Presentation by Kelly Powell from Arizona Charter School Association regarding enrollment and performance trends in charter, district, and private schools in Arizona.

Discussion highlighted impact of ESA's projected to be similar to current impact, not expected to grow a great deal

Similarly, total number of charters has been pretty flat in recent history with only bout 10-15 opening/closing each year 

Certain communities do have greater need for charter high schools due to existing K-8's with no high school 

Question: What are the EL populations at neighboring district schools and charter schools?

Question: What is our student retention rate of students starting at Empower in 3rd grade and staying all the way through high school?

ED presented and Board discussed organizational history of enrollment, academic performance, and financial performance. 

Growing EL population, surpassing 50% this year, drew significant attention and consensus reached to explore strategies around this. Responses to consider include marketing responses, policy responses (i.e. promotion and graduation requirements), and instructional approaches. 

Consistent growth, attaining over 80% of available points from SGP metric, was celebrated and encouraged to be part of marketing materials.

Strong financial performance recognized.

In the past 3 years, organization has:

-navigated COVID, 

-grown enrollment above bond projections (1085 vs. 1055) despite  declining enrollment in AZ and increased competition (PUHSD magnet schools, ESA's, etc.), 

-maintained strong K-12 academic performance in learning growth, graduation rate, university acceptance, college-going rate, and degree/cert completion rate for first graduating class

-maintained strong staff stability (80%+ each year),

-opened a preschool, 

-started a bus company, 

-tested replication markets and strategies, and 

-codified curriculum and practices through establishing playbooks and Learning Management System.

Question: Why should we replicate?

Primary reason stated was demand / need for schools facilitating children from low-income communities to go to and succeed in college

Also ability, as evident by academic outcomes (listed above)

Stable staff

Financial stability (including growing enrollment before taking on debt)

Establishing systems (curriculum and LMS, now playbooks also)

Question: What are the best methodologies to replicate/expand?

Various models and markets mentioned, including various starting points and consdieration of hub spoke model or sites sharing facilities. 

Also discussed leveraging SGP in marketing material.

Priorities were shared to do so in a way that:

1) Replicated leaders

2) Grew Board

3) Deepened community impact

4) Minimized disruption to existing operations

Parameters for next school included 

1) Maricopa County

2) Includes high school (maybe K-12, maybe 6-12, maybe 9-12, etc.)

3) Serves low-income community

4) Is values and mission-aligned

5) Serves an adequte number of students to be financially viable while considering cultural and academic requirements for success in Year 1

Board asked ED to provide timeline, selection process for school leaders, outline for central replicaiton team, and financial model (including marketing, facility, incubating staff, etc.) and offered more frequent meetings to support in replication process.