New Movement Charter school opening in West Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC– “Clearly something is not working right now in our city when children born into poverty are not able to escape that generational cycle,” said Movement Foundation Chairman, Casey Crawford.

And that’s exactly what former Panther Casey Crawford says the foundation he started, the Movement Foundation wants to do with its new charter school. With a $12 million donation, they chose the West side of town for a new elementary charter school for a  reason.

“We looked at Sugar Creek, a great incredible charter school having fabulous success on the Northeast side of town, They had 1200 students and actually had a 500 kid waiting list,” said Crawford.

Many of those 500 were kids from West Charlotte.  Movement School Director Jamie Sumter says the parent response was so fast, they are already maxed out at 305 students.. and are themselves now on a waiting list

“About 80-85 % of the students we are serving coming directly from within a five miles radius, our transportation plan is within a five-mile radius,” said Sumter.

The charter school will not only prepare the students academically but also focus on character development starting in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, then each year they will add a grade through middle school.

“It’s easier to get them to be successful when we’re young rather than trying to get them back on track once they’re older,” said 1st-grade teacher, Raheem Roberts.