Proposed Gulen charter schools
last updated Jan 29, 2012
by C.A.S.I.L.I.P.S. - Citizens Against Special Interest Lobbying in Public Schools
Two lists are given here. One is for schools that are still being planned and may open in the future. The other is for schools that never materialized and which appear to be inactive. Note that the list of currently operating schools is given on our companion site.
"If 600 schools are bought this way in the United States – and that’s what the members of the Gulen movement are striving to do, - and if 200 students graduate from each one of these schools, then 120 thousand sympathizers of Turkey join the mainstream out there every year."
- from a column in Turkish newspaper Sabah, May 29, 2010. See Arizona Daily Star journalist Tim Steller's blog for details.
Schools currently being attempted
Current number: 30
Broward Math and Science Schools
State: Florida
Charter corporation: Riverside Science, Inc. (Ferhat Erkan, Renat Shaykhutdinov, Stacey Erbay et al)
Status: application approved Nov 9, 2010, Broward County Public Schools board meeting; Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program Planning, Design and Implementation 2011-2014 $375,000 approved Mar 1, 2011
Website: http://bmsschools.org/
Documents: 2011-12 list
Central Region ES #22 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
Cochran Middle School (proposal to take over existing school)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
Great Lakes Math and Science Academy
State: Illinois
Petitioner: Concept Schools
Article: Dec 27, 2011 ISBE
Contact: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); North Chicago Community Unit School District 187
Harmony School of Excellence - San Antonio
State: Texas
Charter holder: Cosmos Foundation
Status: unknown; construction referred to in Jan 21, 2011 edition of Texas Register in connection with Notice of Public Hearing for Texas Public Finance Authority bonds; school also referred to in Jan 2010 Harmony Public Schools document
Kenilworth Science and Technology High School (expansion of already-existing middle school)
State: Louisiana
Petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Status: denial recommended by NACSA, Dec 2010
Contact: Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sbese@la.gov 225-342-5840
Knoxville Charter Academy
State: Tennessee
Petitioners: Suzan Mertyurek (a.k.a. Suzan Mutlu-Mertyurek, Suzan Mutlu), Leyla Achilova (a.k.a. Leyla Achilov, Leyla Kayumova, Shakhnoz Kayumova, Shahnoz Kayumova)
Charter company: Iris Education Foundation
Status: opening delayed until fall 2012
News articles: July 18, 2011; Nov 11, 2011
Contact: Knox County Board of Education, Terry Alexander, Executive Assistant, 865-594-1630 alexandert@k12tn.net board members shown on website
Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Lola Alapo 865-342-6376
Loudoun Math & IT Academy
State: Virginia
Petitioners: Ali Gokce (Northern Virginia Education Foundation); Necmi Mutlu (Blue Hills Foundation; also affiliated with Virginia International University)
Contact: Loudoun County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Edgar Hatrick
Magnolia Science Academy Milpitas
State: California
Petitioner: Suleyman Bahceci
Charter company: Magnolia Education and Research Foundation
Status: petitioners requested delay of opening until 2012
Contact: Santa Clara County Office of Education (408) 453-6500
Miami-Dade Science Schools
State: Florida
Petitioners: Ali Erbay, Banu Sizirici Yildiz, Omer Zeyrek, Mehmet Yasar Ulutas, Nezih Pala, Yalcin Akin, Dogan Tozoglu
Corporation: Sweetwater Education, Inc
Proposed size: 900 students; budget $4,451,285
Status: Miami-Dade Public School Board voted on Nov 24, 2010
Orlando Science Elementary
State: Florida
Petitioners: charter holders of existing Orlando Science Middle/High School
Status: approved Nov 8, 2011; article in Orlando Sentinel
Contact: Orange County School Board
Pacific Technology School - 8 proposed new branches (under statewide benefit charter)
PacTech-3 East Palo Alto (Sequoia Union High, Ravenswood Elem.) 2009 or 2010
PacTech-4 Oceanside (Oceanside Unified) 2010 or 2011
PacTech-5 Merced (Merced Union High) 2010 or 2011
PacTech-6 Hayward (Hayward Unified) 2011 or 2012
PacTech-7 Bakersfield (Kern Union High) 2011 or 2012
PacTech-8 Chula Vista (Sweetwater Union High) 2011 or 2012
PacTech-9 El Cajon (Grossmont Union High) 2012 or 2013
PacTech-10 Oxnard (Oxnard Unified) 2012 or 2013
State: California
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Palm Beach Science Academy
State: Florida
Lead petitioner: Yasar Burak Savak
Charter company: Palm Beach Science, Inc.
Year: applied and denied in 2007; now trying again. Approval was recommended in 2010 for fall 2011 opening. Applicant requested opening deferred until August 2012.
