CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two West Virginia public charter schools will receive sub-grants through the Professional Charter Schools Board.
The money is going to the Morgantown-based West Virginia Academy and the Clarksburg Classical Academy.
The PCSB was awarded $12.2 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Education through the Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools program.
PCSB Executive Director James Paul reviewed details of the West Virginia Academy application for $1.59 million over three years to expand the school.
“WVA was viewed as “more fundable” than its competitor, which was the WIN Academy,” Paul said. “In my opinion, the West Virginia Academy is more likely to expand educational opportunities in the state.”
WVA started as the first charter school in the state about four years ago and last year it was a semifinalist for the Pulitzer Prize of Education, the Yass Prize. The school has about 300 students, operates from its facility on Chestnut Ridge Road and has plans for a Falling Water Campus and a Cultural Arts Center.
“They have previously served K through 10th grade,” Professional Charter School Board Assistant Director Dusty Hurley said. “In 2024, this fall they’ll be adding 11th grade, and in 2025 they’ll add 12th grade, and each year they plan to increase enrollment by 20 percent of their seats.”
Hurley said the WVA plans to expand their infrastructure and learning capabilities and continue to grow the student body.
“Improving academic achievement, data-driven instruction, and supporting expansion through facility upgrades,” Hurley said. “Including the arts, athletic upgrades, additions to the playground, classroom supplies, and supporting their transportation needs.”
The Clarksburg Classical Academy was awarded $905,000 over three years and is expected to open in the fall of 2025. Paul told the board that efforts to enroll students have been slow, and if the forecast total is not met, CCA will have to submit a revised budget corresponding to the new enrollment total.
“I’m very confident the school is going to open. I’m very confident the management company has invested in it and sees it as a success and I don’t have any concerns about it starting successfully, even with a lower enrollment.” Paul said.
The CCA will be managed by Accel Schools, which manages 77 charter schools and 15 online schools, primarily in Ohio. Accel Schools will provide the teachers, and the controlling board of local residents will set and manage the course of the institution.
“A rigorous classical education this fall,” Hurley said. “In their first year, they will serve K through 5th grade and plan to serve K through 7th grade by the end of the grant period.”
The applications are reviewed by a peer panel of three, and approval is based on evaluations in 12 areas: ambitiousness, innovation, academic programming, educational philosophies and curriculum, financial need, staff quality, leadership, governance, risk demand, universal access, and facilities.