For 25 years, public charter schools have served students across the District of Columbia, offering specialized education opportunities to the Capital city's diverse student population. Today, the Public Charter School Board has an opportunity to serve the quickly growing population of students with disabilities by approving one of the newly proposed public charter schools - Heru Academy.

As of 2019, students with disabilities comprised nearly 1 out of 5 students within the District of Columbia, making up 18% of the student population in DC public and public charter schools. Over the past four years, the number of students with disabilities have steadily risen. The District has a limited ability to meet the growing needs of students with disabilities, causing the governing agency to place students in non-public/residential facilities located outside of the District. In 2018, 708 students with varying disabilities were placed in non-public schools, many outside the District, resulting in family separation, limited oversight, and poor regulatory enforcement; this same year, the city spent over $61 M in non-public schools. 

Within the District, the highest population of students with disabilities is concentrated in Wards 7 and 8, with a total of 6,100 students in FY18. The District needs to alternative options for these students that offers comprehensive education in their communities for these students and their families. 

For this reason, Heru Academy Public Charter School will serve all students District-wide while targeting students with disabilities specifically in Wards 7 and 8. Using EL education and STEAM curricula, Heru Academy will work to guarantee access to a high-quality education, while simultaneously addressing social emotional needs, engaging families, and guaranteeing the best standard of care possible for students.

Please let the DC Public Charter School Board know that our city needs a school like Heru Academy! We are petitioning to:

• provide high quality education to students of all disabilities through EL and STEAM curricula
• bring a new school into the historically under resourced Wards 7 & 8, to serve the local community and the city at large 
• create a community of learning that unites families, staff, students, and the neighbors around the core values of "Success for all, by Any Means Necessary"

The DC Public Charter School Board will vote on new charter school proposals on April 19. We need your help to let the school board know that it's time the District provides more local resources for students with disabilities, and that Heru Academy is the perfect opportunity to show that quality education for students of all abilities is a priority for our city's leaders! Sign this petition, write to the Public Charter School Board, reach out to your local council members, and help us spread the word before April 19! 

We hope you'll join us! 

Follow Heru Academy on Facebook for more information!