SBOE gives final approval to four new charter schools

The State Board of Education today endorsed recommendations by the commissioner of education to authorize four new charter school operators.

Subject to clearing contractual contingencies, the following applicants will open new charter schools in the 2020-2021 school year:

·   The Gathering Place serving kindergarten through eighth grade in San Antonio;

·     Elevate Collegiate Charter School serving early childhood through grade five in Houston;

·     Houston Classical Charter School serving kindergarten through grade eight in the Houston-Alief area; and

·     San Antonio Preparatory Charter School serving grades five through 12 in the San Antonio-Judson area.

The board vetoed the granting of a charter to Royal Public Schools, which had hoped to open campuses in the Austin and Houston-Alief areas.

Thirty-three entities submitted applications for charter schools this year. Through a rigorous review and evaluation process, eight advanced to the interview phase.

With the addition of these four charters, Texas will have 181 active charter holders.