Delaware state board revokes Moyer’s charter

(Photo courtesy of the Maurice J. Moyer Academic Institute)

(Photo courtesy of the Maurice J. Moyer Academic Institute)

The Maurice J. Moyer Academic Institute will close at the end of this academic year. 

Delaware’s State Board of Education unanimously voted to revoke Moyer’s charter on Thursday. 

In August, the Dept. of Education’s Charter Accountability Committee recommended that the Wilmington-based charter close at the end of the 2014-15 school year. The committee cited the school’s poor academic performance, ranked among the lowest of any school in Delaware. 

History of instability

Thursday’s revocation marked the second time the Maurice J. Moyer Academic Institute lost its charter. 

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Initially named the Maurice J. Moyer Academy when it opened in 2006, the school was closed by the state four years later because of poor academic performance and lack of qualified teachers.

The school reorganized as the New Maurice J. Moyer Academy in 2011 under a new charter. Last year, the administration changed the school’s name yet again when it attempted a major overhaul.

Moving forward

Following the state’s board decision, Delaware Dept. of Education leaders said they plan to meet with Moyer students and families in the coming weeks to help them determine their best educational options for next school year.

In addition to their district feeder pattern schools, students can apply to non-district schools through the state’s choice program. The choice application deadline is Jan. 14, 2015.

The state also has set up an email address (Moyer.Info@doe.k12.de.us) and phone number (302-735-4020) to answer questions that families may have.

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