Moyer Academy could be closed by Delaware’s education secretary

The academically troubled Moyer Academy in Wilmington is on a path to be closed at the end of the current school year.

Following an internal vote, the state charter accountability committee announced on Friday that they recommend closing the Moyer Academy at the end of the 2014-15 school year. The committee cited poor academic performance at the school, which enrolls students in grades 6-12.

In a statement released Friday, the review committee observed that 23 percent of Moyer students passed state reading tests, and only 6 percent passed standardized math tests.

These statistics are alleged to be the lowest of any school in Delaware. In addition, the school is also accused of violations surrounding its handling of students with disabilities.

Since its opening in 2006, Moyer’s tenure has been troubled. The charter that allowed the school to operate was terminated in 2010. The school reorganized as the New Moyer Academy in 2011.

The recommendation now goes to Education Secretary Mark Murphy, who will rule on the matter at state board of education meeting scheduled for Sept. 18. Prior to that decision, a public hearing will be held on Sept. 10, with public comments to be considered until Sept. 15.

Murphy had recommended that the committee review the Moyer Academy situation at a July meeting of the state Board of Education.

Anyone attending Moyer will be given instructions on how to apply to the their home school district for next year. The deadline for applications is in January.