Home > News > Press Release
THREE HOPE ACADEMIES AND RIVERSIDE ACADEMY RECEIVE CHARTER RENEWALS AFTER EXHAUSTIVE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL EVALUATIONS
State Department of Education authorizes renewals of charters of HOPE and Riverside Academies in Akron, Cincinnati, and Cleveland after thorough evaluation of academics, governance, and finances.
Columbus, Ohio -- January 15, 2004 -- The Ohio Board of Education this week approved charter renewals for three HOPE Academy locations in Canton and Cleveland, as well as for Riverside Academy in Cincinnati. The approvals follow comprehensive onsite evaluations undertaken by the state for community-based charter public schools' academic programs, governance, and finances. Considered and approved for renewal were Hope Academy Canton, Hope Academy Lincoln Park, Hope Academy East, and Riverside Academy.
"This very significant action by the State
Board of Education once again reaffirms that HOPE Academies and
Riverside Academy are delivering on their promise to provide
high-quality alternative educational options for urban students in a
safe, clean, positive, caring environment built on respect," said Mark
Thimmig, CEO and president of White Hat Ventures LLC, parent company of
Akron-based White Hat Management, LLC, the privately operated education
management company engaged to operate the HOPE Academies and Riverside
Academy. "With this latest action on the part of the State Board of
Education, these neighborhood community schools will remain an
educational option that can and do work. These renewals are a victory
for choice, and, equally important, a victory for families."
Renewals authorized today by the state Department of Education were the
charters of:
HOPE Academy Canton, which serves students in kindergarten
through grade eight at 1379 Garfield Ave., Canton; approved for renewal
by a 13-4 vote.
HOPE Academy East, 15720 Kipling Ave., Cleveland, which educates
children in kindergarten through eighth grade; approved for renewal by
an 11-6 vote.
HOPE Academy Lincoln Park, located at 2421 W. 11th St.,
Cleveland, with students in kindergarten through sixth grade; approved
for renewal by an 11-6 vote.
Riverside Academy, 3280 River Road, Cincinnati, where students
attend kindergarten through the eighth grade; approved for renewal by a
13-4 vote.
The charter school evaluation process used to assess the aforementioned
academies provides comprehensive accountability measurements for each of
these schools. Under state law, community-based charter public schools
undergo educational and financial audits twice a year. Every five years,
they also go through more extensive evaluations by the Ohio Department
of Education's Office of Community Schools.
The onsite evaluation process involved two
days of intensive interviews by the Ohio Department of Education with
HOPE Academy and Riverside Academy staff, parents, students, and board
members. During the onsite evaluation, the ODE observed classes,
reviewed the daily operation of the Academies, and reviewed hundreds of
documents. Concurrently, a separate ODE team completed an intensive data
analysis of HOPE Academies' and Riverside Academy's educational plan,
financial plan, governance and administrative plan, and academic
assessment and accountability plan.
"We are very pleased by the results of the evaluations," said Thimmig.
"HOPE Academies and Riverside Academy principals, teachers, and staff
are serving our students well, through programs and services designed
for the specialized needs of our students. I couldn't be prouder."
There are now 10 HOPE Academies statewide, as well as Riverside Academy
in Cincinnati, together serving nearly 4,000 students. In addition to
the four whose renewals were authorized today, there are five others in
Cleveland, and two others in Akron. Each is a tuition-free public school
that offers a high-quality alternative to traditional public schools.
The environment and curriculum are specifically designed to help
students, and their parents, overcome obstacles so that the students can
reach their academic potential. The curriculum emphasizes reading and
math, while also providing a focus on helping each child master the
fundamentals of writing, science, social studies, citizenship, health,
music, art and physical education.
"To have all four of the HOPE and Riverside Academies evaluated pass
with such convincing majority votes is an outstanding achievement," said
Thimmig. "Such results demonstrate the value of having the support of an
experienced and dedicated education management organization such as
White Hat Management working in concert with locally-committed,
non-profit board members, as well as with the families, principals,
teachers, and staff of the schools. With the approvals granted today, we
have maintained our record of 100% charter renewals to date."
HOPE and Riverside Academies feature computers in every classroom, a
computer lab and a full-time technology instructor. School uniforms are
part of the mandatory dress code. Each school is staffed with an
administrator, other administrative staff, supervisors, instructional
aides, a full-time nurse, a full-time family advocate, and a techno-ed
teacher. Extracurricular activities are available.
Charter schools such as the HOPE and Riverside Academies are independent
public schools made possible by a 1997 Ohio law. Like all other schools
in Ohio, charter schools are required to administer Ohio Proficiency
tests, and adhere to local and state health and safety codes. The
schools are typically separate and distinct from the local city boards
of education.
Charter schools are becoming increasingly popular nationwide because
education professionals, parents, and community or business leaders have
flexibility in shaping the school, its curriculum, instruction,
staffing, budget and internal organization. For parents who do not wish
to or cannot financially afford to send their children to private
school, or are presently dissatisfied with their local public school,
charter schools may be a better option than relocating to a new
community with better performing schools. A defining aspect of charter
schools is that they are attended by students whose families choose them
and are staffed by educators who choose to work in them specifically.
About the Academies
HOPE Academies are charter schools that serve school children in
kindergarten through eighth grade. HOPE Academies are committed to
helping parents and children overcome obstacles so the students can
reach their academic potential. HOPE Academies approach this goal by
providing a high-quality school of choice with curriculum and programs
specifically designed for their student population. HOPE Academies are
alternative community schools. When children come to a HOPE Academy,
they find a safe, clean, positive, caring environment built on respect.
No matter where a child begins, HOPE Academies do everything possible to
raise his or her level of academic proficiency, by helping each child
master the fundamentals of reading, writing and mathematics. At HOPE
Academies, there is hope for every child.
About White Hat Management
Akron-based White Hat Management, LLC, is Ohio's largest operator of
charter schools and ranks among the premier full-service Education
Service Providers (ESPs) in the United States dedicated to educating
K-12 students. The company, which was founded in 1998 by Akron, Ohio
industrialist and education activist David Brennan, operates three types
of schools: urban K-8 Academies, a High Tech High School, Life Skills
Centers for at-risk and drop out students ages 16-22; and OHDELA
Academy, which provides educational resources and support to parents who
educate their children at home. White Hat Management, on behalf of the
non-profit boards it serves, currently operates 32 schools, which employ
over 1,300 people, educating and supporting nearly 15,000 students.
For more information, visit www.whitehatmgmt.com