COEUR D'ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION, HONORED BY DELEGATION AND STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy was honored Wednesday at the National Press Club, as one of the top charter schools in the nation. Members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation were on hand as the Center for Education Reform presented the award. Senator Larry Craig and U.S. Rep. Bill Sali attended today's event. Senator Mike Crapo sent his congratulations. "The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is an excellent example of what can happen when parents and teachers are innovative and are allowed to express that innovation in a public school setting," Sali said. "The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is to be congratulated for receiving this national recognition and for the fine work of the teachers and administrators on behalf of their students." Craig said, "Today, our youth's competitors may very well be kids from China, India, and other technologically advanced nations. If we are to remain competitive in the world, we need to start thinking outside the box, and charter schools are just one way we are meeting these demands. The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is an outstanding example of how we are raising the bar on education and giving our kids a chance to flourish." "This is a tremendous honor for the teachers, students, parents and administrators at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy," Crapo said. "This recognition demonstrates the exceptional educational opportunities provided at the Academy." "The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is a model of innovation and success," Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. "I congratulate the school on its hard work. At the State Department of Education, we are working to expand the choices parents have in public education across the state, like Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy." The school was one of 53 charter schools honored. There are about 4,000 charter schools operating in the United States, all of which were eligible for the award. The academy was noted for having a 100 percent graduation rate, 100 percent of its teachers identified as highly qualified and 95 percent of its students scoring proficient or higher on state tests.