Rise Academy recognized with exclusive national award
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - Rise Academy in Lubbock has been chosen by the Texas Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, as one of two schools in the state to be recognized with the National Title 1 Distinguished School award. Schools are chosen based on meeting high academic performance criteria and an 85 percent or higher low-income student population.
In a press release, Richard Baumgartner, the founder and director of Rise Academy, said, "We've had many years of consistently high academic achievement at Rise Academy, but I never saw this award coming. We are very proud that Rise Academy will represent Texas charter schools. This award shows that charter schools can be, and have been, among the best schools in the state." Baumgartner also thanked the students' parents and Rise board members for doing their part in the success of the school.
The National Title 1 staff will use details from Rise Academy's educational philosophy and instructional strategies to share with other schools to help improve achievement for their students.
The independent public charter school opened in September 1999. Rise is located at 207 N Martin L King Boulevard in Lubbock. It uses a variety of instruction methods for their pre-k through eighth-grade classes. Baumgartner says said the charter school will be looked upon as a standard-bearer for excellence.
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