Scott Milfred

Let’s see:

  • A longer school day and year, with July classes.
  • Higher standards, expectations and school uniforms.
  • Mandated extracurricular activities.
  • Grades for parents based on their involvement at the school.
  • More minority teachers as role models.
  • More connections and internships with local employers.
  • Millions in private fundraising.

If the Madison Preparatory Academy can pull off all of that, how could it not improve the academic success of its largely black and Latino students?
That’s the big picture view Madison should adopt as it considers the Urban League of Greater Madison’s intriguing charter school request. Instead, a disproportionate amount of time and concern has been spent on a final part of the proposal:
Same-sex classrooms.

Related: Much more on the proposed Madison Preparatory Acdemy IB Charter school.