Excellence has been the motivation at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science & Technology since it opened in 1995.  Dr. King Charter School continues to forge ahead with quality teaching that balances research-based practices with a vital need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students.

The Friends of King School received a charter agreement to operate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School in April, 2006.  This charter status afforded the staff an opportunity to continue to provide quality education to all students and to involve the community in the operation of the school.  In the twelve years of existence, King School exceeded its growth targets each year.  Currently, the School Performance Score (SPS) is 85.9%, earning two stars.

Located in the lower ninth ward section of the City of New Orleans, King serves as a “beacon of hope” in the community.  This area was heavily devastated during Hurricane Katrina.  The school sustained considerable damage.  However, collaborative efforts among the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE), the State Department of Education (Recovery School District), the City of New Orleans, The Friends of King School, State and Local Officials, the Lower Ninth Ward Community, parents and staff, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School reopened with 98% of its’ pre-Katrina staff in August, 2007, with over 700 persons in attendance.

The cries of the community, coupled with the “wanting” to continue to nourish and provide a quality education beyond the 8^th grade level, are the factors that are propelling The Friends of King School to undertake such an ambitious project.  Adding grades 9^th-12^th to the existing charter will allow for endless opportunities to increase student achievement.  The request is to add a grade each year with the 9^th grade beginning August, 2008.  Input for this decision was gathered through a community survey, discussion with over 100 parents and community groups and meetings with local and state leaders.

Anticipating an increasing need for a high-quality charter high school in the lower ninth ward section of New Orleans, this school will offer additional choices for parents.  Despite the obvious need for the high school, the school’s curriculum will be rigorous, coherent, and organized to teach the skills and knowledge needed for students to succeed in college and beyond.    The curriculum will integrate the theory and practice to prepare students for success in an  information based technologically society.  The data from the first year of the charter revealed promising results.

Dr. King Charter School has received national and international recognition throughout the years.  This exemplary school has been named Outstanding Title I School in Louisiana and the COMER School of the year many times.  The school has been featured on “Date Line” and “CNN” discussing the “Heart Smart” program.