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Three new charter school proposals filed for 2026 opening; board schedules detailed review
Summary
Three groups — East Hills (classical/core knowledge), Spruce (project‑based learning), and Gateway for Success (alternative education model) — presented applications for new charter schools targeting the 2026–27 school year; the board will hold work sessions and DAC review before final votes.
Three separate charter applications were presented to the Board of Education in introductory briefings. None of the proposals were voted on; the presentations initiate the 18‑month statutory review process and set the schedule for in‑depth district and DAC analysis.
Presenters summarized proposals and community support: East Hills (a classical school emphasizing Core Knowledge, reading mastery and free busing to increase access); Spruce Community School (a project-based learning model with daily electives and a longer school year); and Gateway for Success (an alternative program serving at‑risk secondary students with flexible scheduling and CTE/dual-enrollment pathways). Each group cited community petition signatures, letters of support and preliminary budgets. East Hills said it has a startup grant and plans for a neighborhood classical K‑8; Spruce emphasized small class sizes (cap of 18), electives and Harvard‑affiliated professional development; Gateway for Success said it would partner with a charter management organization and target students in need of alternative credit-recovery and postsecondary transition support.
The district staff and the District Accountability Committee will review each application. The board set a work session date and intends to take action on applications at a later June meeting after receiving staff and DAC reports; the earliest proposed opening date for these schools is August 2026, per state timelines.
