Independence Charter wins national prize

Independence Charter School submitted its first application for a prestigious Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize for Excellence in International Education five years ago.

Yesterday, the Center City school with an international focus became the first charter school in the nation to receive the award.

"We see it as a wonderful affirmation of our high level work in an urban school," said Jurate Krokys, chief executive officer and founding principal.

The school, at 1600 Lombard St., has 732 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It was a finalist last year.

While Krokys traveled to New York City to receive the award during a luncheon yesterday at the Asia Society's office, the students celebrated the school's success on the playground. In recognition of the charter's perseverance, the festivities included a visit from a character dressed as Rocky Balboa.

The award, which comes with a $25,000 check, recognizes achievement in schools and organizations that promote cultural awareness, world history, and a global curriculum. Independence won in the elementary-middle school category, which is presented to a single public or private school.

"Given the current financial situation, our students will need a new set of skills to succeed. They will need to be internationally fluent, compassionate, and comprehensive," Stephanie Bell-Rose, president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, said in a statement. "These award recipients are equipping the next generation of leaders with the critical international knowledge and skills they will need to lead successfully in our global society."

Independence, which opened in 2001, integrates world cultures, traditions, literature, geography, economics, and history in the curriculum. The school offers language instruction in Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic. Forty percent of the students participate in a daily program in which instruction is entirely in Spanish.

Independence plans to use the prize money to support and expand after-school programs, provide training for teachers, and explore creating a leadership forum or institute in international studies that would draw together area leaders from education, the arts, and the business community, Krokys said.