The Apprentice Academy, a charter school in the Charlotte area, abruptly closed this past weekend, leaving 160 students without a school and parents scrambling for solutions. The closure was announced just after students had completed their first week of classes.
The school principal and chairman of the board cited several reasons for the sudden decision, including a recent visit from the fire marshal’s office that revealed the school’s certificate of occupancy (CO) had expired.
“It is with a heavy heart that we write to you today to share some deeply difficult news regarding the future of Apprentice Academy,” Principle Barry Ross said in a press release. “After much deliberation, the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the school administration, has made the painful decision to surrender our charter and permanently close the school”.
Additionally, the school faced a significant drop in enrollment, with only 160 students remaining—far below the numbers needed to sustain operations. This decline, according to school officials, reflected a loss of community confidence in the school as a viable choice.
As part of the closure, the Apprentice Academy has surrendered its charter license. School staff will be available later this week to assist families of current and former students. Office hours are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. During these sessions, staff will collect school-issued computers, issue parking refunds, and provide transcripts.
The unexpected closure has left many families in the area seeking alternative educational options for their children as the school year begins.
