Wilmington's Moyer Academy loses charter

A charter school that just opened its doors in Wilmington in 2006 will have to shut down after this school year.

A charter school that just opened its doors in Wilmington in 2006 will have to shut down after this school year.

Delaware’s State Board of Education voted Thursday to terminate the charter of the Maurice J. Moyer Academy Charter School at the end of this school year, as recommended by Secretary of Education Lillian Lowery.

Moyer Academy, located on 17th Street in Wilmington, currently serves 484 students in grades 6-12.

As required of by law for all Delaware charter schools, Moyer Academy  had applied for a five-year renewal in October, 2009.   Schools must meet 14 criteria in order for the charter to be considered for renewal.

The Department of Education says the Charter School Accountability Committee reviewed the application and ultimately found that Moyer was deficient in several areas including student performance, curriculum and highly qualified teachers.

For now, Moyer will continue teaching students, and must administer the Delaware Student Testing Program.

Charter schools first opened in Delaware in 1996 with the Charter School of Wilmington and The Positive Outcomes Charter School in Dover.

There are currently 18 charter schools in Delaware with three more scheduled to open this fall for the 2010-2011 school year.