State Approves Charter High School in Inglewood

Overruling the local school district, the state Board of Education on Wednesday approved a proposal by an education activist to start an academically rigorous charter high school in Inglewood.

The state board’s 9-1 vote gave the green light to Steve Barr and his Green Dot Public Schools, founder of a pioneering high school that serves nearby Lennox.

Barr wanted to repeat that success in Inglewood. But Inglewood Unified School District board members rejected his application earlier this year, saying they wanted to try their own reforms. So Barr turned to the state board, which also can grant charters.

“I’m thrilled. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and provide a first-class high school for Inglewood,” Barr said after the state board vote. He added that he planned to call the Inglewood superintendent today and seek to work with the district in fashioning the new school.

Charter schools are public institutions funded with tax dollars that are freed from most state regulations and allowed to operate independently of a school district. They are expected to tailor programs to succeed with students in ways that traditionally governed schools have not.

More than 300 charter schools operate in California, the vast majority approved by their local districts; only a few have obtained their charters from the state.

Inglewood Supt. James Harris was not available for comment.

Students Thrive at Animo High

Barr went to Sacramento armed with evidence that Lennox students at Animo Leadership High School, now in its second year, have thrived. For example, Animo students did far better on the state’s new high school exit exam than their counterparts in the Centinela Valley Union High School District, where most would have been otherwise assigned.

Fifty-four percent of Animo’s freshmen passed the math portion of the exam--which students must pass before getting a diploma--and 74% passed the English language arts portion. In the Centinela district, just 20% passed the math and 42% the language arts part.

Animo students, the majority of whom are from Spanish-speaking immigrant families, also surpassed state and Los Angeles County passing rates, while Inglewood students scored substantially lower.

Barr said he soon will begin a search for a principal and a location and plans to open the Inglewood school in August with a freshman class of 100 or more.

The new campus will be modeled in large part on Animo, which has a rigorous curriculum based on University of California entrance requirements and is in session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students are chosen by lottery, and parents must promise to volunteer time to help the school. Bus transportation and laptop computers are provided for each student.

Board member Susan Hammer cast the lone dissenting vote.