Contact: Palm Beach County School Board
Documents: application; board meeting; 5-year charter contract
Pelican Excellence Academy, a.k.a. Pelican Excellence K-12 Charter
State: Louisiana
Petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Status: denial recommended by NACSA, Dec 2010
Contact: Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sbese@la.gov 225-342-5840
Pinellas School of Math and Science
State: Florida County: Pinellas
Petitioner: Sirin Coskun
Charter corporation: Galaxy Education Inc
Status: Meeting for deciding approval on Nov 8, 2011 cancelled
Contact: Pinellas County School District Board
South Region ES #5 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
South Region HS #8 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
South Region MS #3 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEESCS)
State: New Jersey
Petitioner: Candemir "John" Toklu (was Board President of Paterson Charter School, another Gulen charter school)
Status: approved; not opening fall 2011
Website: http://www.energysmartschool.org/
Triangle Math and Science Academy
State: North Carolina - Wake County
Petitioner: Kenan Gundogdu
Website: http://tmsacademy.org
News article: Nov 14, 2011; made it to next round Dec 14, 2011; on agenda NC Public Charter School Advisory Council Meeting Jan 11, 2012
Status: Application was given "fast-track" status because petitioner has previous relationship with state. Kenan Gundogdu is/was on board of Triad Math and Science Academy.
Utica Academy of Science Charter School
State: New York
District: Utica City School District
Petitioners: Fehmi Damkaci (lead), Tolga Hayali, Yildiray Yildirim, Birol Ozturk, Patricia Coban
Charter corporation: Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School
Replication of Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School
Status: letter of intent submitted, accepted Jan 2012
Website: http://www.uascs.org
News articles: Jan 16, 2012 Utica Observer-Dispatch; Jan 26, 2012
Washington IT Academy
State: District of Columbia (do not confuse with proposed school of same name in Washington state)
Petitioner: WEDUF - Washington Education Foundation
Website: http://weduf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=75
Westchester Academy of Science
State: New York
District: Yonkers Public School District
Lead Petitioner: Mehmet Ozhabes
Status: Application withdrawn 2009; letter of intent Jan 19, 2011; not approved for proceeding to Phase II; letter of intent submitted and accepted Jan 2012
Schools that never materialized and appear inactive
Applications were submitted for these charter schools, but for some reason the proposed schools have not, to date, materialized. Some applications were rejected and never resubmitted, and some were withdrawn.
Current number: 82
Academy of Milwaukee
State: Wisconsin
Lead petitioner: Tarik Celik
Year: 2006
Allentown Science Academy
State: Pennsylvania
Lead petitioner: Fahrudin Mekic, Riza Ulker, Gazi Abdulhay, Savas Saymaz, et al
Year: 2010; rejected Feb 2011
Website: http://allentownscienceacademy.org/
Banks Elementary (proposed takeover of existing school)
State: Louisiana
Lead petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Charter corporation: Pelican Educational Foundation
Year: 2009
Bay Area Technology School Richmond
State: California
Lead petitioner: Suleyman Bahceci
Year: 2006
Bergen Hope Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioners: Osman Oztoprak, Feyzullah "Feyz" Egriboyun
Year: 2002
Binghampton Academy of Science Charter School
State: New York
Petitioners: Galymahan Kirbassov, Birol Kanik
Year: 2009
Brentwood Academy of Science Charter School
State: New York
Lead Petitioner: Kerim Gulyuz, Muzaffer Ozcelik, Recep Ornek, Cem Kuscu
Year: 2009 (application withdrawn)
Camden Charter School of Achievement
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Riza Ulker
Year: 2009
Cape Fear STEM School
State: North Carolina
Petitioner: Cape Fear Education Services, Inc.
Application: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/charterschools/resources/application/2010/cape-fear-stem.pdf
Status: unknown; application says school will open in fall 2011; presumed inactive
Contact: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction 919-807-3300
Capital Academy Charter School
State: New York
Petitioner: Murat Yuksel
Year: 2004
Capital Academy of Harrisburg / Capital Academy Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioners: Tolga Hayali; Sait Onal; Steve Sablak; Kristin Hines
Year: 2008
City Academy of Science
State: New York
Petitioners: Furkan Kosar, Sinan Asa, Hakan Baydere, Ercan Sevkat, Mehmet Ozbilgin
Year: 2009 (application withdrawn)
City College-Prep Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Lead petitioner: Gem Karaman (a.k.a. Suleyman Karaman, Cem Karaman)
Year: 2005
Clifton Arts and Science Charter School
State: New Jersey
Petitioners: charter holders of Bergen/Passaic Arts and Science Charter Schools
Status: application submitted Oct 2011
Contact: New Jersey Department of Education
News article: Dec 4, 2011 Rejected Jan 20, 2012
College Preparatory Charter School of Springfield
State: Massachusetts
Lead petitioner: Volkan Yesilyurt
Year: 2006
Connecticut Academy for Mathematics and Science
State: Connecticut
Lead petitioner: Ercan ("John") Tozan
Year: 2007
Coral Academy of Science Charter School Carson City
State: Nevada
Petitioners: Fatih Ozer, Feyzi Tandogan
Year: Sep 2010 Jan 2011
Coral Academy of Science - Valley
State: Nevada
Petitioners: unknown
Year: 2010
Crestworth Middle School (proposed takeover of existing school)
State: Louisiana
Lead petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Charter corporation: Pelican Educational Foundation
Year: 2009
Digital Arts and Technology Charter School (DigiTech K-12)
State: New York
Petitioners: Tevfik Kosar (former Pelican Foundation president, involved with Abramson, Kenilworth charter schools in Louisiana), Mikail Kar, Yunus Kumek (Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School NY)
Year: 2011
Discovery Academy of Science Charter School
State: Florida
Petitioner: Mehmet (Fahrettin) Taskan
Year: 2005
Dove School of Excellence
State: Arkansas
Petitioners: Bilal Erturk, Kaan Camuz
Year: 2009
First State Math and Science Academy
State: Delaware
Petitioners: Ahmet Gunay, Mehmet Kemal Kocamaz, Omer Arap, Caglar Batan, Mustafa Ozgan, Fatih Kandil, Ben [Bunyamin] Karaduman, Canan Murat
Year: 2011
Documents: document dated Feb 3, 2011; recommended denial April 1, 2011
Newspaper article: Jan 21, 2011
Garden State Academy Charter School
State: New Jersey
Petitioner: Ahmet Yunus Ozdemir
Year: 2007
Global Sciences Charter School
State: New York
Petitioner: Kevin Donovan (Note: This appears to be a "stealth Gulen school," similar to Quest Charter Academy in Illinois, which appeared to have non-Gulenist petitioners but was taken over by Concept Schools and Engin Blackstone, whose original name is Engin Karatas.)
