California Montessori Project (Capital) holds public hearing; trustees told CMP is on track for high-tier renewal

California Montessori Project (CMP) Capital Campus representatives presented to the Sacramento City Unified School District board on Oct. 16 during a public hearing on CMP’s charter-renewal petition.

CMP leaders described a Montessori instructional model with multi-age classrooms, funded teacher Montessori credentialing, classroom instructional aides in every room and an inclusion approach for students with disabilities. CMP staff said the campus enrolls a higher share of students with disabilities (about 22%) than the California average and that CMP’s CAASPP results and other measures place the site in the ‘‘high-track’’ renewal tier.

CMP said it is taking steps to improve English-learner access by changing enrollment preferences and the public-random lottery to be more reflective of the surrounding neighborhood. The campus also reported low suspension rates, recent accreditations (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and recognition for PBIS implementation.

Parent and student speakers described long-term enrollment, strong teacher relationships and extracurricular electives. CMP’s petition was submitted Sept. 25; district staff will include the most recent academic data in a staff report on or before the Nov. 5 agenda and the board is scheduled to consider renewal at the Nov. 20 meeting.

No vote was taken at the Oct. 16 hearing; CMP leaders invited trustees to visit classrooms and review updated lottery preferences.