A network of free, public charter schools in Cleveland is performing on par with its suburban brethren, according to the final state school report cards released this week for the 2011-12 academic year.

The Breakthrough Schools network, a charter partner of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, kept pace with the Orange and Strongsville school districts in state testing of math, science and reading. Two of the programs -- The Intergenerational School (TIS) and Citizens Academy -- were rated "Excellent with Distinction" (the highest rating possible) by the Ohio Department of Education.

Matching report cards with two historically high-ranking districts is a proud moment for the charter program, says communications director Lyman Millard. The results are particularly telling for an area that does not have the economic advantages of its suburban counterparts.

"This is a dream behind all of our schools," says Millard. "The quality of education you receive should not be determined by the region you live in."

The testing covered over 1,000 Breakthrough students in grades 3 through 8. The program formed in 2010 as a collaboration of three charter organizations: Citizens Academy, E Prep/Village Prep and TIS. Since then, Breakthrough has opened five new schools across Cleveland in partnership with the Cleveland school district.

The final report cards’ release followed a months-long delay prompted by a state investigation into whether some districts improperly removed truant students from enrollment figures. With the numbers confirmed, Breakthrough has proven to be a more-than-viable option for a high-quality academic environment, maintains the program's directors.

"We have great schools with great teachers and high expectations," Millard says. "Cleveland families don't have to move to the suburbs if they want a good education for their children."

SOURCE: Lyman Millard
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth