Gulen Syacuse Academy of Science wants to expand to a 4th school despite Islamic prayer room found on campus

PRAYER ROOM HIDDEN IN BACK OF SYRACUSE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, YET THIS SCHOOL WANTS TO EXPAND AND OPEN ANOTHER SCHOOL? SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse City School District wants to know what you think about having another charter school in Syracuse. The Syracuse Academy of Science has proposed opening a new kindergarten through second grade charter school in September 2016. The company already operates three schools in Syracuse: a high school, a middle school and an elementary school. The fourth school would be called the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship and would require community service at each grade level. The school plans to grow to full capacity in coming years, the district said. By the 2020-2021 school year, the school would enroll 525 students in grades K-6. Over the next 10 years, the school would add a new grade each year to become K-12 and enroll 975 students. The proposal is currently under review by the state's Board of Regents. The board could make a decision on the proposal as soon as its Nov. 17 meeting, according to the school district. The school of Science & Citizenship would be free and open to all children within the state. The company has said the proposed school would give priority enrollment to English language learners. Under the state's rules, funding for the charter school would be determined by where its students live. State aid for those students then goes to the charter school rather than the public school district. The district is required to provide transportation for those students. The district is asking for feedback from the community in the form of a public hearing on Tuesday. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the board room at the district's offices, 725 Harrison St. in Syracuse. Contact reporter Julie McMahon anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992

community spoke at november 5th meeting now the decision goes to the state of new york.

Syracuse Academy of Science has proposed opening its fourth charter school in Central New York.

By Brittany Muller SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The Syracuse Academy of Science has proposed opening a fourth charter school in September 2016. Parents, teachers, students, and children all gathered at the board room at the district’s offices on Harrison Street on Tuesday night to share their opinions of whether or not opening a fourth charter school will be beneficial to the children here in the community. The Superintendent of the charter school says if approved, the school will be called the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship and will offer 160 students schooling from kindergarten through grade six, with the plan of slowly increasing its numbers over a ten year span. The Superintendent says this school would provide another opportunity and another option for families with children in Syracuse. 

John Hughes is a parent of two SAS students, a son in elementary school and a daughter in high school. Hughes is concerned with the charter schools current problems like communication, but says that this is the best option available in Syracuse for his kids. Hughes’ son has a mild case of autism and says the SAS teachers and administrations have all been really helpful. But as community member Caleb Duncan voiced his opinion, he wasn’t so thrilled with the idea of another charter school opening. Duncan says that the Syracuse Academy of Science is not ready for another charter school in this area. Another dozen people spoke at the public hearing and had much to say when it came to voicing their opinions.

https://nccnews.expressions.syr.edu/education/syracuse-community-gives-feedback-on-charter-school-proposal/

The community’s feedback will go to the state education department for further review.

For more information about the Syracuse Academy of Science Charter Schools, click here.