#United States #Miami #Impact Awards #Building Hope #charter schools

Building Hope Unveils Semi-Finalists for 2025 IMPACT Awards

On January 23, 2025, Building Hope, a prominent nonprofit organization offering facilities, financing, and services to charter schools, announced the selection of 40 exemplary semi-finalists for their prestigious 2025 IMPACT Awards. These awards celebrate charter schools across four significant categories: Community Engagement, Educational Innovation, Student Empowerment, and the distinguished S. Joseph Bruno Model Charter Award.

The Award Selection Process

In total, Building Hope received nearly 200 applications from 41 states and Washington, D.C., showcasing the remarkable work being undertaken by charter schools nationwide. Each application was meticulously evaluated by a panel of judges, considering measurable impacts, innovative educational strategies, and robust community involvement.

The 10 semi-finalists selected in each category exemplify innovation, leadership, and a resolute commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities for students. According to Building Hope’s President and CEO, Bill Hansen, "Education has the power to transform lives and uplift communities. We are honored to recognize these schools that are truly inspiring the next generation of leaders."

Semi-Finalist Categories and Highlights

S. Joseph Bruno Model Charter Award

1. Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North High School, Laurel, MD
2. Columbus Preparatory Academy, Columbus, OH
3. East Mountain High School, Sandia Park, NM
4. Maya Angelou Schools, Washington, D.C.
5. Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science, Wilson, NC
6. South Florida Autism Charter School, Hialeah, FL
7. SouthTech Schools, Boynton Beach, FL
8. Toledo School for the Arts, Toledo, OH
9. University High School, Fresno, CA
10. Yinghua Academy, Minneapolis, MN

Community Engagement Award

1. Austin Achieve High School, Austin, TX
2. Bultum Academy, Columbia Heights, MN
3. Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Chattanooga, TN
4. Island Montessori Charter School, Wilmington, NC
5. Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School, Baltimore, MD
6. Marco Island Charter Middle School, Marco Island, FL
7. Middleburg Community Charter School, Middleburg, VA
8. DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach, Kapolei, HI
9. Phoenix International School of the Arts, La Plata, MD
10. Suncoast School for Innovative Studies, Sarasota, FL

Educational Innovation Award

1. Autism Model Community School, Toledo, OH
2. Baxter Academy, Portland, ME
3. Beta Academy, Houston, TX
4. District of Columbia International School, Washington, D.C.
5. Le Monde International School, Norman, OK
6. Mālama Honua Public Charter School, Waimanalo, HI
7. New Mexico School for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM
8. Reaching All Minds STEM Academy, Durham, NC
9. The Academy of Arts & Knowledge, Fort Collins, CO
10. The Birches Academy of Academics & Art, Salem, NH

Student Empowerment Award

1. Avalon School, St. Paul, MN
2. CICS Longwood High School, Chicago, IL
3. Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, Kansas City, MO
4. Laura Jeffrey Academy, St. Paul, MN
5. Liberty STEAM Charter School, Sumter, SC
6. Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies, Elizabeth City, NC
7. Polaris Charter Academy, Chicago, IL
8. Technology Leadership High School, Albuquerque, NM
9. The Greene School, West Greenwich, RI
10. YouthBuild McLean County, Normal, IL

What Lies Ahead

Following this announcement, the pool of semi-finalists will be further narrowed down to 20 finalists, anticipated to be revealed in February 2025. A dedicated Selection Committee will conduct interviews with these finalists, ultimately naming three winners in each category by March.

The awards ceremony will occur during the Building Hope IMPACT Summit, scheduled for May 6-7 in Miami. Winning leaders will not only receive monetary grants—$40,000 will be allocated to each category with further breakdowns of grant amounts—but will also present their impactful initiatives during the summit, gaining invaluable recognition and networking opportunities in their field.

For over three years, Building Hope has provided substantial financial support, totaling $440,000, to honor schools and individual leaders in the charter sectors. To find out more about the IMPACT Awards and summit registration, you can visit Building Hope's official website: www.buildinghope.org/impact/awards.

About Building Hope

Building Hope is a dedicated nonprofit organization striving to enhance education quality by working closely with charter schools. From creating excellent facilities to facilitating financing and real estate development, Building Hope champions the notion that no child should face barriers that keep them from a superior educational experience. Over the past 21 years, the group has successfully supported the development of over $1 billion in school facilities, continuously advocating for educational transformation across the nation.