12/12/2025
On Tuesday, December 9th, Monroe Charter Academy's seven-year effort to provide a high-quality classical education for children in Monroe and Union County came to a close. The state's Charter School Review Board (CSRB) voted that day to close the school, principally due to the sudden loss of the school's physical facility at New Living Word Missionary Baptist Church, and the impossibility of finding another, suitable facility within an acceptable time frame.
MCA had been operating at New Living Word on a temporary Educational Certificate of Occupancy (ECO) while efforts were being made to bring the church’s well up to the standards required for a permanent ECO. In October, after spending a great deal of time, effort, and money in that endeavor and reaching the final stage of the process, the leadership of New Living Word informed MCA that New Living Word had decided not to complete the ECO application process. As a result, when the temporary certificate of occupancy expired on November 18th, the school had no choice but to vacate the premises and conduct all instruction in virtual mode.
Dr. Ford and I appeared before the CSRB on November 17th to request permission to move to a different facility and to explain our plans to deliver instruction on-line in the meantime. The CSRB voted unanimously to allow the move.
An alternative school facility was quickly identified, and work was immediately begun to acquire an ECO there. However, it became apparent that this would probably have taken until about mid-February, and charter schools are generally allowed to operate as virtual schools for only five days out of any given school year. By the time of MCA’s appearance before the CSRB on December 9th, the school had already exceeded that limit. As a result, the CSRB had no choice but to close the school.
The faculty, staff, and board of MCA are deeply saddened to see the school close. We know that many of the families who have followed us for so long and given so much to the school they loved are heartbroken as well. Dr. Ford and I are determined to do all we can to help those families find the best, most appropriate schools for their children. We’ll also assist teachers and staff as they seek out the best way forward in their professional careers. And finally, to all those in the community who supported the efforts of our little school over the years, we wish to express our deepest gratitude.
