Birmingham charter school gets conditional approval after lowering enrollment target

The Alabama Public Charter School Commission conditionally approved Birmingham's Freedom Prep Charter School after reducing enrollment targets. (Carbonero Stock via Getty Images)

A proposed charter school in Birmingham won conditional approval Tuesday to begin operations.

The Alabama Public Charter School Commission voted to extend the approval after reducing Freedom Prep Charter School’s enrollment targets and extending a deadline to meet them.

Roblin J. Webb, Freedom Prep’s CEO and founder, requested to adjust enrollment to 75 kindergarten students for the 2024-25 school year, down from 80 required by contract. There are 56 students currently enrolled.

“We want to make sure everyone understands that we have full transparency in anything that you all ask,” Webb said to the commission.

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Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools is based in Memphis, where it operates five schools. According to its website , it aims to provide college preparation . The Birmingham school would be its first location in Alabama.

The commission granted the request and extended the deadline to reach the enrollment target to Sept. 3.

But during the meeting, commission members expressed concerns about the school’s ability to meet enrollment and cover potential financial shortfalls. Members asked whether the school could be financially stable with a lower threshold for enrolled students.

Each student generates approximately $7,500 in school funding from the state, according to Logan Searcy, executive director of the commission. Commissioners wanted to ensure that Freedom Prep could maintain educational standards even if enrollment numbers fell short.

Webb said Freedom Prep provided financial documents, including an Alabama bank account statement,  and told the commission they are ready to cover any shortfall.

The commission emphasized the importance of ensuring that students have access to all necessary resources to receive a high-quality education.

Freedom Prep in Birmingham missed its enrollment deadline for the upcoming school year on July 15. The commission had previously approved changes to the school’s charter contract, including adjustments to the enrollment plan and facilities. The school had 50 students enrolled, falling short of the required 80 students needed by the July deadline.

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