Noble Charter recognized as one of nation’s best charter schools

The Noble Network of Charter Schools received a national honor for improving academic performance in low-income and minority communities just days ahead of a Board of Education vote to allow Noble Academy to expand to a North Side location.

Noble took home the Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools from the Broad Foundation during the National Charter School Conference on Monday. Noble is Chicago’s largest network of charter schools, teaching more than 10,000 students at its 17 campuses. The majority of students are black or Latino and come from low-income households.

Michael Milkie, Noble Network’s CEO and superintendent, said the award helps forward Noble’s efforts.

“I think it’s just one sign of quality and the city is open to more high quality options for families,” Milkie said. “This kind of blessing will give us more credibility.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel echoed this sentiment. “Noble Charter School is unique to the city of Chicago and is providing families across the city with quality educational opportunities that prepares them for college and beyond,” Emanuel said in a statement.

Noble is the first from the Midwest to pick up this award in the four years it has been given. The prize includes $250,000 for college-readiness efforts at the school. Noble administrators say they are offering a total of $50,000 — $10,000 each to the two finalists and three past award recipients to participate in a three-week enrichment program for teachers and administrators.

Noble does not have concrete plans on how exactly it will distribute the remaining money, a school spokesperson said.

Paul Pastorek, a member of the review board that selected Noble, said unlike other finalists, Noble exclusively served high school students, some who may not have had experience with the rigors of charter schools.

“High schools are the most difficult to try to take responsibility for,” Pastorek said. “Especially when you don’t have a feeder system where you’re feeding middle and elementary school students into the system.”