MONONA, Wis. — In two weeks’ time, ninth- and tenth-graders at One City Schools will attend their final classes at the charter school before being reassigned to half a dozen other schools in the area.
Officials from One City Schools told parents Thursday the charter school is shutting down operations for students in those two grades at the end of the semester on Jan. 20 due primarily to staffing shortages. Starting Jan. 23, 51 of the roughly 60 affected students will start classes in one of six schools within the Madison Metropolitan School District.
The school launched its preparatory academy in September with students in grades 6, 9 and 10, but founder and CEO Kaleem Caire said many teachers left this year, forcing the school to double up classes with staff.
“We could see our staff was getting tired, people weren’t complaining because we do have a lot of committed people here,” Caire said. “They’re working their tails off and doing a great job, but we just knew we couldn’t sustain that.”
Students in other grades will continue attending classes as they have been.
Caire said he hopes the school can resume its ninth- and tenth-grade programs in 2025.
MMSD Superintendent Dr. Carlton Jenkins said the district will hold an all-day orientation on Friday to begin the transition.
During a meeting Thursday night, emotions ran high among parents who said they chose One City Schools because of the problems their kids were having in MMSD schools.
School officials plan to release more information about the move on Friday.
RELATED: One City Schools expanding with $14M donation
In 2021, the school received a $14 million donation from philanthropist and American Girl founder Pleasant T. Rowland to buy and renovate its now-home on the WPS Health Solutions campus in Monona.
News 3 Now photojournalist Sydney Martin contributed to this report.
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