Patriot Preparatory Academy

CHARTER'S TIES TO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DRAW STATE SCRUTINY; November 8, 2010; Columbus Dispatch (OH) 
Out went the private Liberty Christian Academy. In came the public Patriot Preparatory Academy, a charter school in the same location with many of the same students and teachers. The state says the new school has changed enough to receive tax money.

A new charter school has the same founder, is staffed by many of the same teachers and attended by many of the same students as a private Christian school that previously used its East Side building…

The state was worried that Patriot Preparatory Academy really was the private Liberty Christian Academy masquerading as a charter school. Was the school (initially to be called Liberty Preparatory) trying to collect taxpayer money illegally when it really should be collecting tuition?

No, says executive director David McIlrath: Patriot is an all-new public school, and any links to the private school are superficial…

(McIlrath's wife, LaVonne, is the administrator of Liberty Christian. The private school downsized to just its Pataskala campus.)

David McIlrath has high hopes for the new charter school. McIlrath, who wears cowboy boots, carries a yardstick as he walks the school hallways and has spent the past several years living part time on a Wyoming ranch, said he runs the school with an air of "old-time tradition."

"Everything about it is like the public school was in the 1940s," he said. "I think it's going to rock the charter-school world in terms of (test) scores. I've got the best dang staff in the world."

In its letter to Patriot before school started this year, the Education Department made a suggestion: Consider a motto that was more gender-neutral than its proposed "Because It's Easier to Build a Boy Than Mend a Man."

The school went with two: "No excuses" and "Git 'er done."

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Authorities searched for a missing Ohio student off the coast of Costa Rica today after two of his classmates drowned when they were caught in a violent riptide.

The three teens...are all high school students at Patriot Preparatory Academy, a Christian charter school [emphasis added] in Columbus, Ohio. They, along with other classmates, were on a school sponsored missionary trip and were swimming at a beach near the Pacific coast town of Parrita...

16 comments:

D.S. said...

You are being ridiculous. I was a student of LCA and graduated from there in '09. I just went to visit, and they are doing great things. How about you visit a place before you go knocking it publicly.

Also, they are following the rules to the "T." I personally know those who are in leadership roles, and they are men and women of great character.

Don't believe everything you read.

The Perimeter Primate said...

This site simply compiles news articles.

D.S. said...

I understand that it's a news article, but by posting it on a website that claims scandals, you are passing judgment that there is wrongdoing...

The Perimeter Primate said...

Perhaps you can contact the Columbus Dispatch to set them straight, too.

Anonymous said...

wat the crap, u idiot y did u put this skool on a crappy page like this, this is the crappiest thing ive ever seen ur sendin a bad message about our skool n u know nuthin about, actually know sumthin about skool, b4 u post crap about it

Anonymous said...

wat the crap u idiot, this is the crappiest thong ive ever seen, how cn u post ceap about our skool n know nuthin about it, know sumthin about the skool b4 u post crap about it

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, If your spelling and grammar is any indication of your education received there, I certainly think you are a major underachiever.

Anonymous said...

I've been going to the new PPA for a while now and trust me we have all been through alot in the last 2 years. But, please don't make it worse by posting something like that. It wasn't a "scandal." They had their reasons. So, please no more of this nonsense.

The Perimeter Primate said...

From http://abcnews.go.com/US/ohio-teens-drown-costa-rica-missionary-trip-missing/story?id=13535719#.TuUoc_I8enI

"...Patriot Preparatory Academy, a Christian charter school..."

This implies that public funds are being used to support a religious school, something which is strictly illegal. Perhaps the ABC News reporter should be contacted and asked why he/she wrote such a thing.

Anonymous said...

Folks, do not trust the McIlaths! Do some investigating and you will find that they are crooked! This is exactly what the article states! Who owns the Liberty Christian, and who is getting money for the building, furniture, etc? You guessed it, the McIlraths! For the sake of your public funds, and kids, keep digging for the facts.

Anonymous said...

nah i spell like dis bcuz i want 2 if all u can think of as a comeback is a riff on my spelling its obvious u never went 2 skool in da 1st place u idiot i can tell your an idiot who tries 2 act smart but has an i.q. of a squirrel i dont care bout how i spell online especially 2 idiot like u. u have no facts actually get real facts b4 u accuse someone u idiot

Anonymous said...

this is a great school and all this is not necessary at all. this school has a lot of great integrity and it will remain that way. there are no scams going on.....i go to this school and have since 08' and this school sure still has alot of teachers from before but does that make it bad or a scam because teachers need jobs too..DUHH....if this was a scam Jesus would have shut this down along time ago...

#just_sayin

Anonymous said...

You are absolutely ridiculous‼ This school is the best decision that I could have made for my son. Groveport Madison did absolutely nothing to assist my son in his academic abilities considering his challenge with ADHD and ODD. Mr's Peterson and Mr. Tucker had their hands full with him, but he was very blessed to have them in his life to pull him through with honors, that's right, all A's‼ They have their hands full with all the students and they ensure only the best for each and every one of them.
They uphold their morals and integrity to the utmost highest and instill it in the students where your typical public schools only worry about education and couldn't give a crap about instilling morals and ethics.
If your child is blessed to be accepted into this school, it's just that, BLESSED‼ It's an honor to attend this school, NOT a scandal sir. Be absolutely sure that you know what you speak of before opening your mouth and spreading slander.

gretta said...

I am a former student at liberty christian academy and patriot prep ..there is nothing wrong with it. it is a great school. The only reason people are making a big deal about the school is the fact that is used to be a christian school. So, it is ok for muslims to have prayers in the middle of class; but christians cant????and this is the land of the free??? double standards..OH by the way, the U.S. was founded on christian belifes..and as far as the mission trip is concerned, we went there to help those in need. God's will was done. I was there, my boyfriend and classmates died. If we didnt have God in our school, we would never had made it through.And He is stilling carrying us through. PPA will also be a school that have christian beliefs, and there is nothing wrong with that. None of the students are forced into doing anything they do not want to do. So, to all the people that are trying to bring the school down, well, it is not going to happen. If God is us, so who can be against us?

Anonymous said...

For the sake of reputation, speaking as someone who attended this school from kindergarten until my junior year, the staff and administration did, and continue to do an excellent job preparing children and young adults for success.
The relationships that are created in this small school setting are lifetime-lasting, and I still remain in contact with many of the current and former teachers and administrators.
While nothing can be perfect, and the critics seem to forget that yes- even Christians are human, and should be granted some grace, the leadership this school continues to provide will help change Columbus.
As someone who grew up in a strange family, with weak values, I learned about love and community and acceptance from the staff.
To intentionally take this staff and put them in a public school setting is probably one of the most ingenious and immeasurable gifts the McIlrath's could bestow on Columbus Public Schools.
The teachers here do NOT get paid a ton of money, but test scores soar. Do you know what this tells me? It says that you don't keep a job like this just to pay the bills- you do it because you're called to be there, and because you can see the big picture, and the influence you will have.
Huge kudos to all that stayed.
You have my support, 100%.

Anonymous said...

Your right people need to wake up!