Year: 2011
History: March 2011, approved to move to next phase; March 31, 2011 lead applicant withdrew
Greenville Palmetto Science Academy
State: South Carolina
Petitioners: Ali Ozer, Guven Yucesan, Mevlut Tascan
Year: 2006
Greenville Science Charter School
State: South Carolina
Petitioners: Ali Ozer, Guven Yucesan, Mevlut Tascan
Year: 2009
Horizon Math and Science Charter School - Des Plaines
State: Illinois
Petitioners: Yuksel Alp Aslandogan, Ibrahim Duyar, Ali Serdar Dalkilic, Yasar Bora, Ergun Koyuncu
Year: 2000
Horizon Math and Science Charter School - Oak Park
State: Illinois
Petitioners: Yuksel Alp Aslandogan, Ibrahim Duyar, Ali Serdar Dalkilic, Yasar Bora, Ergun Koyuncu
Year: 2000
Indiana Life Sciences Academy
State: Indiana
Petitioners: Vedat Akgun, Bulent Bayraktar
Year: 2003
Indiana Science Academy
State: Indiana
Petitioners: Vedat Akgun, Turgay Faki, Ali Korkmaz (Crossroads Educational Services, Inc.)
Year: 2001
IT Academy of Triangle
State: North Carolina
Petitioner: Kenan Gundogdu
Application: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/charterschools/resources/application/2010/it-acad-triangle.pdf
Website: IT Academy of Triangle
Year: 2011
Lancaster Academy of Science
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioners: Sait Onal; Steve Sablak; Tolga Hayali; Kristin Hines; Armagan Korkmaz; Mary Ressler
Year: 2008
Lehigh College-Prep Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioners: Fahrudin Mekic, Savas "Sal" Saymaz, Ali Pilatin (in original 2006 application)
Year: 2006, 2009
Linear Middle School (attempted charter conversion of existing district school)
State: Louisiana
Charter company: Pelican Educational Foundation (with partner Cosmos Foundation)
Year: 2009
Lotus School for Excellence - Longmont
State: Colorado
Website: http://www.longmont.lotusschool.org/
Status: Denied by St. Vrain Valley School District Board of Education, Dec 8, 2010
Denial upheld by Colorado Board of Education March 9, 2011
Loudoun Science Academy
State: Virginia
Corporation: Blue Hills Foundation
Lead petitioner: Hasan Burk (also affiliated with Virginia International University, a Gulenist institution of higher learning)
Year: 2006
Newspaper article: July 5, 2006 "Board requests more information"
Lyceum Charter School Project
State: Pennsylvania
Lead Petitioner: Ihsan Isik
Year: 2002
Mokapu STEM School
State: Hawaii
Petitioners: Kazim Gumus, Adam (Adem) Oksuz
Website: http://www.mokapustemschool.org
Year: 2011
Nashville Academy of Science and Technology
State: Tennessee
Lead petitioner: Ismail Fidan
Year: 2007; 2008 (application rejected)
Nashville Charter Middle School
State: Tennessee
Lead petitioner: Ismail Fidan
Charter company: Nashville Academy, Inc. (has connection to Memphis School of Excellence)
Year: 2006; appealed 2007 (appeal denied)
New Century Charter Public School
State: New Jersey
First attempt
Lead petitioner: Feyzullah Egriboyun
Year: 2005
Second attempt
Lead petitioner: Kemal Aydin
Year: 2009
Received $30,000 grant from New Jersey Department of Education for period Apr 1, 2006 to Sep 30, 2006
New Dimension Math and Science School
State: Texas
Proposed charter holder: New Dimension Educational Foundation
Petitioners: Hasan Coskun, Osman Kanlioglu, Ozgur Ozer
Status: Texas State Board of Education Committee on School Initiatives heard school representatives speak at Generation 15 Charter Interviews September 1-2, 2010
Northeastern Arts and Science Charter School
State: New Jersey
Petitioners: charter holders of Bergen/Passaic Arts and Science Charter Schools
Status: application submitted Oct 2011
Contact: New Jersey Department of Education
News article: Dec 5, 2011 (the school in Ridgefield Park) Rejected Jan 20, 2012
Oconee School of Math and Science
State: Florida
Lead petitioners: Namik Sercan, Ibrahim Demir
Year: 2008
Website: http://www.oconeeacademy.org/
Orange Science Academy
State: California
Petitioners: Ertan Salik, Saken Sherkhanov, Ali Gurel, Adnan Doyuran
Year: 2008
Website: http://www.oconeeacademy.org/
Osceola Universal School
State: Florida
Petitioner: Mehmet Taskan
Charter company: Universal Education Services, Inc.
