Kudos to University High School!

Charter schools--public supported K-12 schools that operate independently from traditional K-12 schools within a school district--have existed since the 1970's. It has only been since the Clinton presidency, however, that they have expanded to the point where they are readily recognized for their success or failure. The risk of failure for charter schools is relatively high since their funding level is less than traditional public schools, they are experimental by definition, and the students (and their parents!) are making a conscious effort to benefit from a different kind of education.

University High School is a prime example of an outstanding charter school. Sponsored by the Fresno Unified School District, the accelerated college preparatory school opened nine years ago on the campus of California State University, Fresno. The students are challenged by an academically rigorous program that also requires participation in playing a musical instrument or related musical involvement.

As a judge of the annual Fresno County High School Academic Decathlon, I have had the opportunity to witness their outstanding school spirit and academic achievement. The relatively small 425 student school each year outscores most of the county's much larger high schools!

I was pleased to learn that the school's dream of having a campus of their own is soon to be a reality. They will be able in late 2010 to move out of their portable buildings into a new $16 million dollar facility. Ground breaking is scheduled for October.

I am so proud of the visionary educators, students, parents and community leaders that have used the charter school tool to turn a dream into a reality.

As an teacher education instructor at Fresno City College, I always use University High as a charter school success story. I look forward to taking my FCC students on a field trip to their soon-to-be gleaming new campus.

Go University High!

Coming Soon. . .

1) Do kids ride bikes anymore?
2) Fresno's choices on high speed rail and rail consolidation.
3) What's with this "Clunker" deal?

Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail me at abriancalhoun@gmail.com.