Concept Schools


Concept Schools is a nonprofit charter management organization that provides education through a network of charter schools.
The group currently manages thirty-one tuition-free science, technology and math-focused schools in seven Midwest states. Serving about 13,000 students, Concept-managed schools are located in urban areas in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri. Out of 9500 students, 82% are minority and 81% come from economically disadvantaged families. 8% of the students have special education services and 5% are English language learners.
In 2014 schools run by Concept in three states were been raided by the FBI. In total, nineteen search warrants were executed by the FBI on June 4, 2014.

Schools operated

Horizon Science Academy Cleveland and Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School received National Blue Ribbon Awards from the U.S. Department of Education in 2009 and 2012, respectively.

Controversies

Connections to the Gulen Movement

The Concept Schools have known links to the Gulen Movement and its schools. Both the schools and Concept Schools Vice President Salim Ucan appear in the 2014 documentary Love is a Verb, which details the history and activities of the movement. However, Ucan denies any connection between Concept Schools and the Gulen movement in the film.

School Conditions

Concept was banned from opening a school in Chicago's South Side Chatham neighborhood after it was determined that the site they planned to use was in deplorable condition. Building inspectors cited the leaky roof, mold, and asbestos laden floor tiles as unsuitable for children.
“Mold is visibly evident throughout many of the classrooms. The mold and mildew is so bad, that a handful of the classrooms cannot be accessed due to the noxious, overwhelming, suffocating scent,” an inspector wrote for CPS officials in July 2014.

FBI Investigations

In June 2014, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Education, and Federal Communications Commission conducted joint raids on 19 Concept schools in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio for "allegations of white collar crime," according to FBI spokesperson Vicki Anderson. However, Chicago Math and Science Academy spokesperson Irene Bermudez stated, "I have absolutely no idea what they are looking for."