This article features Lafayette Academy Charter School in New Orleans, Louisiana, which was recognized by the state board of education as a "center of excellence" in 2010, and given an automatic renewal of its charter--the only school in the state to receive this honor. The school has demonstrated impressive progress: the 2007 test…

Inspiring students to become teachers and community leaders is a goal of Douglas Taylor School's leadership team. A feeling of continuity and connection are important to the school, which opened in the 19th century. Housed in a beautiful old school building in Chicago's South Side, Douglas Taylor School contains grades preK-8. To maintain the…