Year: 2007
Status: denied Oct 24, 2006, appealed, denial of appeal recommended Feb 12, 2007
Pelican Math and Science School
State: Louisiana
Year: 2007
Lead Petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Piedmont IT Academy
State: North Carolina
Petitioners: Ismail Yavuz Sakaoglu, Alper Tekten, Kenan Caglar, Adem Kaya
Status: application submitted Feb 19, 2010 for fall 2011 opening; Preliminary approval August 2010; fast-tracked in 2011; did not make Dec 14, 2011 cut
Contact: Office of Charter Schools, North Carolina State Board of Education (main switchboard 919-807-3300)
Application: click here
Pioneer Technology Public Charter School
State: Oregon
Petitioners: Suleyman “Solomon” Karaman, Murat “Brad” Akbas, Joseph Hurmali, Andy Gokce
Year: 2007
Raritan Arts And Science Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Eylem Icin
Year: 2009
Richmond Science Academy
State: Virginia
Petitioners: Alican Dalkilic, Erhan Yilmaz, Zafer Ugur
Charter company: Richmond Education Foundation
Status: application withdrawn May 2011
Newspaper articles: Oct 4, 2010, May 18, 2011
Riverside Science Academy
State: Florida
Petitioners: Ferhat Erkan, Hasan Kaya, Ibrahim Yildiz, Renat Shaykhutdinov, Stacey Erbay
Charter corporation: Riverside Science, Inc. (see Broward Math & Science Schools above)
Year: 2007; received $25,000 grant 2008-2009
Website: http://www.riversidescience.org/
Rose Science Academy
State: Oregon
Petitioners: Recep Sahin Diril, Tugrul Yanik, Mustafa Keskin
Year: 2000
School of Art Denton
State: Texas
Petitioners: Kudbettin Aksoy, Osman Kanlioglu, Osman Kazan
Proposed charter holder: New Dimension Education Foundation, Inc.
Year: 2007
School of Art Houston
State: Texas
Petitioners: Kudbettin Aksoy, Osman Kanlioglu, Osman Kazan
Proposed charter holder: New Dimension Education Foundation, Inc.
Year: 2007
Science Academy of Erie Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioner: Mehmet Malcok
Year: 2007-8
Sequoia Academy of Science
State: California
Petitioner: Adnan Doyuran, Dialog Foundation
Year: 2006
Sonoran Science Academy - Oro Valley
State: Arizona
Status: charter approved late 2009; no visible activity
Sonoran Science Academy - Flagstaff
State: Arizona
Status: charter approved late 2009; no visible activity
South Region Middle School #2A (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
South Region Middle School #2C (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
South Region High School #2, LAUSD
State: California
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Year: 2011
Status: Letter of intent; not shown on this list of successful charter applicants Mar 23, 2011
South Region High School #4, LAUSD
State: California
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Year: 2011
Status: Letter of intent; not shown on this list of successful charter applicants Mar 23, 2011
Staten Island Fusion Charter School
State: New York
Lead Petitioner: Zafer Akin (board member, Brooklyn Amity School; TCCNY)
Charter corporation: Apple Education Services
Year: 2011, planned opening fall 2012
Status: letter of intent only; no longer active
Universal Charter School
State: Florida
Petitioner: Mehmet Taskan
Year: 2010, appeal denied
Valley Region Elementary School #7 (Magnolia Science Elementary) (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
Documents: proposal; review
Valley Region Elementary School #9 (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
Valley Region Elementary School #10 (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
Wake Math and Science Academy
State: North Carolina
Lead petitioner: Kenan Gundogdu
Year: 2009
Website : http://www.wmsacharter.org/
Union Science Academy Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Fatih Oncul
Year: 2005
Wayne Science and Technology Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Ms. [sic] Nihat Guvercin
Year: 2009
Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Bellefont (actual name unknown)
State: Pennsylvania
Lead petitioner: Bulent Tarman
Year: 2006
9 schools in Memphis area; names not released to public
State: Tennessee
Petitioners: Willie Herenton, Cosmos Foundation (TX)
Status: denied Oct 2011; resubmission planned for Nov 2011; rejected Oct 25, 2011
News articles: Oct 3, 2011; Oct 27, 2011
by C.A.S.I.L.I.P.S. - Citizens Against Special Interest Lobbying in Public Schools
Two lists are given here. One is for schools that are still being planned and may open in the future. The other is for schools that never materialized and which appear to be inactive. Note that the list of currently operating schools is given on our companion site.
