Charter school must improve to continue operating, board says

by Kate Royals – MS Today

Despite pleas from school officials and a parent for a full five-year contract renewal, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board extended Joel E. Smilow Prep Charter School’s contract for four years with conditions.

While the school performed well in the areas of academics and finances, it fell short in organizational performance, specifically in its stated mission of ensuring “the development of personal discipline and character” of its students.

Charter schools in Mississippi must meet certain goals to continue to operate and are considered for renewal every five years, according to state law.

The school, which opened in August of 2016, enrolls 600 5th through 8th graders. It raised its accountability rating from a “D” to a “C” in 2018-2019, when it achieved the second-highest performing and growing school when compared to similar schools in Jackson Public Schools, according to its application for renewal.

It then kept the same grade in 2019-2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The school’s vision is to ensure every child has access to high-quality schools “with a dual focus on solid academic preparation and the development of personal discipline and character,” according to the board’s renewal recommendation.

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