THRIVE charter school begins work toward August opening

Since receiving approval from the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Thursday to open a new residential charter school, THRIVE founder and executive director Sarah Broome says she’s turned her attention to finding a leader and students for the new school and—perhaps even most crucial—securing funding. “Now the real work begins, and it’s kicking it into high gear,” Broome says. “I wish (getting approval from the school board) would have been the hardest part.” Broome is aiming to have the school—which will also serve as its students’ home for five days a week—open in August with an inaugural class of 20 sixth-graders. A deal is in the works for a physical location and building to house the school, Broome says, but has yet to be finalized. Meanwhile, a national search for an academy leader, who will also serve as one of two teachers at the school for at least the first year, should begin later this month. Partnerships with various local organizations are now being finalized, Broome says, and grant applications continue to be written and submitted. “For our first year we need about $550,000,” Broome says, adding much funding will come from local, state and federal reimbursement programs and grants. “We have submitted enough grants to more than cover that, and we’re still working on more.” When up and running, THRIVE will be one of just a handful of schools in the nation at which students live during the week, then depart for home on weekends. Learn more about THRIVE at its website here. —Steve Sanoski