbon Award recipient, and consistently one of the highest performing charter schools in the state of New York.
  
• In 2012, 95% of Bronx Charter School for Excellence students were proficient in math, and 86% were proficient in reading—nearly double the scores of the district schools in its neighborhood.
  
• BCSE has a 96% staff and student retention rate for the past five years.
  
• BCSE was recently awarded a state grant to improve student achievement in New York City by sharing its teaching practices with district schools.
  
• BCSE’s video “Closing the Creativity Gap” was produced by Today Show co-host and BCSE board member Willie Geist. http://vimeo.com/76069525
  

Facts about Connecticut charter schools: 

• Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that admit students via a blind lottery. They accept all students regardless of their academic ability.
  
• They are managed by non-profits and subject to government oversight. Charter schools must perform to stay open.
  
• State charter schools do not take funding away from the local school district in any way, shape or form. When a student attends a state charter school, the local school district actually keeps the state funding for that student, and the charter receives a separate grant from the state. C.G.S.A. § 10-66ee.
  
• Districts are eligible for reimbursement from the state for transportation and special education services provided to charter school students.

About the Northeast Charter Schools Network

The Northeast Charter Schools Network is a regional advocacy organization for the more than 200 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high-quality charter schools in the region so that all students can receive a great public education.