For Immediate Release | Thursday, August 28, 2019
Contact | Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com or (724) 263-9826
Seattle, WA—The 2019-20 school year has officially kicked off at most of the state’s charter public schools. This year, ten charter public schools statewide will serve approximately 3,500 students. For the sector’s most veteran schools, this year marks the fifth year of operation. The state’s newest charter public school, Ashé Preparatory Academy, opened doors to students for the very first time, in Kent, on Monday, August 26.
Extended learning time—through early school year starts and longer school days—is a common feature of Washington’s charter public schools, which have more flexibility when it comes to their academic programs and calendars, in exchange for being held to higher levels of accountability for academic outcomes.
“This year, as students and teachers head back to school, we celebrate the expansion of existing high-performing charters schools, the launch of a new and innovative approach to culturally responsive teaching at Ashé Prep, and a robust pipeline of schools set to open in 2020 and beyond,” said WA Charters CEO Patrick D’Amelio.
In May, the Washington State Charter School Commission authorized four more schools, and in June, Spokane Public Schools approved a school designed to serve teen parents. Also in June, WA Charters selected a new cohort of four School Leadership and Design Fellows, who will apply to open in 2021 and 2022.
“Five years in, our highest fliers are recognized among the highest performing charter schools in the nation, and 100% of our operating and planned schools share a focus on rigorous college and career readiness,” said D’Amelio.
Here is a full listing of the charter public schools currently operating across the state in the 2019-20 school year, including grade level offerings and start dates:
| School | Location | Year opened | Grade levels served | First day of school |
| Summit Atlas | West Seattle | 2017 | 6-11 in 2019-20, 6-12 in 2020 and beyond | August 21 |
| Summit Olympus | Tacoma | 2015 | 9-12 in 2019-20 and beyond | August 21 |
| Summit Sierra | Seattle | 2015 | 9-12 in 2019-20 and beyond | August 21 |
| Ashé Preparatory Academy | Kent (temporary facility, planning to move to Skyway) | 2019 | K-2, 6, growing to serve K-8 | August 26 |
| Impact | Puget Sound Elementary | Tukwila | 2018 | K-2 in 2019-20, growing to serve K-5 | August 26 |
| Rainier Prep | Highline | 2015 | 5-8 in 2019-20 and beyond | August 28 |
| Spokane International Academy | Spokane | 2015 | K-8 in 2019-20 and beyond | August 28 for grades 1-8; August 30 for K |
| PRIDE Prep Middle School and Innovation High School | Spokane | 2015 | 6-11 in 2019-20 and beyond | September 3 |
| Willow Public School | Walla Walla | 2018 | 6-8 in 2019-20 and beyond | September 3 |
| Green Dot Rainier Valley Leadership Academy – Middle School and High School | Seattle | 2017 | 6-10 in 2019-20, growing to 6-12 | September 4 |
To be connected with a school representative in your area, please contact Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com.
About WA Charters
The Washington State Charter Schools Association is a statewide nonprofit that advocates for and supports high-quality charter public schools that meet the needs of systemically underserved students. To learn more, visit www.wacharters.org.
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