Mystery of James Island's Apple Charter School's Demise

The Charleston County School Board put the final nail in the coffin of Apple Charter School on James Island this week. Due to financial problems, missed educational goals, and low enrollment, the School's board of directors agreed to close the school this month. Only about 70 students are presently enrolled.

Don't you wonder what happened? Surely the local paper must be curious. Why so few students? Why so much debt? The organizers had hoped to assist those who were not doing well in the other public schools.

Maybe if we had some sense of what went wrong, such upheaval could be prevented in the future, but, let's face it, the Post and Courier has no interest.

Too busy cheerleading for the district.

Apple Charter's Uphill Battle with Charleston County School District

A reminder of Apple Charter's beginnings is in order, now that the Charleston County School Board is trying to pull the plug on the James Island school: CCSD never wanted it in the first place. It doesn't fit into CCSD's one-size-fits-all philosophy.

       Wednesday, November 18, 2009

     End Run Around CCSD Board to Score

When Apple Charter School becomes a success, it will be despite the ill wishes of the Charleston County School Board and put one more nail in the coffin of the present administration of 75 Calhoun. [See Shiny Apple in Wednesday's P&C.]

Patricia Williams's drive to create a special place for those left behind (educationally, not physically) in CCSD schools shows how far individuals can go in defeating a system holding back the progress of the county's neediest students. This school promises to      focus on those scoring basic or below in standardized testing with plans to halt the predictable cycle          of defeat for these children not served well by the district.

 Williams wisely sought approval for the school from the state Charter School Advisory Committee              because she knew that CCSD would turn her down. She found a local church, First Baptist of              James Island, happy to assist her in her dream. If Apple Charter takes the same course as                      Charleston Development Academy and includes Core Knowledge curriculum as part of its program,            Williams and her board may show Charleston County just how remiss CCSD has been in serving this            slice of its community.

Saturday's article reminds us of CCSD's initial animosity towards Apple Charter, but it also reminds us that some children learn better in smaller schools. Imagine that. 

End Run Around CCSD Board to Score

When Apple Charter School becomes a success, it will be despite the ill wishes of the Charleston County School Board and put one more nail in the coffin of the present administration of 75 Calhoun. [See Shiny Apple in Wednesday's P&C.]

Patricia Williams's drive to create a special place for those left behind (educationally, not physically) in CCSD schools shows how far individuals can go in defeating a system holding back the progress of the county's neediest students. This school promises to focus on those scoring basic or below in standardized testing with plans to halt the predictable cycle of defeat for these children not served well by the district.

Williams wisely sought approval for the school from the state Charter School Advisory Committee because she knew that CCSD would turn her down. She found a local church, First Baptist of James Island, happy to assist her in her dream. If Apple Charter takes the same course as Charleston Development Academy and includes Core Knowledge curriculum as part of its program, Williams and her board may show Charleston County just how remiss CCSD has been in serving this slice of its community.