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New Hampshire awarded $46 million federal grant to ‘expand’ charter schools

By Casey Junkins - City Editor | Aug 23, 2019

NASHUA – The Academy for Science and Design, as well as the MicroSociety Academy Charter School, in Nashua are just two of the 28 public charter schools already operating in New Hampshire – and state officials said a $46 million federal grant should help them “increase, expand, or replicate” that number.

“New Hampshire charter schools have not only provided excellent educations for Granite State students, but provided a model for innovation and education improvement for the nation,” New Hampshire Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said Thursday in announcing the federal grant.

“Every kid deserves an educational environment in which they can thrive. Charter schools provide a valuable alternative for students who need one,” he added.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools defines the facilities as “independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs.”

The $46 million was awarded by the federal Department of Education’s Charter School Program. Information provided by officials on Thursday states the funding will “support efforts to increase, expand, or replicate the number of high-quality charter schools in New Hampshire, focusing on at-risk, educationally disadvantaged students.”

“I want to commend the New Hampshire Department of Education for securing this funding,” Gov. Chris Sununu said. “The department highlighted the success New Hampshire has achieved through the growth of charter schools, and put together a plan to build on that success for the benefit of at-risk students. These funds will help us improve education in the Granite State – a win for our kids.”

Officials also said the $6 million will fund professional development for charter school staff and board members, as well as disseminate best practices to public schools across New Hampshire.

Caitlin Davis is director of the New Hampshire DOE’s Division of Education Analytics and Resources.

“The governor and Legislature have supported growth of charter schools by adding funding in the state budget over the past several years for schools, and creating the state’s first full-time general fund charter school position in the Department of Education in 2018,” Davis said. “We are now able to provide support and oversight for charter schools and help make public charter schools an increasingly valuable part of New Hampshire overall educational system.”

According to state officials, the 28 existing New Hampshire public charter schools include: Academy for Science and Design in Nashua; MicroSociety Academy Charter School in Nashua; Gate City Charter School for the Arts in Merrimack; Capital City Public Charter School in Concord; Cocheco Academy of The Arts in Dover; Compass Classical Academy in Franklin; CSI Charter School in Penacook; Granite State Arts Academy in Salem; Great Bay Charter School in Exeter; Kreiva Academy Public Charter School in Manchester; LEAF Charter School in Alstead; Ledyard Charter School in Lebanon; Making Community Connections in Manchester; Making Community Connections – Monadnock in Keene; Mill Falls Charter School in Manchester; Mountain Village Charter School in Plymouth; Next Charter School in Derry; North Country Charter Academy in Littleton and Lancaster; PACE Career Academy in Allenstown; Polaris Charter School in Manchester; Robert Frost Charter School in Conway; Seacoast Charter School in Dover; Strong Foundations in Pembroke; Surry Village Charter School in Surry; The Birches Academy in Salem; The Founders Academy in Manchester; the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School in Exeter; and Windham Academy Public Charter School in Windham.

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