Launch Party Is Planned for New Downtown Elementary School

Momentum is building for a new academically rigorous charter school in Downtown Kansas City by the fall semester of 2012, including plans for a launch party on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Crossroads Academy of Kansas City is designed to be a tuition-free elementary charter school in Downtown. The Crossroads Academy mission is to prepare students to excel in high school by providing an academically rigorous K-8 education. The school’s vision is to be the premier urban school serving Kansas City’s youth and a destination for other educators seeking inspiration and best practices. The school is projected to open in fall 2012 with 140 students in grades K-6.

The last several months have been very eventful for the school, founded in July 2011 by experienced charter school leaders Dean Johnson and Tysie McDowell-Ray. In recent months, the University of Central Missouri voted to sponsor Crossroads Academy; an outstanding group of educators has been convening on a regular basis to design and write the Crossroads Academy curriculum; and the Downtown Council’s Education Committee voted to endorse the school.

Crossroads Academy ended the year on a high note, as it reached it’s initial fundraising goal of $100,000!  That feat has fueled the school with the resources to hire its first staff members and to launch full-scale student recruitment activities.

To celebrate these accomplishments and to further prepare for the coming school year, the Community Outreach Task Force, a dedicated group of parent and neighborhood volunteers, is planning the Crossroads Academy Launch Party on Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-12 noon at Studio B; 2016 Main Street. Parents seeking to enroll their children and everyone interested in elevating public education in Downtown Kansas City is encouraged to attend!

For more information visit http://www.crossroadsacademykc.org