Charter School to Close at School Year's End

Citing poor test scores, the State Board of Education has decided not to renew the charter for Raleigh-based Sparc Academy

When asked about the board's decision Thursday afternoon, school administrators told WRAL they were unaware of it.

Parents at the school said they were also unaware.

One father said he was upset with the decision because he was happy with the school. Another said she had been unhappy with the school and has been looking for an alternative.

Sparc Academy opened in 1998 and has more than 130 students in grades kindergarten through eight.

The school's Web site says "SPARC Academy was founded on the vision of Raleigh Educator, Jackie Mburu." It explains that the school is "an offshoot of Mrs. Mburu’s summer program SPARC (Summer Program of Academics and Recreation for Children)."