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Hardy Brown College Prep seeks five-year renewal; school and community speakers outline strong outcomes
Summary
At a public hearing, Hardy Brown College Prep's founder, leadership team and many parents and students urged the San Bernardino school board to support a five-year charter renewal, citing high growth metrics, a focus on college readiness and programs such as AVID and robotics integrated with Apple'supported coding.
The San Bernardino City Unified School District held a public hearing on a five-year renewal petition for Hardy Brown College Prep submitted Jan. 29. Ernestine Hopwood (district staff) told the board staff findings will be posted April 6 and the final board vote is scheduled for April 21; there is no vote at the hearing.
Dr. Margaret Fortune, founder of Hardy Brown College Prep, introduced her leadership team and described the school as a TK'8 school with 316 scholars and an independent preschool. "This is a high performing school," Fortune said, noting recognition from U.S. News & World Report in consecutive years and that the school serves a high proportion of socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Dr. Dominic Zarecki presented demographic and achievement data, saying the school serves approximately 90% socioeconomically disadvantaged students, about 65% Black and 25% Latino students, with results labeled "well above expectations" in ELA and math on state-like growth measures.
Principal Raffi Bell and other leaders described the school's five pillars: high expectations, choice and commitment, more time, focus on results, and citizenship. Bell outlined curriculum and extended instructional time, and the team highlighted AVID, robotics and an Apple community education partnership that brings coding and app-prototyping into middle-school science classes.
Ten members of the school community gave public comments in support of renewal, including founding board member Joette Spencer Campbell, parents and multiple students who described academic growth, extracurriculars and community ties. One speaker read a message from Hardy Brown namesake Hardy Brown, who could not attend because of ALS, and emphasized the school's positive community impact. Students highlighted leadership opportunities, honor-roll achievements and participation in NAACP junior youth council and band.
Board members asked questions about transition to district high schools and student leadership pathways; principal Raffi Bell and the school team said many graduates enroll in district high schools and participate in college-readiness programs. The public hearing closed after board questions and community testimony; the district reminded the public that staff findings will be posted April 6 and a final vote will occur April 21.
