From The Gazette
Charter school seems to be rebounding

Pikes Peak Prep seems to be getting back on its feet. Cars are lined up on Costilla Street in the morning and afternoon as students are dropped off and picked up. Enrollment is nearly 300, up from last October's count of 205 -- and school officials say it dropped from that during the year because of numerous issues.

The turn-around began in January, when new principal Patty Arnold joined the school, then called 21st Century Charter Academy. The board changed the name in the spring to Pikes Peak Prep. Arnold reports in her back to school letter that all teachers are now licensed and experienced and carefully crafted schedules are in place. The Web site also boasts that the school has a high growth rate when compared to some national scores. Most of its Colorado Student Assessment Program scores were not shown because fewer than 16 students in most groups took the test. But officials say the scores showed high growth under the new Colorado growth model.

And finally, the school recently received a $5,000 Sprint Foundation grant for character education.

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