The State University of New York has rejected proposals for two charter schools in Schenectady.
The Albany Times-Union reports that the rejected schools are Urban Collegiate Academy, which would have been Schenectady’s first charter school for grades 6 to 12, and Schenectady Scholars, which would have been a Montessori-style elementary school. It would have been the first charter school of its type in the region.
Officials from each proposed school posted on Facebook about their submissions being rejected by the SUNY Board of Trustees’ Charter Schools Committee.
Schenectady Scholars will reapply for next year, said George Borum, who proposed the school. Borum said his application needed to be clearer on how he would carry out the Montessori teaching method.
“What many don’t know is that only 18% of first-time charter applications are approved,” Borum said. “But even if I had known that from the start, I still would have said: ‘Let’s do it,’” he wrote. “This is not the end. It’s just a pause. Because every parent deserves a choice.”
Urban Collegiate Academy leaders also announced their rejection on Facebook.
“While this news was disappointing, it has only deepened our resolve,” officials said. “We are not deterred. We remain more committed than ever to expanding school choice for the children and families of Schenectady.”
Schenectady has one charter school, Destine Prep, which was approved in 2021. Backers of Urban Collegiate Academy say the city needs another secondary school.
“In communities where access to high-quality public education continues to be shaped by race, zip code, and income, our mission is not just urgent — it is necessary,” the school wrote.
