Honors Academy Closes Campuses

AUSTIN � The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has been notified by Farmers Branch-based Honors Academy of its decision to cease operation effective December 1, 2014. Landmark School in Palestine, also known as Leadership Academy, is among seven campuses that will be shutting down. According to a TEA news release, TEA�s revocation of the Honors Academy state charter became effective June 30, 2014. Since the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, Honors Academy has been operating as a de facto private school at its seven campuses and falsely holding itself out as a public charter school, a violation of the Texas Education Code, according to the release.

Commissioner of Education Michael Williams issued the following statement regarding the school�s closure announcement:

�In December 2013, I first announced the proposed revocation of the Honors Academy charter under Senate Bill 2, passed by the Texas Legislature. In May of this year, an administrative law judge upheld my decision to revoke the charter. Leadership at Honors Academy was well aware the revocation became effective on June 30, well before the start of this school year. I review this revocation timeline to clearly note that Honors Academy had an opportunity � and an obligation � to notify students, parents and staff regarding the school�s true status. It did not.

“As a result, the impact is now being felt at seven campuses in seven communities. I will be moving forward with my decision to appoint a board of managers to handle the issues remaining with this former charter school. I have also directed TEA staff to continue working with Honors Academy parents who are now forced to make quick and difficult decisions regarding their child�s education.