Maryland Charter Schools Celebrate National Charter School Week May 3-8, 2009

Baltimore, MD, April 23, 2009 --(PR.com)-- It has been more than 4 years since the first charter schools opened their doors in Maryland. Charter schools, their successes, and their contributions to children, families and communities will be celebrated this year during National Charter School Week from May 3-May 8, 2009. Some basic facts:

· 34 charter schools serve 9,500 charter school students in seven counties in Maryland.

· Nearly three quarters of Maryland’s charter schools reported having waiting lists for enrollment, totaling nearly 2,500 students.

· Charter schools are enrolling a diverse student population according to race, gender, and eligibility for free or reduced priced meals, special education, and English language learner services3

· Charter schools are seeing solid academic growth, with double-digit average increases in reading and math scores on the Maryland State Assessments.

· Charter schools are public schools that are responsive to students’ needs and are held accountable for improved student achievement.

Over 1.3 million children attend almost 4,600 public charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia, including 34 in Maryland. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are open to all students. Educators, community leaders, business people, and parents who start charters select the curriculum, philosophies and emphases of the schools, such as a math and science STEM, hands-on learning, or college prep approach.

MCSN is a non-partisan, nonprofit, statewide organization whose mission is to promote and serve the Maryland charter school movement. For more information about the Maryland Charter School Network, please call 800-689-3795 or visit www.mdcharternetwork.org .

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