A place of Achievement and success

Carlos Rosario International Charter School: A place of achievement and success

By Andilis Galvez

Thursday Sep 15, 2011 12:00pm EDT

Carlos Rosario International Charter School in Washington D.C was the first charter school in the nation specifically for adult education and recognized by the Middle States Association of Colleges and schools. Since the year 1970, the Carlos Rosario School has been known as a model of excellence according to Candy Hernandez. The founders Alison Kokkoros, and CEO, Sonia Gutierrez provide exceptional courses for students to enhance their educational skills in learning. 

The purpose of the school is to provide students with an excellent education and give them access to services that will help them outside of the classroom. The mission statement of the school is to “provide education that prepares the diverse adult immigrant population of Washington, DC to become invested, productive citizens, and members of American society,” said Candy Hernandez. This goal and mission of the school is reinforced daily by faculty members to ensure that each student is actively learning is provided with the necessary skills to succeed in life. In recognition of hard work and determination, the school commemorated Sonia Gutierrez, CEO for forty years of excellent service. In the year 2002, the building at 1100 Harvard Street opened with a ground breaking celebration said Gigi Alvarado, administrative aid worker.

People from different countries and backgrounds have enrolled in the School to learn English, attain a general equivalency degree (G.E.D), and become professionals in the field of culinary arts. The school offers an array of classes with the purpose of teaching courses by a group of notable faculty. For example, the school has forty-two educators with advanced degrees. It offers educational training to fit students’ schedules. Classes are offered in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.  

The school consistently offers supportive services to help students in need and each school year provides programs such as school wide workshops, immigration counseling, leadership training, and much more. Additionally, according to Hernandez, the school also ensures that students participate in life-long learning sessions with programs such as the reading, computer, and homework clubs. After working for more than ten years, programs such as counseling “covers student necessity,” said Hernandez.   

The school has a student government association program which consists of elected student leaders. The student selected to represent the student body carries a role of an active citizen that sets the priorities of other students by giving feedback in projects and addressing issues presented during the semester period.

 In addition to the student government association program, the school has tutors available during the evenings to help with those struggling in a course such as English. With the tutoring support students are able to study and learn more. As stated by Martha Pleshaw, the human resource manager, “the school is a positive and caring institution.” The student government association program according to Pleshaw has teachers that work with students to ensure a positive learning experience.      

The Carlos Rosario School as a whole commits to assist students academically and prepare them to become professionals in their desired field of study.