"If 600 schools are bought this way in the United States – and that’s what the members of the Gulen movement are striving to do, - and if 200 students graduate from each one of these schools, then 120 thousand sympathizers of Turkey join the mainstream out there every year."
- from a column in Turkish newspaper Sabah, May 29, 2010. See Arizona Daily Star journalist Tim Steller's blog for details.
Schools currently being attempted
Current number: 30
Broward Math and Science Schools
State: Florida
Charter corporation: Riverside Science, Inc. (Ferhat Erkan, Renat Shaykhutdinov, Stacey Erbay et al)
Status: application approved Nov 9, 2010, Broward County Public Schools board meeting; Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program Planning, Design and Implementation 2011-2014 $375,000 approved Mar 1, 2011
Website: http://bmsschools.org/
Documents: 2011-12 list
Central Region ES #22 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
Cochran Middle School (proposal to take over existing school)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
Great Lakes Math and Science Academy
State: Illinois
Petitioner: Concept Schools
Article: Dec 27, 2011 ISBE
Contact: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); North Chicago Community Unit School District 187
Harmony School of Excellence - San Antonio
State: Texas
Charter holder: Cosmos Foundation
Status: unknown; construction referred to in Jan 21, 2011 edition of Texas Register in connection with Notice of Public Hearing for Texas Public Finance Authority bonds; school also referred to in Jan 2010 Harmony Public Schools document
Kenilworth Science and Technology High School (expansion of already-existing middle school)
State: Louisiana
Petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Status: denial recommended by NACSA, Dec 2010
Contact: Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sbese@la.gov 225-342-5840
Knoxville Charter Academy
State: Tennessee
Petitioners: Suzan Mertyurek (a.k.a. Suzan Mutlu-Mertyurek, Suzan Mutlu), Leyla Achilova (a.k.a. Leyla Achilov, Leyla Kayumova, Shakhnoz Kayumova, Shahnoz Kayumova)
Charter company: Iris Education Foundation
Status: opening delayed until fall 2012
News articles: July 18, 2011; Nov 11, 2011
Contact: Knox County Board of Education, Terry Alexander, Executive Assistant, 865-594-1630 alexandert@k12tn.net board members shown on website
Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Lola Alapo 865-342-6376
Loudoun Math & IT Academy
State: Virginia
Petitioners: Ali Gokce (Northern Virginia Education Foundation); Necmi Mutlu (Blue Hills Foundation; also affiliated with Virginia International University)
Contact: Loudoun County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Edgar Hatrick
Magnolia Science Academy Milpitas
State: California
Petitioner: Suleyman Bahceci
Charter company: Magnolia Education and Research Foundation
Status: petitioners requested delay of opening until 2012
Contact: Santa Clara County Office of Education (408) 453-6500
Miami-Dade Science Schools
State: Florida
Petitioners: Ali Erbay, Banu Sizirici Yildiz, Omer Zeyrek, Mehmet Yasar Ulutas, Nezih Pala, Yalcin Akin, Dogan Tozoglu
Corporation: Sweetwater Education, Inc
Proposed size: 900 students; budget $4,451,285
Status: Miami-Dade Public School Board voted on Nov 24, 2010
Orlando Science Elementary
State: Florida
Petitioners: charter holders of existing Orlando Science Middle/High School
Status: approved Nov 8, 2011; article in Orlando Sentinel
Contact: Orange County School Board
Pacific Technology School - 8 proposed new branches (under statewide benefit charter)
PacTech-3 East Palo Alto (Sequoia Union High, Ravenswood Elem.) 2009 or 2010
PacTech-4 Oceanside (Oceanside Unified) 2010 or 2011
PacTech-5 Merced (Merced Union High) 2010 or 2011
PacTech-6 Hayward (Hayward Unified) 2011 or 2012
PacTech-7 Bakersfield (Kern Union High) 2011 or 2012
PacTech-8 Chula Vista (Sweetwater Union High) 2011 or 2012
PacTech-9 El Cajon (Grossmont Union High) 2012 or 2013
PacTech-10 Oxnard (Oxnard Unified) 2012 or 2013
State: California
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Palm Beach Science Academy
State: Florida
Lead petitioner: Yasar Burak Savak
Charter company: Palm Beach Science, Inc.
Year: applied and denied in 2007; now trying again. Approval was recommended in 2010 for fall 2011 opening. Applicant requested opening deferred until August 2012.
Contact: Palm Beach County School Board
Documents: application; board meeting; 5-year charter contract
Pelican Excellence Academy, a.k.a. Pelican Excellence K-12 Charter
State: Louisiana
Petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Status: denial recommended by NACSA, Dec 2010
Contact: Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sbese@la.gov 225-342-5840
Pinellas School of Math and Science
State: Florida County: Pinellas
Petitioner: Sirin Coskun
Charter corporation: Galaxy Education Inc
Status: Meeting for deciding approval on Nov 8, 2011 cancelled
Contact: Pinellas County School District Board
South Region ES #5 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
South Region HS #8 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
South Region MS #3 (proposal under Public School Choice 3.0 program)
State: California (Los Angeles Unified School District)
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz, Erdinc Acar, Mekan Muhammedov
Status: Letter of intent submitted March 31, 2011
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEESCS)
State: New Jersey
Petitioner: Candemir "John" Toklu (was Board President of Paterson Charter School, another Gulen charter school)
Status: approved; not opening fall 2011
Website: http://www.energysmartschool.org/
Triangle Math and Science Academy
State: North Carolina - Wake County
Petitioner: Kenan Gundogdu
Website: http://tmsacademy.org
News article: Nov 14, 2011; made it to next round Dec 14, 2011; on agenda NC Public Charter School Advisory Council Meeting Jan 11, 2012
Status: Application was given "fast-track" status because petitioner has previous relationship with state. Kenan Gundogdu is/was on board of Triad Math and Science Academy.
