Media Contact:

Maria Dickson, Director of External Affairs

mdickson@crossroadsstage.bluesym15.work

Phone: 816-221-2600 x322

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Crossroads Charter Schools Receives 10-Year Charter Renewal

KANSAS CITY, MO — June 15, 2022 — Following a unanimous vote on June 14, 2022 by the State Board of Education, DESE designated Crossroads Charter Schools a high-quality charter school and grants a 10-year charter renewal.

In late May, Crossroads’ sponsor, Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS,) recommended to DESE that Crossroads receive a high-quality 10-year charter.

Charnissa Holliday-Scott, Director of Educational Systems at KCPS, said the District has enjoyed partnering with the University of Central Missouri in the transfer of sponsorship of Crossroads to the District.

“KCPS is pleased to have made the recommendation for Crossroads’ ten-year renewal. Crossroads worked diligently on student academic excellence and operational compliance. While we understand our role as charter school sponsor and our oversight responsibilities, KCPS looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate and support the educational success of our Kansas City students and families,” Holliday-Scott said.

The statutory requirements for this designation are as follows:

• Receives 85% or greater on the annual performance report (APR) for three out of the last four school years
• Maintains a graduation rate of at least 80% for three of the last four school years, if the charter school provides a high school program
• Is in material compliance with its legally binding performance contract and sections 160.400 to 160.425 and section 167.349 RSMo
• Is directorial and fiscally viable as described in statute

This significant achievement for Crossroads comes on the heels of completing its tenth school year, and serves as recognition of the hard work and belief of staff, parents, students, and strong community support over the years. Crossroads is now poised to begin its next ten years with a strong foundation and validation of its efforts as an open enrollment school to impact children of all backgrounds to prepare them to be successful adults.

“The unanimous approval of Crossroads for a high-quality 10-year charter is a vote of confidence in our teachers, families, and the greater Kansas City community”, stated Greg Valdovino, Crossroads’ board president. “We are proud to be a part of a system that is making a measurable impact on the educational outcomes of the students being served. The board lauds the dedicated leaders, educators, and students who achieved this important milestone.”

“Being designated as a high-quality charter school by the state board of education is an honor. It’s a true testament to the exceptional work of our teachers who have continually shown up to provide the best education possible for our students. Our families, business/community partners, and donors have all been very supportive in this work. We certainly have remarkable things happening every day in our schools and that effort was recognized and rewarded by the state board. We are looking forward to collaborating over the next 10 years with our sponsor, KCPS, to provide a quality educational option for families,” said Tysie McDowell, Crossroads Co-Founder & Superintendent.

Only six other charter schools in Missouri have earned the distinction of high-quality: Academie Lafayette (KC,) City Garden Montessori (STL,) Ewing Marion Kauffman (KC,) North Side Community School (STL,) Scuola Vita Nuova (KC) and University Academy (KC.)

About Crossroads Charter Schools
Crossroads Charter Schools is a network of schools, which offers a dynamic Pre-K – 12 education in the heart of downtown Kansas City. Currently serving nearly 1100 students, Crossroads Charter Schools offer a unique model that emphasizes community engagement and Real World Learning. More information about Crossroads Charter Schools is available at crossroadsschoolskc.org.

The post Crossroads Charter Schools Earns 10 Year Charter Renewal – Named High-Quality School appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

Media Contact:

Maria Dickson, Director of External Affairs

mdickson@crossroadsstage.bluesym15.work

Phone: 816-221-2600 x322

The post Crossroads Charter Schools Announces New Charter Sponsor appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

Media Contact:

Courtney Hughley

Chief Communications & Strategy Officer

chughley@crossroadsstage.bluesym15.work

Phone: 816-221-2600 x332

The post Crossroads Preparatory Academy Principal Named NextGen Leader appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

Media Contact:

Courtney Hughley

chughley@crossroadsstage.bluesym15.work

Phone: 816-221-2600 x332

The post Tysie McDowell Named Crossroads’ New Superintendent appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

The post Crossroads Charter Schools Response to U.S. Capitol Attack appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

While it can be tempting to try for a school that’s on the top of everyone’s list, first make sure the school meets your practical needs. For instance, if you have to be at work at 8:30 and school starting time is 9:00 — with no early-morning care — it’s probably a deal breaker. By the same token, if there’s no bussing, but the school is 5 miles away, it may not be a good fit for your family. Finally, if it’s difficult or impossible for you to send your child to school with a lunch, ask if the school provides one and how much it costs (public schools all offer a free lunch for those families who qualify).

