June 30, 2023
Dear James Irwin Families,
I hope that everyone is having a great summer and planning fun events for our nation’s 247th birthday in a few days! Here is some affirming news https://credo.stanford.edu/ on the work we do at James Irwin:
A non-partisan study from the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University has compared standardized state math and reading test results between charter and other public schools. Charter schools outperform other public schools, and network charter schools (like James Irwin Charter Schools) outperform other charter schools! Network charter schools' students gain 27 extra days of reading and 23 days in math. Their gains improve over time.
By a student’s fourth year in their charter school, the report claims their students show 45 days stronger growth in reading than their public-school peers and 39 additional days of learning per year in math. Gains are especially stronger for low income, students of color who “advance more than their traditional public-school peers by large margins. The CREEDO report calls those 'gap busting' schools because they largely eliminate the learning disparity between white and minority students.
As we approach the midpoint of summer break, I wanted to take a moment to update everyone on the progress of enrollment, school expansions, and new schools.
As of July 1, we still have several open seats for students in most of our schools. It would be great to fill the remaining seats before school begins. Our very best form of advertising is word of mouth from our current families, so I am asking each of you to talk to your friends with school age children and share ads from https://www.facebook.com/jamesirwinjags/ to your social media. We will be hosting parent information meetings during the summer for all schools. https://www.jamesirwin.org/prospective-parents/informationals-tours. Please share these times with family and friends.
The expansion of the new PTEC facility on Waynoka Place is nearly complete! We are excited for everyone to see the new facility, and we will be planning an open house as soon as we get moved in. As part of the move, we are looking for volunteers to help load and unload trucks during the week of July 17th. At present, we are planning to move on July 17th and 18th and we would appreciate any help from families. Please feel free to email me directly at rob@jamesirwin.org if you would like to help.
The plans to add a third elementary school are progressing well. James Irwin Elementary School – Canada Drive Campus will be in the former PTEC facility at 2525 Canada Drive in District 49. The current plan is to open the new elementary school in August 2024. D49 has been very supportive.
We are excited to begin our 24th year as a school this August and appreciate all your support along the way. As always, if I can be of any assistance, please reach out to me by email, text, or phone.
Sincerely,
Rob Daugherty
CEO