Utica Academy of Science Charter School
State: New York
District: Utica City School District
Petitioners: Fehmi Damkaci (lead), Tolga Hayali, Yildiray Yildirim, Birol Ozturk, Patricia Coban
Charter corporation: Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School
Replication of Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School
Status: letter of intent submitted, accepted Jan 2012
Website: http://www.uascs.org
News articles: Jan 16, 2012 Utica Observer-Dispatch; Jan 26, 2012
Washington IT Academy
State: District of Columbia (do not confuse with proposed school of same name in Washington state)
Petitioner: WEDUF - Washington Education Foundation
Website: http://weduf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=75
Westchester Academy of Science
State: New York
District: Yonkers Public School District
Lead Petitioner: Mehmet Ozhabes
Status: Application withdrawn 2009; letter of intent Jan 19, 2011; not approved for proceeding to Phase II; letter of intent submitted and accepted Jan 2012
Schools that never materialized and appear inactive
Applications were submitted for these charter schools, but for some reason the proposed schools have not, to date, materialized. Some applications were rejected and never resubmitted, and some were withdrawn.
Current number: 82
Academy of Milwaukee
State: Wisconsin
Lead petitioner: Tarik Celik
Year: 2006
Allentown Science Academy
State: Pennsylvania
Lead petitioner: Fahrudin Mekic, Riza Ulker, Gazi Abdulhay, Savas Saymaz, et al
Year: 2010; rejected Feb 2011
Website: http://allentownscienceacademy.org/
Banks Elementary (proposed takeover of existing school)
State: Louisiana
Lead petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Charter corporation: Pelican Educational Foundation
Year: 2009
Bay Area Technology School Richmond
State: California
Lead petitioner: Suleyman Bahceci
Year: 2006
Bergen Hope Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioners: Osman Oztoprak, Feyzullah "Feyz" Egriboyun
Year: 2002
Binghampton Academy of Science Charter School
State: New York
Petitioners: Galymahan Kirbassov, Birol Kanik
Year: 2009
Brentwood Academy of Science Charter School
State: New York
Lead Petitioner: Kerim Gulyuz, Muzaffer Ozcelik, Recep Ornek, Cem Kuscu
Year: 2009 (application withdrawn)
Camden Charter School of Achievement
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Riza Ulker
Year: 2009
Cape Fear STEM School
State: North Carolina
Petitioner: Cape Fear Education Services, Inc.
Application: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/charterschools/resources/application/2010/cape-fear-stem.pdf
Status: unknown; application says school will open in fall 2011; presumed inactive
Contact: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction 919-807-3300
Capital Academy Charter School
State: New York
Petitioner: Murat Yuksel
Year: 2004
Capital Academy of Harrisburg / Capital Academy Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioners: Tolga Hayali; Sait Onal; Steve Sablak; Kristin Hines
Year: 2008
City Academy of Science
State: New York
Petitioners: Furkan Kosar, Sinan Asa, Hakan Baydere, Ercan Sevkat, Mehmet Ozbilgin
Year: 2009 (application withdrawn)
City College-Prep Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Lead petitioner: Gem Karaman (a.k.a. Suleyman Karaman, Cem Karaman)
Year: 2005
Clifton Arts and Science Charter School
State: New Jersey
Petitioners: charter holders of Bergen/Passaic Arts and Science Charter Schools
Status: application submitted Oct 2011
Contact: New Jersey Department of Education
News article: Dec 4, 2011 Rejected Jan 20, 2012
College Preparatory Charter School of Springfield
State: Massachusetts
Lead petitioner: Volkan Yesilyurt
Year: 2006
Connecticut Academy for Mathematics and Science
State: Connecticut
Lead petitioner: Ercan ("John") Tozan
Year: 2007
Coral Academy of Science Charter School Carson City
State: Nevada
Petitioners: Fatih Ozer, Feyzi Tandogan
Year: Sep 2010 Jan 2011
Coral Academy of Science - Valley
State: Nevada
Petitioners: unknown
Year: 2010
Crestworth Middle School (proposed takeover of existing school)
State: Louisiana
Lead petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Charter corporation: Pelican Educational Foundation
Year: 2009
Digital Arts and Technology Charter School (DigiTech K-12)
State: New York
Petitioners: Tevfik Kosar (former Pelican Foundation president, involved with Abramson, Kenilworth charter schools in Louisiana), Mikail Kar, Yunus Kumek (Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School NY)
Year: 2011
Discovery Academy of Science Charter School
State: Florida
Petitioner: Mehmet (Fahrettin) Taskan
Year: 2005
Dove School of Excellence
State: Arkansas
Petitioners: Bilal Erturk, Kaan Camuz
Year: 2009
First State Math and Science Academy
State: Delaware
Petitioners: Ahmet Gunay, Mehmet Kemal Kocamaz, Omer Arap, Caglar Batan, Mustafa Ozgan, Fatih Kandil, Ben [Bunyamin] Karaduman, Canan Murat
Year: 2011
Documents: document dated Feb 3, 2011; recommended denial April 1, 2011
Newspaper article: Jan 21, 2011
Garden State Academy Charter School
State: New Jersey
Petitioner: Ahmet Yunus Ozdemir
Year: 2007
Global Sciences Charter School
State: New York
Petitioner: Kevin Donovan (Note: This appears to be a "stealth Gulen school," similar to Quest Charter Academy in Illinois, which appeared to have non-Gulenist petitioners but was taken over by Concept Schools and Engin Blackstone, whose original name is Engin Karatas.)
