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College Prep Middle presents charter renewal; CCSA explains local authorization shift
Summary
College Prep Middle School presented its charter renewal petition and achievement data to the La Mesa‑Spring Valley board, citing 400 students and state performance recognitions. A CCSA representative explained Assembly Bill 1505’s return of certain authorizing powers to local districts and the potential appeal pathway to the state.
College Prep Middle School co‑directors presented their charter renewal petition to the La Mesa‑Spring Valley Unified School District board on Nov. 5, outlining the school’s academic program, student supports and community partnerships.
Christina Callaway (identified herself as a founder with 30 years in education) and Mitch Miller (school psychologist and director of school operations) described College Prep’s program: grades 5–8 with roughly 100 students per grade and about 400 students total; a 50‑minute bell schedule for grades 6–8; small class sizes and an emphasis on college readiness and literacy. Callaway said the school has been designated by the California Department of Education as a high‑performing charter and highlighted growth in dashboard indicators and subgroup performance on state assessments.
Miller described programmatic supports including after‑school tutorials, counseling, two full‑time school counselors, parent‑school partnerships, elective rotations and partnerships with community agencies. The school’s presenters said College Prep had a positive fund balance, a clean audit history and strong retention (97–98%), and they summarized facilities and financing steps the school took — including converting an adjustable‑rate mortgage to more fixed terms and installing solar panels to reduce utility costs.
Arthur Congo of the California Charter Schools Association spoke during public comment to explain the legal context for the renewal. Congo referenced ‘‘assembly bill 15 o 5’’ (AB 1505), saying it restructured charter authorizing and returned more control to local districts, with the State Board of Education serving a narrower appellate role in limited circumstances. He told the board College Prep had been authorized by the State Board and is now appearing for renewal before the local district under the law’s framework.
Board members did not take a final renewal vote at the Nov. 5 meeting; the presentation and public comment provided background and data for the district’s upcoming renewal deliberation.
