Fact Sheet

Since its inception, White Hat has taken a leadership role through David Brennan in positively influencing school choice legislation in Ohio and nationally, as well as in defending existing charter law from formidable union and related party litigation. In the media, we continually support school choice, defend White Hat's employees and academic performance record, and inform the public of our commitment and means to serve a disenfranchised population across Ohio and America.

White Hat Management currently operates 51 schools, which employ over 1,800 people, and is serving more than 18,000 students in the 2005-2006 school year.

• 13 HOPE Academies have been established throughout Ohio: in Akron (2 locations), Canton, Cleveland (9 locations, including HOPE High), and a Riverside Academy in Cincinnati.
• All HOPE Academies are fully accountable for and dedicated to meeting the educational standards established in Ohio for charter public schools.
• HOPE Academies also are committed to meeting federal requirements for serving students with special needs, set by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB), as well as any state and local requisites.
• All White Hat Management schools are committed to meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements and each school has an extensive plan in place to address every aspect of AYP and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability measures.
• HOPE Academies in Akron and Canton all met the AYP requirements for the 2003-2004 academic year, set by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.
• More than 4,600 students are currently enrolled statewide.
• Because of high demand, HOPE Academies have limited enrollment availability and may have waiting lists of students desiring to enter the school.
• Each school has dedicated computer teachers with immediate access to the latest technologies.
• All classrooms have computers, and all schools have computer labs including comprehensive online curriculum.
• Students have the option of applying to the HOPE Extended Learning Program, or HELP. This Web-based program provides students with remote access to their lessons any time when they will be away from a structured classroom setting, including weekends, summer break, holidays and even sick days.
• The computer to student and staff ratio is 1:3:5.
• HOPE Academies provide full-time teachers and assistants in every classroom, resulting in a student to educator ratio of 15:1 or better.
• HOPE Academies feature specially developed curriculum designed to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
• A full-time, licensed family advocate is provided in every school that forms key relationships with students, family, staff and the community to reduce barriers to student’s success and provide a nurturing and supportive environment. Family advocates make hundreds of contacts with students and families in need by coordinating individual, group, and community services.
• Approximately 83.3% of students who attend HOPE Academies are eligible for free or reduced lunches, versus a statewide average of 10.8%.
• Black and Latino students comprise almost 80% of the HOPE Academy student population, versus a statewide average of nearly 17% in the same grade levels.
• Five HOPE Academies were among the first charter schools renewed in Ohio.
• HOPE Academies are steadily closing the achievement gap; student academic growth continually exceeds expected achievement levels.