Year: 2011
History: March 2011, approved to move to next phase; March 31, 2011 lead applicant withdrew
Greenville Palmetto Science Academy
State: South Carolina
Petitioners: Ali Ozer, Guven Yucesan, Mevlut Tascan
Year: 2006
Greenville Science Charter School
State: South Carolina
Petitioners: Ali Ozer, Guven Yucesan, Mevlut Tascan
Year: 2009
Horizon Math and Science Charter School - Des Plaines
State: Illinois
Petitioners: Yuksel Alp Aslandogan, Ibrahim Duyar, Ali Serdar Dalkilic, Yasar Bora, Ergun Koyuncu
Year: 2000
Horizon Math and Science Charter School - Oak Park
State: Illinois
Petitioners: Yuksel Alp Aslandogan, Ibrahim Duyar, Ali Serdar Dalkilic, Yasar Bora, Ergun Koyuncu
Year: 2000
Indiana Life Sciences Academy
State: Indiana
Petitioners: Vedat Akgun, Bulent Bayraktar
Year: 2003
Indiana Science Academy
State: Indiana
Petitioners: Vedat Akgun, Turgay Faki, Ali Korkmaz (Crossroads Educational Services, Inc.)
Year: 2001
IT Academy of Triangle
State: North Carolina
Petitioner: Kenan Gundogdu
Application: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/charterschools/resources/application/2010/it-acad-triangle.pdf
Website: IT Academy of Triangle
Year: 2011
Lancaster Academy of Science
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioners: Sait Onal; Steve Sablak; Tolga Hayali; Kristin Hines; Armagan Korkmaz; Mary Ressler
Year: 2008
Lehigh College-Prep Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioners: Fahrudin Mekic, Savas "Sal" Saymaz, Ali Pilatin (in original 2006 application)
Year: 2006, 2009
Linear Middle School (attempted charter conversion of existing district school)
State: Louisiana
Charter company: Pelican Educational Foundation (with partner Cosmos Foundation)
Year: 2009
Lotus School for Excellence - Longmont
State: Colorado
Website: http://www.longmont.lotusschool.org/
Status: Denied by St. Vrain Valley School District Board of Education, Dec 8, 2010
Denial upheld by Colorado Board of Education March 9, 2011
Loudoun Science Academy
State: Virginia
Corporation: Blue Hills Foundation
Lead petitioner: Hasan Burk (also affiliated with Virginia International University, a Gulenist institution of higher learning)
Year: 2006
Newspaper article: July 5, 2006 "Board requests more information"
Lyceum Charter School Project
State: Pennsylvania
Lead Petitioner: Ihsan Isik
Year: 2002
Mokapu STEM School
State: Hawaii
Petitioners: Kazim Gumus, Adam (Adem) Oksuz
Website: http://www.mokapustemschool.org
Year: 2011
Nashville Academy of Science and Technology
State: Tennessee
Lead petitioner: Ismail Fidan
Year: 2007; 2008 (application rejected)
Nashville Charter Middle School
State: Tennessee
Lead petitioner: Ismail Fidan
Charter company: Nashville Academy, Inc. (has connection to Memphis School of Excellence)
Year: 2006; appealed 2007 (appeal denied)
New Century Charter Public School
State: New Jersey
First attempt
Lead petitioner: Feyzullah Egriboyun
Year: 2005
Second attempt
Lead petitioner: Kemal Aydin
Year: 2009
Received $30,000 grant from New Jersey Department of Education for period Apr 1, 2006 to Sep 30, 2006
New Dimension Math and Science School
State: Texas
Proposed charter holder: New Dimension Educational Foundation
Petitioners: Hasan Coskun, Osman Kanlioglu, Ozgur Ozer
Status: Texas State Board of Education Committee on School Initiatives heard school representatives speak at Generation 15 Charter Interviews September 1-2, 2010
Northeastern Arts and Science Charter School
State: New Jersey
Petitioners: charter holders of Bergen/Passaic Arts and Science Charter Schools
Status: application submitted Oct 2011
Contact: New Jersey Department of Education
News article: Dec 5, 2011 (the school in Ridgefield Park) Rejected Jan 20, 2012
Oconee School of Math and Science
State: Florida
Lead petitioners: Namik Sercan, Ibrahim Demir
Year: 2008
Website: http://www.oconeeacademy.org/
Orange Science Academy
State: California
Petitioners: Ertan Salik, Saken Sherkhanov, Ali Gurel, Adnan Doyuran
Year: 2008
Website: http://www.oconeeacademy.org/
Osceola Universal School
State: Florida
Petitioner: Mehmet Taskan
Charter company: Universal Education Services, Inc.
