Fountain Hills Charter School President, Doug Pike, sent an email to FHCS families on Jan. 16, updating them on the Charter’s School’s grade appeal process.

The school was originally slated to receive an “F” grade for the previous school year, which was immediately contested. The Charter School argued that circumstances outside of its control, including shifting administration and personnel, contributed to poor results for the previous school year.

“We were very pleased when the State School Board notified the State Superintendent in December of the approval of our appeal of our school letter grade,” Pike said. “In our appeal we recommended that Fountain Hills Charter School be awarded a ‘D.’ The Board supported that.”

Pike went on to explain that FHCS requested a D grade because of the resources that are made available to D-rated schools for improvement.

“The grade also acknowledges that we are all aware that we can and should do better,” Pike said. “We know that the instructional environment has improved and we are so pleased with our staff and their efforts to accomplish this.”

Pike concluded the email by announcing that the Charter School was working with the Arizona Department of Education on an action plan, which will be shared at a public meeting in early April.