2) WHAT’S THE STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO?

When assessing a school, it’s important for parents to consider how much individual attention their child will receive. This means finding out how big the classes are and whether the class has a teaching aid or other parent volunteers. For grades K through third, a student teacher ratio over 22:1 is large. For fourth grade and up, anything above thirty, without a full-time aid, is a lot for a teacher to handle. (Keep in mind that while research has confirmed the benefits of small classes in grades three and lower, there’s no empirical proof that large class sizes in upper grades compromise how well children learn.)

3) HOW ARE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS HANDLED?

While it can be uncomfortable to ask some of these questions — and may not make you the most popular parent on the tour — it’s important to get these answers to understand the school’s disciplinary climate.

4) WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR SCHOOL FROM OTHERS?

Many schools — public and private — have special focuses, such as the arts, a language-immersion program, technology, or science.

5) HOW MUCH HOMEWORK IS THERE?

While most kindergartners don’t get much homework, find out how much homework is given in the upper grades. One rule of thumb is to give kids about 10 minutes a night per grade, as well as nightly reading.

The post PARENT – TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

While it can be tempting to try for a school that’s on the top of everyone’s list, first make sure the school meets your practical needs. For instance, if you have to be at work at 8:30 and school starting time is 9:00 — with no early-morning care — it’s probably a deal breaker. By the same token, if there’s no bussing, but the school is 10 miles away, it may not be a good fit for your family. Finally, if it’s difficult or impossible for you to send your child to school with a lunch, ask if the school provides one and how much it costs (public schools all offer a free lunch for those families who qualify).

2) WHAT’S THE STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO?

When assessing a school, it’s important for parents to consider how much individual attention their child will receive. This means finding out how big the classes are and whether the class has a teaching aid or other parent volunteers. For grades K through third, a student teacher ratio over 22:1 is large. For fourth grade and up, anything above thirty, without a full-time aid, is a lot for a teacher to handle. (Keep in mind that while research has confirmed the benefits of small classes in grades three and lower, there’s no empirical proof that large class sizes in upper grades compromise how well children learn.)

3) HOW ARE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS HANDLED?

While it can be uncomfortable to ask some of these questions — and may not make you the most popular parent on the tour — it’s important to get these answers to understand the school’s disciplinary climate.

4) WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR SCHOOL FROM OTHERS?

Many schools — public and private — have special focuses, such as the arts, a language-immersion program, technology, or science.

5) HOW MUCH HOMEWORK IS THERE?

While most kindergartners don’t get much homework, find out how much homework is given in the upper grades. One rule of thumb is to give kids about 10 minutes a night per grade, as well as nightly reading.

The post BENEFITS OF CLASSROOM DESIGN appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

Certifications – NCCPT, CPR/AED

Priscilla is a pediatrician and an education entrepreneur.

In particular, she is interested in integrating her work in health and education through designing and implementing interventions addressing adverse childhood experiences. 

Prior to entering medical school, she ran an afterschool program in Boston and taught 4th and 5th grade science at the Harker School.

Jenna earned her BA in Biology with Spanish Citation at Harvard University and her MD at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).  She also completed her pediatrics training in the UCSF/PLUS Pediatrics Residency. Jenna also serves as an active board member of Start-Up: Education.

The post JULIE COLLINS appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

Certifications – NCCPT, CPR/AED

Priscilla is a pediatrician and an education entrepreneur.

In particular, she is interested in integrating her work in health and education through designing and implementing interventions addressing adverse childhood experiences. 

Prior to entering medical school, she ran an afterschool program in Boston and taught 4th and 5th grade science at the Harker School.

Jenna earned her BA in Biology with Spanish Citation at Harvard University and her MD at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).  She also completed her pediatrics training in the UCSF/PLUS Pediatrics Residency. Jenna also serves as an active board member of Start-Up: Education.

The post JENNA MOORE appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.

Certifications – NCCPT, CPR/AED

Priscilla is a pediatrician and an education entrepreneur.

In particular, she is interested in integrating her work in health and education through designing and implementing interventions addressing adverse childhood experiences. 

Prior to entering medical school, she ran an afterschool program in Boston and taught 4th and 5th grade science at the Harker School.

Jenna earned her BA in Biology with Spanish Citation at Harvard University and her MD at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).  She also completed her pediatrics training in the UCSF/PLUS Pediatrics Residency. Jenna also serves as an active board member of Start-Up: Education.

The post DOMINIC SNYDER appeared first on Crossroads Charter Schools.