What is a charter school?

Charter schools, sometimes referred to as Community Schools, are:

• Public schools that are typically separate and distinct from the local city public school district.
• Free – they do not charge tuition.
• Open to all students who meet age and other enrollment parameters.
• Required to administer and report the results of accountability measures required by their sponsor to the state.
• Subject to local and state health and safety codes.

Charter schools are independent public schools made possible by various state laws. A charter is a written agreement empowering local and intermediate school districts, the State Department of Education, and other authorized sponsors to sign charters empowering schools. These contracts govern areas such as educational goals, curriculum standards, assessment measures, governance, and financing.

It is common to see teams of education professionals, parents, and often community or business leaders create the schools. They have flexibility in shaping the school, its curriculum, instruction, staffing, budget, internal organization, and much more, drawing ideas from experts worldwide and years of research. A defining aspect of charter schools is the fact that they are attended by students whose families choose them and staffed by educators who choose to work in them. The public authority that authorizes them can close the schools if they fail to produce satisfactory results.

What curriculum will you use?

Our curriculum is based on the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Ohio’s Academic Content Standards provide a set of clear and rigorous expectations for all students and provides teachers with clearly defined statements of what students should know and be able to do as they progress through school. This alignment helps ensure students learn the skills they need to perform well on the Ohio Achievement Tests.

Do all HOPE Academies students have access to a computer?

Absolutely. We set goals for computer time for each of our students. In each HOPE Academy classroom, there are approximately six PCs running custom-designed curriculum software augmenting traditional teaching methods. Most HOPE Academies also have a computer lab equipped with 30 PCs. Every computer in every school is connected to the Internet via a school-based, high-speed T-1 line, giving each student access to the very latest information at the click of a mouse.

Are your teachers certified?

Yes. In addition to passing a rigorous screening and interviewing process, we conduct a thorough background check. All of our teachers meet state requirements.

What grade levels do HOPE Academies serve?

HOPE Academy Lincoln Park Campus serves students in grades K-6, ages 5 through 13.

HOPE Academies Broadway Campus, Brown Street Campus, Canton Campus, Cathedral Campus, Chapelside Campus, East Campus, Northcoast Campus, Northwest Campus, and West Campus serve students in grades K-8, ages 5 through 15.

Riverside Academy serves students in grades K-8, ages 5 through 17.

When does the HOPE Academy school year start and end?

Aligned with a traditional school year schedule, students attend from late August until early June, with traditional breaks and vacations throughout the school year.

What are the hours of operation at your Academies?

School hours vary by location. However, before-school and after-school care is available to parents for an additional charge. Please call us toll-free at 888.295.HOPE for complete information on before-school and after-school care availability.

Where are HOPE Academies located?

Please see our locations page for complete information on school hours, addresses, and phone numbers.

How do you address discipline problems?

Each of our school locations has a set of written standards and policies defining student conduct and school discipline based on mutual respect of the student and school staff. These policies create a positive, proactive, and organized approach to classroom management. These policies and standards are designed to address student behavior, with the goal of reducing referrals and keeping students in the classroom. Student misbehavior is used to provide a valuable teaching opportunity, emphasizing skills for success.

All of our standards and policies comply with local and state laws and requirements. Students are treated with dignity and respect by motivating and encouraging responsibility through positive interactions. Our student discipline approach promotes staff collaboration and unity in order to meet students' needs. Our CHAMPS program (Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, and Success) addresses teacher expectations for students as they relate to any classroom activity or transition.

Is transportation provided to and from school?

Yes. Ohio state law mandates that the public schools must provide student transportation to and from our schools, if eligible, unless certain unusual circumstances apply where the local public school district may offer payment to the parent in lieu of transportation.

How do HOPE Academies serve students with special needs?

All of our schools provide a free and appropriate education for every student. Our special education program operates in accordance with the state Model Policies and Procedures for the Education of Children with Disabilities. Children who have been identified as having special needs are serviced through an inclusionary model that includes the use of Intervention Specialists, general education teachers and related service providers.

Limited English-proficient students are serviced through plans designed with the collaboration of the Lau Resource Center, regional State Support Teams, the family, building staff, and, when appropriate, an English second-language teacher and such other resources as are required by state and federal law.

Are HOPE Academy students required to wear uniforms?

Yes. HOPE Academies students are required to wear navy blue or black pants or skirts, and white or light blue button-down or polo-style shirts.

How much is tuition?

HOPE Academies are fully funded through the State of Ohio Department of Education. Therefore, students pay no tuition to attend. However, there is an annual $10 activity fee. The activity fee will be applied directly to your child's use for field trips and other extracurricular activities.

How do I apply for employment with HOPE Academies?

You can visit our HOPE Academies Careers Page to submit your resume. You can also mail your resume to HOPE Academy Human Resources, 159 South Main Street, Suite 600, Akron, Ohio 44308.

How to Enroll

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