In keeping with Mayor Daley’s Renaissance 2010 plan to open 100 new schools by 2010, the Chicago Board of Education recently announced 18 additional schools for 2008 and 2009.

The board approved 14 new schools to open in 2008 and four schools in the fall of 2009.

CPS Board president Mr. Rufus Williams stated in a press release, “We’re very excited about the truly unique, high-quality education opportunities these schools will give parents and children. We’ve always said that not every child learns the same way, and these schools are an excellent example of just how diverse great learning environments can be.”

The 14 schools approved for 2008 are:

Virtual Opportunities Inside a School Environment (VOISE), a performance school serving grades 9-12. VOISE will open in the fall of 2008 at the Austin high school campus, 231 N. Pine.

Learn Charter School West Garfield Park, a charter school serving grades K-8. Its curriculum will focus on preparing students to be contributing citizens of tomorrow. A location is yet to be determined in West Garfield Park .

American Quality Schools (AQS) Plato Learning Academy, a contract school serving grades K-8. The curriculum incorporates a philosophy that every child has the innate capacity to achieve success through high academic and personal stands. It will open in the Austin Community.

Noble Street Charter High School UIC, a charter school serving grades 9-12. The school will have a college prep curriculum with an emphasis on health and medical fields as part of a partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago. The location will be on West Side near the UIC campus.

Noble Street Charter School Comer Campus, a charter school serving 9-12. It will have a college prep curriculum and will be located in the Greater Grand Crossing area.

Amandia Charter School, a charter school serving grades 5-12 with a college prep curriculum. It will share space with Parker Elementary, 6800 S. Stewart.

Perspectives Chicago Lawn, a charter school serving grades 6-12.

Perspectives Math & Science Academy, a charter school serving grades 6-12. The school will partner with Illinois Institute of Technology at 300 W. Pershing Rd.

University of Chicago, a charter school serving grades 6-8 with a college prep curriculum. It will also serve as a professional development site for teachers, principals and support staff. Location will be at Woodson South Elementary, 4444 S. Evans.

The Academy for Global Citizenship, a contract school serving K-8 students with a curriculum focusing on global citizenship. It will be located at 4101 W. 51st.

Kwame Nkrumah Academy, a contract school serving K-5 students. The school takes its name from the first president of Ghana, Francis Nwia Nkrumah, considered the founder of the Pan-American movement. The school, to be located at 901 E. 95th Street, will have an African-centered curriculum.

Chicago Internation Charter School-Friesse, a charter school serving K-3 students, slated for 9535 S. Throop.

Disney II, a performance school serving K-8 students, location to be determined.

Burroughs II, a performance school serving grades K-8, location to be determined.

The four schools scheduled for 2009 are: Air Force Academy,

Chicago High School for the Arts, LEARN Charter School North Lawndale II and Hope Institute.