New Charter School In El Paso Seeks Student Applicants

A new charter school near Downtown El Paso is accepting applications for its second school year which begins in August.

The El Paso Leadership Academy located just east of Downtown on Texas Street has room for another 50 6th and 7th graders, said Omar Yanar, the school’s CEO.

The school touts individualized attention for each student with teachers tailoring curriculum for each student’s needs and establishing a written, unique plan for each child. “If you are not providing curriculum that’s at their level what you have are major discipline problems, a child that’s going to be continuously lost,” said Yanar.

EPLA receives about $8,500 per student for the academic year, depending on the student’s attendance. EPISD officials said they spend about $8,292 per student for the academic year.

“I’ll put my budget up against anybody’s budget in a minute simply because most large school districts, the overwhelming amount of their budget is spent on overhead for district administration,” said Yanar who added any private donations received by the school are used toward remodeling the nearly 100-year old building where the school is housed.

Crews on Thursday were busy building new classrooms at the building on 1918 Texas Ave.

Teacher unions have been critical of privately run charter schools, saying they take away money from cash strapped school districts.

Yanar contends schools like his teach valuable skills lacking in public education who’s faculty is bogged down “teaching to the test.”

“We are teaching them how to collaborate with one another, how to find and utilize resources, how to public speak effectively and critically question. These are key elements that we think aren’t being taught that should be taught because we think these are ingredients not just for success in college but success in the workplace.”

EPLA also invites business leaders to the classroom to provide feedback to students who develop products and corresponding business plans and environmental impact reports.

The academy also coordinates weeks long internships for the students at El Paso businesses. “Not just to truly understand how what they’re learning in the classroom can be utilized in the real world but to have El Pasoans understand there are opportunities here in El Paso.”