Nation's Leading Charter School Manager Credits
Strong Student Achievement Results
100% of Charter Contracts Retained for 2004-05
NEW YORK, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Edison Charter Schools, a division of
Edison Schools Inc., plans significant growth across the country for the
2004-2005 school year. Additionally, Edison will retain all of its existing
non-profit charter school partners and is in the process of renewing several
key relationships.
"Our track record in helping raise student achievement and closing the
achievement gap is the best in the industry," said John Chubb, Edison's chief
education officer.
"It is clear that our charter school partners appreciate the results we
are delivering," added Joe Keeney, president of Edison Charter Schools. "As
the charter school movement evolves, many more existing charter schools are
approaching us to implement our comprehensive school reform model."
Edison Charter Schools will be working in a number of new schools this
fall:
* Confluence Academy in St. Louis, MO will be opening a new Walnut Park
campus that will ultimately serve approximately 1,000 students in
grades K-8.
* Ben Ross Public School Academy in Warren, MI will be opening a new
school serving grades K-7 in September.
* Christel House Academy, one of the original charter schools in
Indianapolis, IN has entered into a management agreement with Edison.
* The Community Governing Board of the Green Valley Ranch/Montbello
communities in Denver, Colorado, in collaboration with the Foundation
for Educational Excellence and Edison Schools, will be opening the
Omar D. Blair School -- an Edison K-8 Charter School to serve
approximately 800 students.
* Renaissance Advantage Charter School in Philadelphia, PA entering into
its sixth year of operation, is considering a perspective agreement
with Edison for the management of its K-8 charter school.
Edison has a number of charter schools that are undertaking significant
site expansions in 2004-2005, including:
* Harriet Tubman Charter School in Bronx, NY will be expanding its campus
and doubling its enrollment.
* Milwaukee Urban League Academy of Business and Economics in Milwaukee,
WI will be adding a new middle school campus.
* Friendship Public Charter School in Washington DC, (which repaid a
$16 million loan to Edison, last fall, upon completion of an
investment grade-rated bond offering) is building a new middle school
at its Woodridge campus.
* Confluence Academy is expanding its original Old North St. Louis
campus.
Several Edison charter schools are anticipating significant enrollment
increases this fall:
* Derrick Thomas Academy in Kansas City, MO is expanding to serve grades
K-7.
* Renaissance Academy-Edison Charter School in Phoenixville, PA is
expanding to serve grades K-12.
* Charter School for Applied Technologies in Tonawanda, NY is expanding
to serve grades K-9.
* Marianna Bracetti Academy in Philadelphia, PA is expanding to serve
grades 6-12.
Edison is also pleased to announce several charter school contract
renewals:
* Edison Oakland Public School Academy in Ferndale, MI has entered into a
new five-year management agreement with Edison.
* Westport Allen-Edison Village Charter School in Kansas City, MO has
extended its existing management agreement with Edison.
* YMCA Service Learning Academy in Detroit, MI plans to enter into a new
multi-year agreement with Edison to provide educational services.
According to its recently released Sixth Annual Report of School
Performance, Edison-managed schools improved levels of proficiency by an
average one-year gain rate of seven percentage points. This rate of
improvement is two to three times the gain rates at comparable schools and
districts.
Edison's role in the charter school movement is nationally recognized.
Jeanne Allen, president of the Washington D.C.-based Center for Education
Reform noted, "Edison Schools are at the forefront of the nation's fastest
growing innovation in public school reform. They are a shining example of how
innovation and accountability can translate into high achievement for our
kids."
Edison charter school clients also praise Edison's performance. "Strong,
academically focused charter schools provide a valuable and necessary
alternative for children in urban areas," said Confluence Academy (St. Louis,
MO) Board President Susan Uschitelle. "The Edison education model provides
this outstanding alternative."
Board President Mark Schugs of the Milwaukee Urban League Academy of
Business and Economics, added his praise. "We are delighted that our students
are doing so well and continue to improve academically. This is the result of
the combined efforts and dedication of our staff, educators, parents, and
students using the Edison design."
About Edison Schools
Founded in 1992, Edison partners with school districts, charter boards,
and community groups to raise student achievement through its research-based
school design, aligned assessment systems, interactive professional
development, integrated use of technology and other proven program features.
Edison students are achieving annual academic gains well above national norms.
Edison Schools now serves more than 132,000 public school students in over 20
states through four different business channels: (1) the management of schools
for school districts, (2) charter schools, (3) summer and after-school
programs, and (4) achievement management solutions for school systems. The
Company operates 130 full-year schools and 200 summer schools.
Between 1992 and 1995 and in ongoing efforts, Edison's team of educators
and scholars conducted research to develop its school design and support
systems. Edison opened its first four schools in August 1995 and has grown
significantly since that time. For more information, please visit
http://www.edisonschools.com.
SOURCE Edison Schools Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.edisonschools.com
CONTACT:
Adam Tucker, VP Communications, Edison
Schools Inc., +1-212-419-1602
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