Unfazed by Renovations, New Birmingham Charter School Ready to Open
Freedom Preparatory Academy Will Open Despite Pending Renovations
In the wake of a finding by a state agency that Freedom Preparatory Academy’s new Birmingham school needs renovations, officials have reassured the Alabama Public Charter School Commission that all issues will be addressed, and the school will proceed with its planned opening on September 3. The public charter school, initially intended to occupy the former Our Lady of Fatima school campus located in the Titusville community, will instead begin classes in temporary portable buildings with kindergarteners, the first cohort of students.
“A Challenge Worth Taking Head-On”
“Establishing a new school within a historical building has presented us with a significant challenge,” expressed Roblin Webb, the CEO of Freedom Prep, in an email. “However, our commitment to the Titusville community runs deep, and we’ve thus decided to operate out of portable classrooms,” she added. Despite the myriad issues that need immediate attention—including a lack of exit signs at all doors—raised by the Alabama Division of Construction Management which inspects public school buildings, Webb remains optimistic.
Fast-track to Solution
According to Logan Searcy, the executive director of the state charter commission, the school officials have been diligently working to rectify all of the issues. “They’ve made significant progress in the past week alone,” expressed Searcy. “Provided that they manage to resolve the remaining items by September 3, we’ll be back on schedule to welcome the first batch of kindergarteners.”
Funding Challenges Yet Striking Aspirations
Tyler Barnett of New Schools for Alabama, which supports charter schools in their initial phases, opined that preparing a facility for opening can be a complex task, particularly considering the current method of school funding in Alabama. “There’s virtually no state money available until schools are operational,” he explained. “And unlike other schools, charters don’t have access to a local tax base.” This lack of funding access can make addressing last-minute facility issues a tall order.
The Plan for Growth
Freedom Prep, a college prep charter network originating from Memphis, runs five schools currently and is well-known for its emphasis on African tradition and cultural practices within school activities. After initially aiming to start with 345 students from kindergarten through second grade in 2021, the school has now received approval to begin with a smaller group—75 kindergarteners—owing to the necessary adjustments related to renovation
Charter School Expansion in Birmingham
Freedom Prep is joining Legacy Prep in West Birmingham and i3 Academy in East Birmingham as state-authorized charters in Birmingham city. Three additional charter schools operate in the neighboring cities of Homewood and Bessemer, giving parents more educational choices for their children.
Next Steps and Precautions
An abundance of caution motivates the commission’s decision to set a meeting a few days before the school’s opening date out of fear of potential unresolved issues. Nonetheless, Searcy has communicated that she is maintaining close contact with Freedom Prep officials and will regularly update commissioners.
