Concept Schools

Concept Schools is a nonprofit management and consulting organization based in Chicago supporting the development of urban science-focused charter schools in the Midwestern United States.

The group currently manages 30 tuition-free science, technology and math-focused schools in 7 Midwest states. Serving about 13.000 students, Concept-managed schools are located in urban areas in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri.^[1] Out of 9500 students, 82% are minority and 81% come from economically disadvantaged families. 8% of the students have special education services and 5% are English language learners.

Concept schools have experienced some legal troubles in 2014. Schools in 3 states have been raided by the FBI. In total, 19 search warrants were executed by the FBI on June 4, 2014. Nothing was founded and no further action has been taken.^[2]

Schools operated

Awards

Horizon Science Academy Cleveland and Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School received National Blue Ribbon Awards from the U.S. Department of Education in 2009 and 2012, respectively.^[3]

Controversies

Connections to the Gulen Movement

The Concept Schools have known links to the Gulen Movement.^[4] Both the schools and Concept Schools Vice President Salim Ucan appear in the 2014 documentary Love is a Verb, which details the history and activities of the movement. However, Ucan denies any connection between Concept Schools and the Gulen movement in the film.

School Conditions

Concept was banned from opening a school in Chicago's South Side Chatham neighborhood after it was determined that the site they planned to use was in deplorable condition. Building inspectors cited the leaky roof, mold, and asbestos laden floor tiles as unsuitable for children.

“Mold is visibly evident throughout many of the classrooms. The mold and mildew is so bad, that a handful of the classrooms cannot be accessed due to the noxious, overwhelming, suffocating scent,” an inspector wrote for CPS officials in July 2014.^[5]

FBI Investigations

In June 2014, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Education, and Federal Communication Commission conducted joint raids on 19 Concept schools in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio for "allegations of white collar crime," according to FBI spokesperson Vicki Anderson. However, Chicago Math and Science Academy spokesperson Irene Bermudez stated, "I have absolutely no idea what they are looking for."^[6]

References

1. ↑ Concept Schools Member Schools
2. ↑ http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/fbi-raids-concept-schools-illinois-2-other-states/tue-06102014-557pm
3. ↑ "National Blue Ribbon Schools Recognized 1982-2015" (PDF). National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. U.S. Department of Education. 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2016-05-25. 
4. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-charter-schools-tied-to-powerful-turkish-imam/
5. ↑ http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/leaky-roof-mold-asbestos-found-concept-schools%E2%80%99-chatham-site/sun-08242014-823pm
6. ↑ "Concept Schools Raided by Feds". DNAinfo Chicago. Retrieved 2016-05-24. 

External links

• Concept Schools website
• The list of all the schools in operation.
• Concept Schools Official Blog