Charter School of Excellence seeks room to grow

A record number of twenty-five charter school applications have been submitted for consideration to the Hillsborough County school district in Florida. Among them are applications for a middle and high school to complement the existing elementary school program at the Community Charter School of Excellence in Tampa. Led by Charles Malatesta, the academy is thriving and needs room to grow.

Community Charter School of Excellence, which opened in August 2008 at 10948 Central Ave. currently serves about 250 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The Leona Group LLC, has applied for a middle school and a high school, which would be open to any student in the district.

Principal Charles Malatesa said parents have requested the additional grades.

"They want their children to stay in the same school for K to 8," Malatesa said, adding that the middle school of 132 students would be on the current campus. The high school would be nearby, perhaps on Busch Boulevard or Fowler Avenue, and serve up to 550 students.

Jenna Hodgens, the district's charter school supervisor, said the Hillsborough County School Board will vote on which to approve at its Dec. 7 meeting. Prior to the vote, applicants will make presentations to and have an interview with a review team. That group makes a recommendation to the superintendent who can approve the work or change it before moving the list forward to the board.