For Immediate ReleaseMedia Contact:

September 21, 2010Lynn Norman-Teck

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

305-216-6208

SOMERSET ACADEMY ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS QUALITY STANDARDS AWARD

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools will present the Gold Seal of Excellence award

to school leaders on Monday, October 4

BROWARD COUNTY, FL, October 1, 2010 -- Somerset Academy Elementary Charter School in Pembroke Pines, a public charter school in Broward County, will receive the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Gold Seal of Excellence Award on Monday, October 4. The award recognizes charter schools for high student achievement and demonstrating exemplary standards of operation – including parent involvement, staff retention, financial management and governing board performance. The Gold Seal of Excellence award ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. in the elementary school courtyard.Students, faculty and parents, along with State Representative Matt Hudson, will participate in the event.

Somerset Academy Elementary Charter School is ranked among the top performing schools in Broward County. Located at 20801 Johnston Street in Pembroke Pines, the campus is home to Somerset Academy elementary, middle and high school and the Somerset Academy Arts Conservatory.

The Gold Seal of Excellence program was launched in 2008 by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools, the state’s premier charter school association, in an effort to recognize quality charter schools and encourage school leaders to share best practices. In order to maintain Gold Seal status, award winning charter schools are required to mentor other charter schools who seek assistance.

Charter schools are public schools that are permitted to be innovative yet held strictly accountable for academic achievement and financial performance. Charter school students are required to participate in federal and state accountability programs, such as FCAT and No Child Left Behind. More importantly, public charter schools allow parents to be involved decision-makers in their children’s education. Charter schools have been a vital component of Florida’s public education system since 1997.

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 85% of all operating charter schools. Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

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