Year: 2007
Status: denied Oct 24, 2006, appealed, denial of appeal recommended Feb 12, 2007
Pelican Math and Science School
State: Louisiana
Year: 2007
Lead Petitioner: Tevfik Kosar
Piedmont IT Academy
State: North Carolina
Petitioners: Ismail Yavuz Sakaoglu, Alper Tekten, Kenan Caglar, Adem Kaya
Status: application submitted Feb 19, 2010 for fall 2011 opening; Preliminary approval August 2010; fast-tracked in 2011; did not make Dec 14, 2011 cut
Contact: Office of Charter Schools, North Carolina State Board of Education (main switchboard 919-807-3300)
Application: click here
Pioneer Technology Public Charter School
State: Oregon
Petitioners: Suleyman “Solomon” Karaman, Murat “Brad” Akbas, Joseph Hurmali, Andy Gokce
Year: 2007
Raritan Arts And Science Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Eylem Icin
Year: 2009
Richmond Science Academy
State: Virginia
Petitioners: Alican Dalkilic, Erhan Yilmaz, Zafer Ugur
Charter company: Richmond Education Foundation
Status: application withdrawn May 2011
Newspaper articles: Oct 4, 2010, May 18, 2011
Riverside Science Academy
State: Florida
Petitioners: Ferhat Erkan, Hasan Kaya, Ibrahim Yildiz, Renat Shaykhutdinov, Stacey Erbay
Charter corporation: Riverside Science, Inc. (see Broward Math & Science Schools above)
Year: 2007; received $25,000 grant 2008-2009
Website: http://www.riversidescience.org/
Rose Science Academy
State: Oregon
Petitioners: Recep Sahin Diril, Tugrul Yanik, Mustafa Keskin
Year: 2000
School of Art Denton
State: Texas
Petitioners: Kudbettin Aksoy, Osman Kanlioglu, Osman Kazan
Proposed charter holder: New Dimension Education Foundation, Inc.
Year: 2007
School of Art Houston
State: Texas
Petitioners: Kudbettin Aksoy, Osman Kanlioglu, Osman Kazan
Proposed charter holder: New Dimension Education Foundation, Inc.
Year: 2007
Science Academy of Erie Charter School
State: Pennsylvania
Petitioner: Mehmet Malcok
Year: 2007-8
Sequoia Academy of Science
State: California
Petitioner: Adnan Doyuran, Dialog Foundation
Year: 2006
Sonoran Science Academy - Oro Valley
State: Arizona
Status: charter approved late 2009; no visible activity
Sonoran Science Academy - Flagstaff
State: Arizona
Status: charter approved late 2009; no visible activity
South Region Middle School #2A (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
South Region Middle School #2C (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
South Region High School #2, LAUSD
State: California
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Year: 2011
Status: Letter of intent; not shown on this list of successful charter applicants Mar 23, 2011
South Region High School #4, LAUSD
State: California
Petitioners: Suleyman Bahceci, David Yilmaz
Charter corporation: Magnolia Public Schools
Year: 2011
Status: Letter of intent; not shown on this list of successful charter applicants Mar 23, 2011
Staten Island Fusion Charter School
State: New York
Lead Petitioner: Zafer Akin (board member, Brooklyn Amity School; TCCNY)
Charter corporation: Apple Education Services
Year: 2011, planned opening fall 2012
Status: letter of intent only; no longer active
Universal Charter School
State: Florida
Petitioner: Mehmet Taskan
Year: 2010, appeal denied
Valley Region Elementary School #7 (Magnolia Science Elementary) (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
Documents: proposal; review
Valley Region Elementary School #9 (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
Valley Region Elementary School #10 (LAUSD, School choice proposal for new school)
State: California
Petitioner: Magnolia Schools
Year: unknown; before Jan 2010
Status: awarded to another applicant
Wake Math and Science Academy
State: North Carolina
Lead petitioner: Kenan Gundogdu
Year: 2009
Website : http://www.wmsacharter.org/
Union Science Academy Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Fatih Oncul
Year: 2005
Wayne Science and Technology Charter School
State: New Jersey
Lead petitioner: Ms. [sic] Nihat Guvercin
Year: 2009
Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Bellefont (actual name unknown)
State: Pennsylvania
Lead petitioner: Bulent Tarman
Year: 2006
9 schools in Memphis area; names not released to public
State: Tennessee
Petitioners: Willie Herenton, Cosmos Foundation (TX)
Status: denied Oct 2011; resubmission planned for Nov 2011; rejected Oct 25, 2011
News articles: Oct 3, 2011; Oct 27, 2011
