Two new charter schools are slated to open in Tucson this fall.
The Arizona State Board of Charter Schools approved the applications on Jan. 14 for Model Community Learning Center and The Rising School, according to board documents.
The two schools were among seven across the state the board approved.
Both schools plan to bring rigorous, college-prep curriculums to low-income areas of the city.
Model Community Learning Center officials are looking to open the school in a neighborhood near the Tucson International Airport, said Pamela Clark-Raines, a president of StrengthBuilding Partners, the nonprofit organization that will operate the school.
The school will focus on developing each student's strengths, whether it's writing, math, art or athletics, Clark-Raines said.
StrengthBuilding Partners has worked with individual schools and school districts in building individual strengths since it was founded in 1999, she said.
"When kids are honored for their strengths, they do better," she said.
The school will begin serving sixth through ninth grades before eventually expanding to 12th grade.
Rising Schools describes itself as a "high-quality college-prep" school that will prepare its students for college and "21st century" careers, according to board documents.
The school's principles include strong leadership, skilled teachers and personal attention to students, board documents state.
The school will likely target students in midtown, near East Grant Road and North Campbell Avenue.
The school will also serve sixth- through ninth-grade students before expanding to 12th grade.
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Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or 573-4115. On Twitter: @JamarYounger
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