Inside the Chaotic Charter Schools Run by a For-Profit Company
When Tasha Stiles began teaching at Toledo Preparatory Academy, a for-profit charter school operated by Accel Schools in Ohio, she quickly realized something was amiss. The school lacked proper orientation and instructional materials, leaving teachers ill-equipped to educate students effectively. With worn-out facilities, limited academic resources, and inadequate heating, the learning environment was far from conducive. Students were often left to work on Chromebooks without proper curriculum support.
The chaotic environment extended beyond academics, as the school's administration failed to provide necessary support and supplies. There was no school nurse, and COVID-19 protocols were lax. Students faced suspension without clear reasons, and a rigid student ranking system further added to the discord. Instead of focusing on a rich academic program, Toledo Prep prioritized excessive test preparation, neglecting comprehensive learning.
Stiles’s experience at Toledo Prep is not an isolated incident. A deeper investigation reveals a growing trend among charter schools, particularly those run by for-profit operators like Accel Schools. These schools operate based on an investor-driven business model, similar to that in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Struggling schools are handed off to private entities that strip them of resources, run them with minimal investment, and exploit any remaining assets before passing them on to the next operator or shutting them down entirely.
Toledo Prep’s history exemplifies this pattern, with Accel Schools acquiring it after its previous incarnation as Aurora Academy under a different operator. Accel schools often resort to rebranding to obscure troubled pasts. Capital Collegiate Preparatory Academy in Columbus, Ohio, underwent a similar transformation when acquired by Accel, with its academic program becoming makeshift and haphazard.
Former teachers and board members of these schools have criticized the lack of curriculum, instructional resources, and proper academic support for exceptional students. When inquiring about students’ education, they were met with vague responses and unfulfilled promises from Accel personnel. These schools prioritize testing over a comprehensive educational experience.
While these charter schools claim accreditation from Cognia, a regional accrediting association, there is no guarantee of high-quality education with the accreditation. Accreditation has been granted to schools with abysmal graduation rates.
Despite accusations of intentional mismanagement, Accel Schools is expanding rapidly, managing numerous charter schools across different states. Critics argue that Accel’s growth relies on taking over struggling schools. If these schools face performance issues, they restructure, change names, and repeat the cycle, leaving the affected students with a disrupted education.
Public schools facing similar challenges do not have a profit motive driving their mismanagement. While some public schools may suffer from a lack of resources and chaos, they are not part of a larger scheme aimed at financial gain. The profit-driven business model behind Accel Schools’ operation raises serious questions about the well-being of students caught in the midst of this investor-driven enterprise.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
