Charter Schools News Connection – December 15, 2005

THE ALLIANCE FOR COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVES $2.8 MILLION GRANT

December 15, 2005

LOS ANGELES, CA– The Alliance for College- Ready Public Schools, a non-profit charter management organization committed to opening high-performance 9-12 and 6-8 charter schools in Los Angeles, today announced that it has received a grant of $2.8 million from the NewSchools Venture Fund. The award will support the three charter schools that the Alliance plans to open in 2006.

“To date, we have opened and are operating three high schools and one middle school,” said Judy Burton, CEO of the Alliance. “This grant award recognizes the success we’ve demonstrated thus far and is further validation of the organization’s mission to provide every child in the Los Angeles community with the means to prepare for college. Furthermore, this monetary support further propels us toward our goal of opening 20 high-performance charter schools over the next five years.”

Charter schools are public schools created or organized by a group of educators, parents, community leaders, or community-based organizations and sponsored by a state, county, or local school board.
"The students and families of Los Angeles deserve access to additional high-quality educational opportunities, and NewSchools believes charter schools are a promising way to make that happen," said Dr. Ana Tilton, NewSchools partner and Alliance board member. "NewSchools looks forward to working closely with the Alliance team as it builds on the success of its first schools by creating a system of excellent new schools for these underserved communities."

The mission of the Alliance (a non-profit charter management organization) is to create a network of small, innovative schools that establish the foundation for college success in students who live in high-poverty communities in the Los Angeles area. The vision is to open a minimum of 20 new public charter schools over the next 5 years and 100 schools within the next 25 years. All students are enrolled in rigorous college-preparatory coursework that is developed, operated and supported by the Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools.

About The Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools
The Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, a non-profit charter management organization is committed to opening high performance 9-12 and 6-8 charter schools in Los Angeles. More information can be found at: www.laalliance.org

About NewSchools Venture Fund

NewSchools Venture Fund is a venture philanthropy firm working to transform public education through powerful ideas and passionate entrepreneurs so that all children — especially those underserved — have the opportunity to succeed in the 21st century. More information can be found at: www.newschools.org

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For More Information Contact:

Judy Burton, President and CEO
The Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools
213-943-4933
jburton@laalliance.org

Ana Tilton, Partner
NewSchools Venture Fund
415-615-6860
atilton@NewSchools.org

URL: http://www.laalliance.org