WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderNew charter school holds open house

New charter school holds open house

By Marissa Alter

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Rockford's newest charter school gives the public a first look at how the school will operate when it opens this August. About 50 people showed up to CICS Patriots' first open house.

The school still needs to do some upgrades and order furniture but tonight was a chance for prospective parents and students to learn about the school's academics, get a feel for the culture, and ask questions.

CICS Patriots will be a college prep model. It'll open as a K-4 school this fall, then expand to K-5 the following year. Principal Charo Chaney says they hope about 270 students to enroll with class size 25-27.

The school's parent organization, CICS,  operates 13 campuses in Chicago. That's CHaney has spent a lot of time over the past year training. She grew up in Rockford and went through District 205 schools.

Chaney says CICS Patriots will be more individualized instruction with a focus on values and how to treat other people. Curriculum includes everyday mathematics, hands-on science, and making sure all kids read at least at their grade level.

There's another open house March 11 at Patriots' Gateway from 5 pm-7 pm. The school's accepting application through April 4. It's open to anyone entering K-4 this fall in District 205. Applications are available at the open house or online at www.chicagointl.org/parents/applicationinformation.