San Diego Unified School District Board members chose Downtown Charter High School to occupy two floors of the new downtown library. The library and school are scheduled to open in 2013. The proposed charter beat out three existing schools for the space.
Downtown Charter’s board of directors chairman, Mel Katz, is also leading efforts to raise private donations for the new library building. Katz said theirs is the only program built around the opportunities the library location provides.
“Our school was designed specifically for the library and downtown," he said. "We developed the concept after research and interviewing different parents, downtown education leaders, community and business leaders.”
Part of that design is a requirement for students to complete career exploration activities and internships with downtown businesses and non-profits.
Downtown Charter beat out Health Sciences High & Middle College, King Chavez Community High School and Einstein Charter Middle School.
Representatives from King Chavez told board members their demonstrated ability to attract students and perform well academically should have carried more weight in the decision process.
