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Board reviews East Lake and Community Prep charter renewal presentations; both described as serving high-risk students
Summary
District 11 staff and the two charter principals presented renewal applications and site-visit summaries for East Lake High School and Community Prep School. Both schools emphasized individualized instruction for older or credit-deficient students and outlined strategies to raise graduation and engagement rates.
District staff presented nonaction charter renewal materials for East Lake High School and Community Prep School on Jan. 8, and principals from each school described programs they said are tailored to older or credit-deficient students.
East Lake principal Miss Berry told the board East Lake serves students ages 14 to 21 across El Paso County, operates an AM program for students under 18 and a PM program for students 18 and older, and offers three graduation tracks (college, military, vocational) aimed at accelerating credit-deficient students toward diplomas or postsecondary pathways. Berry said East Lake's model includes social-emotional learning, soft-skills instruction and individualized plans; she asked for a multi-year renewal and described the school's 20-year history in the community.
During public comment, multiple current and former East Lake students, families and board members spoke in favor of renewal and described the school as a place where students who struggled in larger comprehensive high schools can earn diplomas and re-engage in learning. The board's charter liaison and district site visitors reported a multi-hour site visit and provided an executive summary of that review.
Community Prep principal Mr. Silanky (presenter) described Community Prep as the district's first charter (founded 1995), with a mission of reengaging students who have left traditional programs. He said the school averages roughly 160 enrolled students (funded count ~139 this year), serves many students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and emphasizes internships, outdoor education and hands-on career pathways. Silanky said Community Prep is moving to a "big picture learning" model that centers student interests, internships and project-based competency demonstrations as part of a multiyear plan to raise graduation rates.
District staff noted both schools are fiscally solvent at current enrollment levels and that both would return as action items on a future agenda for board voting after technical review and public comment periods. Board members asked about enrollment, program metrics, family engagement and governance documents; both principals said they will provide additional documentation (board minutes, signature pages, and governance updates) prior to formal action.
Why it matters: Both schools serve students classified as at-risk or credit-deficient; the board must weigh program need, student outcomes and fiscal viability when deciding renewals.
