For the last six years, I have studied and analyzed the most effective public charter schools across the country. This analysis has lead me to conclude that there are six common characteristics that all schools share:

  • Clearly defined mission and purpose.
  • Expanded professional development opportunities for teachers, staff members, and community stakeholders.
  • Emphasis on a safe environment, conducive to student learning.
  • Active and engaged relationships with school parents and community members.
  • Overall student achievement through clear systems for academic prevention and intervention (closing the achievement gaps).
  • Effective processes to recruit, hire, and retain dedicated, mission and value-oriented members within the learning organization.

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    When selecting a school to host our monthly regional charter school principal consortium meeting, these were the characteristics we looked for and found in Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (CFCI).

    In October, fifteen school leaders visited Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (CFCI) in Wilmington, North Carolina for a day of collaboration and leadership development.
     
    Let’s discuss why CFCI is one great school everyone should visit.