Board approves three charter renewals, denies Grace Hopper renewal after staff findings and a large public response

The Inglewood Unified School District board on June 24 approved charter renewal petitions for Wilders Preparatory Academy (both TK–5 and the Middle School, five‑year terms) and Latihara K–8, and denied the renewal petition for Grace Hopper STEM Academy after staff presented written findings.

District counsel Suanne Evans summarized staff evaluations for several petitions. For Wilders (TK–5 and middle), staff concluded the schools were high‑performing on California Dashboard indicators and recommended five‑year renewals. Wilders representatives thanked district staff and accepted the recommendation.

For Latihara (a dependent charter), staff recommended approval for a five‑year renewal; principal Robbie Tate thanked the board and said the school will "continue to strive and thrive."

The meeting grew most contentious during the Grace Hopper presentation. District staff presented a multi‑page analysis citing shortcomings in verified academic data, governance documentation, staffing credentials and program descriptions; a key point in the staff report was that Grace Hopper’s percentage of clear credentialed teachers was substantially below district and state averages (staff cited a 21.5% clear credential figure in the report). Counsel told the board that staff determined Grace Hopper had failed to meet or make sufficient progress toward state and local standards and recommended the denial of renewal. "These findings were made by the district with greater weight given to academic performance," staff said.

Grace Hopper leaders, parents, alumni, teachers and community partners strongly disputed the recommendation during both the school’s response and the public comment period. Principal Brad Shaw and Executive Director Marggo Harris said the school serves a small, high‑needs population — including foster youth, students experiencing homelessness and others — and pointed to student growth data, college admissions and alumni success as evidence of the school’s impact. Multiple public speakers gave first‑hand accounts of academic gains, college matriculation, and the school’s wraparound services. "Closure is not in the best interest of our students and families," Grace Hopper representatives said, requesting more time to provide documentation or to meet with district staff.

Despite the extensive public testimony, the board voted to deny Grace Hopper’s petition and adopted the staff report and written findings as the basis for the denial. The transcript records the action as "denial" and adoption of the written findings; a specific roll‑call tally was not included in the publicly posted transcript excerpt.

Board members expressed mixed emotions after the vote. Several trustees praised community speakers and acknowledged the positive student outcomes described during public comment, while also noting the board’s obligation to rely on verified documentation when making renewal decisions. The staff report notes many Grace Hopper students do not reside in the district, a factor staff said informed parts of the enrollment and fiscal analysis.