"Our track record in helping raise student achievement and closing the achievement gap is the best in the industry," said John Chubb, Edison's chief education officer.

"It is clear that our charter school partners appreciate the results we are delivering," added Joe Keeney, president of Edison Charter Schools. "As the charter school movement evolves, many more existing charter schools are approaching us to implement our comprehensive school reform model."

Edison Charter Schools will be working in a number of new schools this fall:

·Confluence Academy in St. Louis, MO will be opening a new Walnut Park campus that will ultimately serve approximately 1,000 students in grades K-8.

·Ben Ross Public School Academy in Warren, MI will be opening a new school serving grades K-7 in September.

·Christel House Academy, one of the original charter schools in Indianapolis, IN has entered into a management agreement with Edison.

·The Community Governing Board of the Green Valley Ranch/Montbello communities in Denver, Colorado, in collaboration with the Foundation for Educational Excellence and Edison Schools, will be opening the Omar D. Blair School - an Edison K-8 Charter School to serve approximately 800 students.

·Renaissance Advantage Charter School in Philadelphia, PA entering into its sixth year of operation, is considering a prospective agreement with Edison for the management of its K-8 charter school.

Edison has a number of charter schools that are undertaking significant site expansions in 2004-2005, including:

·Harriet Tubman Charter School in Bronx, NY will be expanding its campus and doubling its enrollment.

·Milwaukee Urban League Academy of Business and Economics in Milwaukee, WI will be adding a new middle school campus.

·Friendship Public Charter School in Washington DC, (which repaid a $16 million loan to Edison, last fall, upon completion of an investment grade-rated bond offering) is building a new middle school at its Woodridge campus.

·Confluence Academy is expanding its original Old North St. Louis campus.

Several Edison charter schools are anticipating significant enrollment increases this fall:

·Derrick Thomas Academy in Kansas City, MO is expanding to serve grades K-7.

·Renaissance Academy-Edison Charter School in Phoenixville, PA is expanding to serve grades K-12.

·Charter School for Applied Technologies in Tonawanda, NY is expanding to serve grades K-9.

·Marianna Bracetti Academy in Philadelphia, PA is expanding to serve grades 6-12.

Edison is also pleased to announce several charter school contract renewals:

·Edison Oakland Public School Academy in Ferndale, MI entered into a new five-year management agreement with Edison.

·Westport Allen-Edison Village Charter School in Kansas City, MO has extended its existing management agreement with Edison.

·YMCA Service Learning Academy in Detroit, MI plans to enter into a new multi-year agreement with Edison to provide educational services.

According to its recently released Sixth Annual Report of School Performance, Edison-managed schools improved levels of proficiency by an average one-year gain rate of seven percentage points. This rate of improvement is two to three times the gain rates at comparable schools and districts.

Edison's role in the charter school movement is nationally recognized. Jeanne Allen, president of the Washington D.C.-based Center for Education Reform noted, "Edison Schools are at the forefront of the nation's fastest growing innovation in public school reform. They are a shining example of how innovation and accountability can translate into high achievement for our kids." Edison charter school clients also praise Edison's performance. "Strong, academically focused charter schools provide a valuable and necessary alternative for children in urban areas," said Confluence Academy (St. Louis, MO) Board President Susan Uschitelle. "The Edison education model provides this outstanding alternative."

Board President Mark Schug of the Milwaukee Urban League Academy of Business and Economics, added his praise. "We are delighted that our students are doing so well and continue to improve academically. This is the result of the combined efforts and dedication of our staff, educators, parents, and students using the Edison design."

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