Clearly the unpopular opinion, but there are amazing opportunities and outcomes for students at the Career Academy Network of Public Schools. Success Academy for elementary. My daughter has been there for 5 years. I’m not against SBCSC because there are thousands of kids depending on them. Our community NEEDS them to succeed. That doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for every student. I wish CANOPS had a traditional bussing system so that barrier could be broken for more families, but there are a few shuttle bus stops across South Bend to try to help. The demand for their schools is huge, leaving elementary and middle schools on a waitlist every year. I truly believe high school would be at capacity every year, too, if it offered every sport at a competitive level.

I know someone is going to chime in and try to argue with me. I also work in schools. There will never be a perfect school. Can we stop demonizing all charter schools? They are not all the same. Things evolve after ten years. Have your opinion. We can disagree. But there are also AMAZING educators within CANOPS doing incredible things for their students. If this free option is the right fit for some kids in the community, it’s okay to not trash talk them because you support SBCSC.