Our High School Story

Sugar Creek Charter School opened its doors in 1999 with the mission and purpose to serve students of color from low wealth communities in grades K-5th grade. In 2006, Sugar Creek expanded to a K-8 campus for which it would remain until 2014. During the 2014-2015 school year, Sugar Creek Charter School expanded yet again and added 9th grade with the strategic plan to develop into a 9-12 high school by 2017.

The Sugar Creek Charter High School began as an idea in which school officials mused over the futures of their students once they graduated from Sugar Creek Charter School in the eighth grade. The inaugural Freshman Open House was held on July 31, 2014, and on August 3, 2014, sixty-five students in yellow shirts and ties pioneered through the hallways towards their academic futures and high school success. However, projected financial strain of building a high school program and the lack of space in the current facility threatened the sustainability of the high school.

As a result, on November 21, 2014, the Board of Directors decided to close the high school after the 2014-2015 school year. Nevertheless, behind the scenes something was brewing amongst the students. TaDarian Morrison, a member of the freshman class, was devising a potential plan to help save the school. TaDarian created a petition that was signed by all students in the 8th and 9th grades, pleading for the Board of Directors to find a way to keep the high school open. Without being prompted by teachers and staff, TaDarian executed his plan and sent an email to the school director, requesting an opportunity for he and some of his classmates to address the Board in regards to their personal feelings about the school’s closure.

TaDarian’s opening speech urged the Board to reconsider their decision to close the school. Kyle Davis, another passionate student, gave a heartfelt speech moving students, teachers, parents, and even Board members to tears.

As a result of the student’s enthusiasm and initiative, board members began to search for alternative solutions to the previous facility and financial barriers in efforts to sustain operation of the high school.

On January 27, 2015, the announcement was made to students in Freshman Seminar: “The Board has reversed the initial decision and have approved the continuation of the high school.” Sugar Creek then proceeded to purchase a building that was renovated and now serves as the official Sugar Creek Charter High School campus.