Imagine Charter Schools failing in Missouri, Georgia

by David Safier

Imagine Schools is the largest charter school organization in the country: over 70 schools, including 18 in Arizona. It's based on the corporate expansion model — grow or die. Quantity is more important than quality, so it's OK to take much-needed funds from one charter school to help open another.

Imagine's growth model is showing some wear and tear. In Cobb County, Georgia, the school district recommended against renewing Imagine International Academy of Mableton. Among the concerns: the school has had 4 principals in 5 years, it ran a deficit of over $3 million, it hired teachers with "questionable qualifications," and its test scores were low.

Interestingly, a school that severed its former ties with Imagine, International Academy of Smyrna, was renewed. All of a sudden, it's saving money by not sending everything to Imagine in Virginia. For instance, a half million was knocked off its lease when it renegotiated with the building's owners.

Meanwhile, St. Louis' mayor wants to close the city's six Imagine schools, because their test scores are so lousy.

The Virginia-based Imagine Schools Inc., the largest charter school operator in the country, has six school in St. Louis. They ranked at the bottom among charter schools and most St. Louis Public Schools on the 2011 Missouri Assessment Program

Just 3.9 percent of pupils at Imagine Academy of Careers Elementary at 3740 Marine Avenue passed the state math exam. Across town, at Imagine Academy of Academic Success at 1409 East Linton Avenue, 8.5 percent passed. But 30.9 percent of students in St. Louis Public Schools passed the same test.

One of its schools, Imagine Academy of Cultural Arts, is billed as a "gifted" program for elementary students, yet only 5.4% of the students reached proficient or advanced levels in reading. Maybe what's being "gifted" is the state education money to Imagine headquarters.

ARIZONA IMAGINE IGNORANCE NOTE: I know far more about Imagine schools in Missouri, Georgia, Texas and Florida than I do about those in Arizona, because of extensive news coverage in those states. Part of the reason may be the schools here are more successful. Another reason may be, the ADE and its Charter School Board are more cheerleaders than regulators, so they use the Don't Ask, Don't Tell approach toward our state's charters. The final problem is, the MSM hasn't looked into the schools, as they have elsewhere. If problems in other states are any indication, Arizona's Imagine Schools are probably ripe for some serious investigation.