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Community Need
The academic performance of Springfield elementary schools is disappointing. Many Springfield children live in poverty – their parents need options of a public charter such as that provided by Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence.
Accomplishing MLK Charter School’s Mission
“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence prepares kindergarten through 5th grade students of Springfield for academic success and engaged citizenship through insistence on rigorous, challenging work. The school incorporates Dr. King’s commitment to the highest standards in scholarship, civic participation and the ideal of “the beloved community.”
How does MLK Charter School differ from other urban public schools? The difference is that Dr. King’s philosophy forms the basis of the school’s culture and values. This means that the school responds to the challenge of urban education with character development. The children and adults together are building a beloved community.
- Every school day, all staff members teach the children how to treat others and how to learn.
- Each month the whole school focuses on one of Dr. King’s values, including respect, perseverance, and cooperation. During each two week period between assemblies, the adults honor children for demonstrating an element of the school culture such as being responsible for one’s actions and zero voices in the halls.
- The student support team, including the school social worker and two character development specialists, works intensively with individual children who are struggling because of social-emotional challenges and helps them to overcome those challenges.
- The children earn Book of Honor certificates, a seat at the “respect” tables at lunch, and pizza parties in the executive director’s office.
- The board of trustees and staff do not give up on children and are not satisfied until a student is living the school’s Dr. King values.
- The staff of MLK Charter School strives to be an example of Dr. King’s beloved community of ethnic, racial, and religious integration with a deep respect for the world’s diverse cultures.
Founded in 2006, MLK Charter School was fully enrolled during its first year of operation, with 180 students under its charter in grades K-2, and its second year, with 240 students in grades K-3. On track to add one grade level and 60 students each school year from now through 2009-2010, when it will have a charter capacity of 360 students in grades K-5, it is again fully enrolled for 2008-2009 with 300 students in grades K-4.
MLK Charter School, its students, their parents and guardians, and the community all support a culture of high expectations, a commitment that all children will successfully learn and develop their character. This commitment to each individual student permeates the school.
A Partnership
MLK Charter School is an outgrowth of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, which supported the founding group’s charter application and is a partner of the school. MLK Charter School students also benefit from MLK Community Center’s youth development and social services including MLK Community Center’s after-school program at the school.
Leadership Capacity
The founders and the current trustees are a diverse group with an enthusiastic commitment to our mission, strong ties to Springfield, and a range of skills that will guarantee the viability of Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence. With the vision and leadership of executive director Lan Katz and director of education Jamel Adkins-Sharif, the MLK Charter School board of trustees and staff share a passion for educating Springfield’s children, an urgency to accomplish this mission, a deep appreciation of the vitality of Dr. King’s values, and the belief in the ability of each child to learn and live those values.
Facility Needs & Capital Campaign
During the 2006-2007 school year, MLK Charter School was in rented space in Alden Baptist Church at 649 State Street, Springfield. During the 2007-2008 school year, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades were in Alden Baptist Church and the kindergarten was in rented space across the street at 650 State Street. Suring 2008-2009, the 4th grade will join the kindergarten at 650 State Street. As previously noted, MLK Charter School will add another 60 children in for the 2009-2010 school years as it grows to its charter capacity of 360 students in grades K-5.
The entire MLK Charter School community looks forward to the day when the school can again be in one facility. Such togetherness is a prerequisite for creating “our beloved community." To achieve this goal the only realistic option is for the Friends of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence, Inc. to raise the funds to purchase such a facility, as suitable rental space is not available in Springfield.
The total cost to purchase and renovate a building for MLK Charter School will be approximately six million dollars ($6,000,000). Working with Mass Development Corporation, a commercial bank, and an agency with an allocation of tax credits, the Friends of MLK Charter School expect to finance seventy-five percent of the cost of the facility. The Friends hope to raise the remaining twenty-five percent ($1,500,000) for this project through capital campaign that will seek the support of individuals, businesses and foundations from the Springfield area.
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