In the 1970s, a New England educator named Ray Budde introduced the concept of "charter schools," an initiative for groups of educators to establish contracts or charters with their local school board to redefine the approaches employed by the education sector. The movement advanced in the 1980s when institutions developed "schools within schools" programs in Philadelphia with the support of Albert Shanker, former president of the American Federation for Teachers. However, it was only in the 1990s that it fully progressed when the State of Minnesota passed the Charter School Law and set up its own Charter program founded on the values of choice, opportunity, and responsibility.
One of the TBP charter school campuses
President George Bush propelled the movement further. By making millions of dollars in grant funds available to public charter schools, they could secure the necessary credit to buy, lease, or renovate facilities to open additional facilities nationwide. The charter school sector has grown significantly since then, serving over three million students in 7,800 schools. Since the first charter law was established over three decades ago, 45 states in the United States now have charter school laws, with almost eight percent of all public school students attending a charter school.
The primary objective of public charter schools is to empower parents with an alternative for their child's education while also creating a competitive environment to motivate local schools to pursue innovation and improvement. Public charter schools are known for numerous benefits, such as enhanced student learning due to smaller class sizes, innovative and forward-looking approaches to teaching and decision-making, and more individualized educational opportunities for students, parents, and educators.
Trinity Basin Preparatory (TBP) is a public, open-enrollment charter school that serves students throughout the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex from Pre-kindergarten to the 12th grade. Since the opening of its first campus in 1999, Trinity Basin Preparatory has successfully expanded from one location in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas to 12 campuses across the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. TBP now provides more than 6,600 students with a safe learning environment where they can receive a rigorous education. TBP believes that every student can achieve excellence, and TBP staff at all levels are dedicated to ensuring their academic success.
TBP school logo
TBP's vision is to provide a preferred choice in education for families across Texas by establishing and maintaining a system of charter schools known for its academic success and financial prowess.
"Our mission is to inspire our students to do more, expect more, and be more, all while providing them a safe, dynamic, and high-impact learning environment,” TBP Deputy Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lesley Austin said, “From the staff to the students, everyone at TBP strives to embody the TITAN core values of Truthfulness, Innovative, Tenacious, Accountable, and Nurturing."
TBP shows its commitment to students through a high-quality curriculum and to educators by providing additional support and assistance in the classroom. At each campus, TBP employs full-time specialists including response to intervention (RTI), instructional coaches (ICs), and student support staff.
TBP’s charter school model allows it to continually funnel more resources into the classroom. Students are offered free breakfast and lunch every day, and campuses are provided with ample supplies to ensure they never run out of core items like copy paper.
TBP’s commitment delivers a high-impact learning environment where teachers are well supported, students are more engaged learners, and parents feel good about their child’s academic opportunities.
TBP students learning outdoors with their teacher
TBP also offers extra programs including Early Childhood Learning, a Tech Prep Program, and after-school enrichment programs which include project-based learning opportunities to help reinforce the same lessons taught in the classroom. These additional programs help nurture each student's unique talents, instill a love of learning in all age groups, and provide extra learning opportunities to help form the educational foundation necessary for student success.
Inside each classroom, students find a supportive and inclusive learning environment. TBP caps its classroom size to no more than 24 students and has an average teacher-to-student ratio of 15:1. This enables teachers to engage with students on a more individual level. Research reports that smaller classes significantly improve early learning, especially in cognitive subjects like mathematics and reading. The positive effects extend to grades four to seven, illustrating improved performance.
All TBP schools extend learning beyond the classroom by incorporating outdoor learning and play space to stimulate imagination, creativity, and growth. Recognizing that it is part of the communities it serves, TBP also partners with several local non-profits like the Dallas Symphony Young Musicians Program, Dallas Youth Sports, Clayton Youth Enrichment, HHM Health, and the Concilio to name a few. These partnerships were developed to help enrich the lives of TBP students and their families.
The sense of community and family at a TBP school is a frequent answer when the district asks parents why they enroll their students. Parents want a safe and nurturing school that’s well-prepared to provide students with a high-quality education, and they find that at TBP schools.
TBP plans to continue growing and thriving as an innovative and well-run public charter school that provides families with a better choice for their child's education. In August of 2024, TBP will open its 13th campus in Arlington, Texas, aligning with its mission to provide a high-quality education while continually doing more to meet the diverse needs of students, educators, families, and the communities it serves.
Media Contact
Name: Seth Phillips
Email: [email protected]
