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CHARLESTON, W. Va.–The West Virginia Public Charter Schools Board voted to approve a new business leadership school in the Eastern Panhandle, but put on hold another one with a nursing focus.
West Virginia opened its first four charter schools earlier this year, and another one that has already been approved is taking steps toward opening.
So the M.E.C.C.A. Business Learning Institute in Berkley County, as approved would become the sixth.
State board members held off on another applicant, Workforce Initiative for Nurses (WIN) Academy, to await a more fleshed out proposal. It’s possible the accelerated nursing plan curriculum at the proposed charter school still could receive approval.
The school that was approved, The M.E.C.C.A. Business Learning Institute, hopes to open in Berkeley County for middle- and high school students with a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship and finance. Its application proposes starting for 250 or more sixth and seventh grade students in fall 2024. Over time, the school could grow to 850 students through grade 12.
The name stands for MBEF College & Career Academies. The “MBEF,” in turn, stands for the “Mentoring by Example Foundation,” which is a nonprofit organization working with young people.
“In my opinion, the application team and the prospective governing board bring a lot of experience in the world of education, in school leadership, in school finance,” said James Paul, executive director of the West Virginia Professional Charter Schools Board.