The state’s first and only public STEM Charter School will be available for students in both the Yazoo City Municipal School District and the Yazoo County School District for the upcoming fall season.
Named the SRI College Preparatory and STEM Academy, the charter school will open for the 2022-2023 school year in Canton for kindergarten through fifth grade. However, during its first school year, instruction will be geared towards kindergarten and first grade classes.
The charter school is free for all students with no tuition costs. It will be open to all students from seven possible districts, including both Yazoo City and County students.
The charter school’s mission is to prepare students for successful academic career, to college and beyond.
“The United States suffers from persistent differences in achievement between groups of students defined by race/ethnicity or family income, and our students also rank well behind those in economically competitive countries on international tests,” said Tamu Green, founder and CEO. “We must continue to invest in education in order to create a system that is more equitable and that produces American students who are more competitive in the global marketplace for talent.”
The charter school’s facility will be located on a campus in rural Madison County, near Canton.
“We want to build a multidisciplinary educational campus that is energy efficient and consists of clean air buildings and outdoor learning,” Green said.
Although the facility is under construction, classes will meet in church buildings during the first school year as the campus is being prepared.
“We are thankful church members are opening their doors and providing classroom space during the inaugural year for the CPSA,” Green said. “This is a community effort, and we want to thank the community members for embracing us and our vision for creating a STEM school where all students can grow and learn.”
After a nationwide search, Kymberley Hutchinson has been selected to lead the school. Hutchinson is currently in San Antonio, Texas and relocating to Central Mississippi to serve as the SR1 CPSA Provost. Hutchinson has degrees in business administration and masters in education. She has an extensive background in STEM education and school leadership positions.
“I believe the vision for SR1 CPSA reflects my philosophy of education; creating a place where imagination and a rich curriculum promotes a desire for our students to become lifelong learners,” Hutchinson said.
Organizers said the goal of the charter school is to acquire a National Blue Ribbon School status where elementary students of all economic, social and cultural backgrounds can learn, thrive and stay on an educational path towards college.
“My goals are simple in nature, build a community of innovative educators that foster questioning in the classroom that drives students to learn more every day and provide students with STEM rich experiences that develop their 21st Century skills,” said Hutchinson. “In addition, have our school, educators, and students recognized by the community and state.”
Each grade is slated to have 75 students with three teachers per classroom per grade. However, if more than 75 students register for a grade level, a lottery for entrance will be held. To learn more and apply for the school, visit the website https://www.sr1cpsa.org/admissions.
The charter school will be overseen by a board, which members are currently being selected. Teachers and other staff members are also currently being hired at this time.
“Mississippi can build a strong foundation for economic success and shared prosperity by investing in education,” Green said. “Providing expanded access to high quality education will not only expand economic opportunity for residents, but also likely do more to strengthen the overall state economy than anything else a state government can do.”
To learn more about the SR1 College Preparatory STEM Academy, visit the website https://www.sr1cpsa.org.
