Published: June 02, 2009 11:43 pm      

EDUCATION: Chartering a new course

Her first day as principal at Niagara Charter School, Karen Marchioli envisioned leading a utopia of education and academic achievement.

Almost four years later, she admits to being a little naive, but she’s never given up hope.

“I know I can count on our students and staff to work hard and do their best every day and I think that’s amazing,” Marchioli said. “We have 336 students who three years ago were told they were failing, and they are now succeeding. It’s not just about test scores, it’s the whole feel of the place.”

Though being the county’s first charter school came with its share of growing pains, Niagara Charter has boasted yearly increases in both academics and student enrollment since opening in 2006. It has expanded to offer kindergarten through sixth grade and will graduate its first official class later this month.

For Marchioli, it will be a bitter sweet moment.

“It’s tough to see them go because they’ve transformed into a nice group of young adults,” she said about the 36 graduates, most of whom have been with the school its entire three years of existence. “They’re going to move on (to middle school) and do well. I’m not worried about them.”

Meanwhile, Niagara Charter School is facing a crossroads of its own. Officials have begun the required process for charter renewal and are hoping to be awarded the maximum five-year extension by the State Education Department after their current license ends next school year. Marchioli said the lengthy application is due to the state by the end of June and should take close to a year to be ruled upon.

“I think we’re going to do really well on it,” she said. “Our test scores have gone up, our parent satisfaction ... has always been 90 percent

and we continue to have a strong waiting list of students to attend our school.”

Data that definitely will be included in the renewal application is the school’s progress on state English language arts and math exams. This year, 80 percent of third-graders and 73 percent of fourth-graders passed the ELA, compared to 30 percent and 29 percent respectively in the school’s first academic year in 2006-07. The 88 percent passing rate among fifth-graders nearly doubled from last year and sixth-graders posted a 77 percent passing rate in the first year the test was given at the school.

And the math scores were even better. All of the school’s third-graders passed the state test this year, compared to 67 percent in 2006-07. The passing rate went from 32 percent to 91 percent on the fourth-grade test over the past three years and the fifth- and sixth-grade tests each had a 92 percent passing rate this year.

Specifically, the graduating class of 2009 increased from a 29 percent passing rate to 77 percent on the ELA and from 32 percent to 92 percent on the math test over their three years at the school.

Marchioli said she couldn’t help but cry tears of joy when seeing this year’s ELA results. When the math scores were released earlier this week, she was speechless.

“I’ve never seen jumps like that, it’s a beautiful thing,” she said about the passing rates. “The kids and teachers have worked so hard for this.”

Students will be showing off their work and achievements during the school’s expedition night from 6 to 8 p.m. June 10. The kindergarten class will have a moving up ceremony June 19 and sixth-graders will graduate June 22.

Melvin P. Smith will be in attendance to see his 12-year-old son, Jaylan graduate. Jaylan transferred from 60th Street Elementary School to Niagara Charter in its first year of operation because his father didn’t think he was being challenged enough in the classroom. Since then, he’s become one of Niagara Charter’s top students academically, posting an average in the high 90s, and has received numerous rewards and recognition.

“I’m very proud of him, he’s become very well-rounded thanks to this school,” Smith said. “I like the structure here. They hold a higher standard for all their kids and not just one kid.”

Smith added Niagara Charter’s smaller enrollment compared to most public elementary schools fosters a family atmosphere and nurturing environment. For example, he praised parent liaison, the Rev. Jesse Scott, for driving his son to basketball practice and other school events while he was on military leave a few years ago. He also credited all of his son’s teachers who helped him along the way.

Niagara Charter is located in the Niagara-Wheatfield School District but draws most of its enrollment from Niagara Falls. The school’s academic days are longer and the year is 200 days, compared to 182 at traditional public schools, giving students more time on task.

Parent Elanda Harris has seen first-hand what a difference that can make. All three of her children — sixth-grader Brakia, fifth-grader Breon and second-grader Josiah — are all on the honor roll at Niagara Charter School. She also has two grandchildren enrolled, fourth-grader Jhamir and kindergartner Messiah.

“I try to teach them that failure is not an option, and this school has taught them to thrive for excellence,” said Harris, adding she’s confident Niagara Charter has prepared her daughter, Brakia, to enter middle school next year. “With the confidence and character that’s been built into her, I believe she can go anywhere and succeed.”

Contact reporter Rick Forgione

at 282-2311, ext. 2257.