The TEA denied the accreditation based on an “academically unacceptable performance” based on standardized testing scores the past two school years.
SAN ANTONIO — A local charter is closing its doors after the Texas Education Agency decided not to renew its accreditation. The TEA cited poor test scores as the reason why.
For the past year, Miriam Sobre explains her first grader has been thriving at The Gathering Place.
“She’s only been there a year, but over the year that she has been there, she’s had three teachers who have all completely built back her self-esteem,” she said. “She loves the experiential…the project based learning really works for her. The gathering place has worked really well for her because it’s for students who think outside the box.”
In a letter sent to the school board chair and superintendent of The Gathering Place, the TEA denied the accreditation based on an “academically unacceptable performance” based on standardized testing scores the past two school years.
Wednesday night, the school board decided to close after this school year.
Sobre finds the decision frustrating.
“I don’t want to cry,” she said. “So many of us in there were just truly saddened and upset and angry. Not at the school, but angry at the system that is causing this. How could they close a school that helps neuro-divergent kids who aren’t going to be taking tests so great because they’re not good test takers?”
The Gathering Place stated it’s also dealing with financial struggles due to low student enrollment, according to a press release. The charter school could appeal the decision, but chose not to given what they say are limited chances of reversing the TEA’s decision and the high cost for that appeal.
In a statement to KENS 5, Brian Sparks, superintendent for The Gathering Place wrote:
“As Superintendent, I want to acknowledge that this transition will be difficult for our entire school community. TGP has always been a special place, and I know that our caregivers, staff, and students have built strong, meaningful bonds.
We are committed to ensuring that our students continue to receive the best education possible until the end of the year while also supporting caregivers in finding a new school for next fall that will meet their child’s unique learning needs.
I also want to recognize the incredible dedication each staff member has shown in their work here at TGP. We will do everything we can to assist our staff in exploring new professional opportunities where they can continue making a positive impact on young people.”
Sobre and many other families are now looking at different places to send their kids.
“I really liked that she was going to a school that also had their values aligned with ours, and I’m not 100% sure if there’s any other school in the city that does that really,” she said. “This was a school that was good for a lot of kids. Different schools fit different kids. This school fit the kids who are going there.”