No Relationship Between Hope Charter and Evans, OARC

Dear Editor:

I would like to correct some misinformation that appeared in your September 29th issue, involving HOPE Charter High School, of which I am its CEO.

Under the headline “Evans-funded Schools among The Worst in a Collapsing System”, the article references many local institutions. Among them is listed our school, stating that “Hope Charter is another of Dwight Evans and OARC’s affiliated organizations”. I would like to point out that HOPE Charter School is chartered by the School District of Philadelphia and has no affiliation to Dwight Evans or to OARC. As our State Representative, Mr Evans was supportive and helpful in our efforts to set up the school almost a decade ago, and OARC does own the building, but other than in respect of those connections, there is no relationship between HOPE and OARC or between HOPE and Mr Evans. Our funding comes through the school district and no funding comes from Mr Evans’ office.

In reference to your comments about our academic performance, we feel that the article was written without true knowledge of our target population, the circumstances of our youth at entry, without knowledge of their successes and achievements, or knowledge of the dedication and commitment of the school’s staff.

At HOPE Charter School, we believe in educating the whole student; this includes developing work habits that include consistent attendance, punctuality, appropriate behavior, as well as social and emotional well-being. We recognize that many of the students who attend HOPE Charter School enter with reading and math skills at the 4th and 5th grade levels. We also recognize that in order for our students to achieve academically, they must come to school on a consistent basis, develop positive self-esteem, receive behavioral health services to help them cope with the many issues with which they come to school, and develop valuable goals for their futures.

Our parent surveys, current waiting lists in 11th and 12th grades, high attendance rate, low incident rates, and safe school climate are testaments to the changes taking place in our students.

HOPE Charter School specifically targets students who have had difficulty in traditional school settings, and through the efforts of an extremely dedicated staff, which includes academic and behavior advisors as well as grade level coaches and an in-house behavioral health team, the majority of students stay with us throughout the four years, and nearly all graduate with a high school diploma.

Many of our students go on to college. This is all accomplished against the background of major life challenges that many of our students face, including, of course, low test scores at admission.

We believe that our local newspaper should support and encourage this work being done in the midst of its circulation area. We welcome visits from the community, from your readership and newspaper, as we believe we have a school of which the neighborhood can, and should, be proud.

Yours Sincerely

Richard L. Chapman