By Athanasius U.P. Ohaya
Four years ago, after the office building at the corner of Andrews and Peoria streets in Montbello closed its doors, a new horizon of hope and knowledge sprang up at the building within a few months. It became home to Northeast Academy Charter School (NACS).
Upon walking into Northeast, everyone is greeted by a very cheerful, smiling lady. Alice Rasberry brightens the day, both for young and old. Rasberry has been with the school since it opened its doors, and her calming demeanor shows she is enjoying every minute of her front desk job. She is always eager to assist with a smile and compassion. Some might say she exemplifies the collective fun and friendliness shared at Northeast. 
According to Dr. Thomas D. Bouknight, the principal, the mission of the school is to “implement an academically rigorous and content-rich educational program for grades K-8; work in solid partnership with families, teachers and community members to develop extraordinary students who demonstrate high quality leadership, character and academic success; create a safe and nurturing environment where each student is known and respected, and creativity is cherished.”
Bouknight follows the first principal at the charter school, the late Noami Bradshaw. A Denver native educated in law at Texas State University, Bouknight came to the school in the 2007-2008 school year with a lengthy background in teaching, coaching, and administration in Texas and Colorado schools. His expectations for Northeast include ensuring all students not only graduate, but also go to college and graduate.
“Northeast Academy Charter School was one of 25 charter schools in the nation that own their buildings. Our immediate goals include talking with sponsors and philanthropists in the community to raise $10 million to build a gym and an auditorium at the school property. We also plan to raise our present student population from 390 to 425 for the 2008-2009 school year,” he said.
On the academic success of the school, Bouknight stated it has a very good attendance record, because “We are creating an atmosphere of a place where children want to be, not have to be,” he said.
When asked about the school’s performance on the state CSAP tests in the previous year, the principal appeared a little subdued, but stated, “We are at minimum progress on the last CSAP, due to the loss of the school’s former Principal Noami Bradshaw, whose sudden death had a traumatic effect on the students during the last CSAP period. However,” continued Bouknight, “NACS did better than most Denver Public Schools on last year’s CSAP results.”
“Northeast Academy Charter School takes the education of its children seriously. For instance, each classroom has one teacher and one teacher assistant per 25 students. The school has 27 staff members and three DPS specialized services staff at all times present at the school. There are 13 additional support staff members, also,” he said.
The school has grades 1 through 8 with two classrooms for each grade level, except the 7th grade, which has one classroom. According to the principal, “It’s our goal to double 7th grade next school year. We plan to expand each year and cap at 8th grade if possible.”
The principal stated Northeast’s success is due to its Core Knowledge Program, which teaches seven core subjects to the students each day. They learn mathematics, English language, science, history, geography, arts and technologies.
According to Bouknight, “The greatest challenges facing the school are (1) To make sure that our students acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their educational endeavors, and most importantly, in high school when most students drop out, (2) Competition for students to enroll in NACS which equates to financial constraints to hire the most qualified and experienced educators for our students, (3) Getting the news out about an excellent school Northeast Academy Charter School is.”
Further, the principal wants the public to know about “the quality education the students receive here at the NACS. Northeast Academy Charter School educates the total child, the mind, body, character, and spirit.”
Shared Love Of Teaching And Learning Permeates School
Many teachers are also parents that have students at the school.
Michael Brewer is a 6th-grade teacher, father of three and a graduate of University of Denver, who has been with the school since its inception.
“One of the things I cherish about this school is the love I have for my colleagues and the students. I love the Core Knowledge Program the school has, because it brings out the best in the students. NACS is a place kids get cared for a lot,” Brewer said.
Shaaka Guilbe, who is completing her first year at Northeast, manages the special education program with about 30 children. She tests and works with teachers on the intervention team. She stated it takes an average of four years for a student to gain the skills to transfer from the special education program to the standard classes, but last year, two students did it in one year.
“One of the many things I like about NACS is that it cares. I have worked in many schools in other states, but I enjoy working here most, because of the strong administration personnel and the faculty,” Guilbe asserted.
Rachelle Oliver, a substitute teacher for all grades, has been with the school since November 2007, and loves the class sizes.
“Learning is like a family thing here because the teachers know the students and the students know the teachers. I like the school curriculum and the teachers take their teaching and the students’ welfare seriously here. I never thought I wanted to teach until I came here and now I love to teach. I fell in love with teaching since I came here because NACS students are joy to teach for they all take their education seriously. Isn’t that amazing! I love this school! In addition, Northeast Academy is a continually growing school and we are making positive changes in the community,” she said.
Kiana Curry teaches 2nd graders and has been with the school for four years.
“The children are special and I believe they are my people, and it doesn’t hurt that I love them. Every teacher here teaches seven-core subjects everyday, and every teacher here is here for the children and that makes me very happy. I have two children. My son is in 5th grade and he enjoys it here. My daughter is in high school at Thomas Jefferson High School and wishes NACS had a high school. She would have loved to go here,” Oliver said.
Shanel Holmes, another teacher and parent, said, “I chose to teach here because I love kids and love to teach and the kids love me back. I have been teaching here for two years and have two kids who attend Northeast Academy Charter School. My two older ones go to Rachel B. Noel Middle School and a Christian private school. At NACS, I use various games to solve math problems, do spelling bee exercises and so on, and the kids love it here. I really love working with kids.”
Students seem equally enchanted by Northeast, as exemplified by elementary schoolers who were interviewed.
Michael is a 4th grader, but takes 5th-grade classes because he feels too smart for the 4th grade subjects.
“I love all my teachers. They are awesome and I like their teaching styles and the students are fun and care about one another. I have lots of friends and this is a fun school,” he said.
Destiny is Michael’s younger sister, a first grader. She was equally positive as her brother. Swaying her head sideways, she spoke with broken words: “I love my teachers and they teach us a lot of stuff like spelling, math, drawing and coloring, writing, and many, many other stuff and it’s fun. I have lots of friends, too.”
With a committed school board whose vision is to “…develop a team approach to education: a team composed of teachers, parents and members of the community working together in support of a program of excellence for all of the young scholars entrusted to our care,” Northeast Academy’s progress and future appear to be bright.
The school board members’ commitment to the school and the community, as stated in their mission statement, is, “In this fashion the school will become the center of the community and the hub of activity: a place which, through involvement and community and commitment, will develop in the scholars, a sense of belonging, a spirit of community, and a desire for excellence.”
Athanasius U.P. Ohaya has authored two booksClear Across the Bridge (fiction) and From African Plains to American Ways: New Era Poems. Born in Nigeria, Ohaya is a former teacher at Denver’s Montbello and East High Schools, and presently works as an addictions counselor.
Return To Top |
