School District is recommending closing three charter schools; students want one to stay open

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - This could be the last school year for three charter schools.

The Palm Beach County School District said the schools are not making the grade.

The students at Leadership Academy West wrote letters to take the district Wednesday.

Each letter tells a story.

"I came from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School," Geana Stweart said. "I struggled there."

Another student wrote of her issues.

"I was in the wrong crowd fighting a lot, in gangs, failing grades and cutting out of school," the senior said.

Both of their lives turned for the better, they say when they went to Leadership Academy West.

"Here I am today a senior about to graduate in two months," one student's letter said.

"They gave me the help I needed and now I have a 3.5 GPA," Stewart said.

Wednesday, the Palm Beach County School District is discussing the possibility of shutting down the 150 student school.

They also want to shut down Excel Leadership Academy and My Choice Academy.  

"If they close down the close down all the classes I'm currently taking all the help I had will be going down the drain," Stewart said.

My Choice Academy already closed their school by moving out of the Riviera Beach church where they were located.

They owe the Palm Beach County School District $60,000 according to district documents.

District documents list more than a dozen reasons Leadership Academy West should close.

The reasons included a F grade for the school, not having reading a s the primary focus and not having a scientific based curriculum.

Documents regarding Excel Leadership Academy said they don't have a documented reading program either nor a science teacher.

Administrators at Leadership Academy West and Excel Leadership Academy both didn't want to speak on camera to NewsChannel 5.

Despite the citations, some parents want at least Leadership Academy West to stay open.

"I don't think they should close the school because the kids are growing here they're doing well here," parent Rhonda Marshall said.

Other parents disagreed, stating the school isn't good and should close.

Wednesday, the school board will make their decision.