Houston’s YES Prep charter schools win Broad prize
Jun 21, 2012, 8:50 PM
AP Education Writer
(AP) – A Houston-based charter organization serving predominantly minority and low-income students won the first Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools and will receive $250,000 to boost college readiness among low-income students.
YES Prep Public Schools was noted for eliminating nearly every achievement gap between minority and white students, as well as between poor and more affluent children.
The charter school prize is the sister award to the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education.
The charter organization operates 10 middle and high schools. There are 9,000 students on Yes Prep waiting lists.
Nationwide, charter schools have seen enormous growth over the last decade. Enrollment in the publicly funded but independently run schools now surpasses 2 million students, though perennial concerns remain over access and accountability.
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