Learn About The New Charter School

The Chester Charter School for the Arts (CCSA) will be dedicated to improving our community through high academic achievement and artistic excellence.

Dr. John Alston’s love and knowledge of children is a driving force behind the creation of a charter school where academics and the arts will inspire minds and enrich souls.

The Chester Fund for Education and the Arts, led by Dr. Alston, has applied to open a charter school in the Chester Upland School District, which includes the City of Chester, Chester Township and Upland Borough.  John has been working in the city of Chester for over 18 years, building an outstanding and locally renowned chorus of over 125 children who sing a challenging and sophisticated repertoire to cheering audiences.

In 2008, Dr. Alston and The Chester Fund formed a partnership with the Chester Upland School District to create the Chester Upland School of the Arts (CUSA).   Although making progress during its first three years of existence, CUSA has approached its limits in terms of what can be accomplished by a regular public school. For this reason, Dr. Alston and The Chester Fund will conclude their partnership agreement with the school district to support CUSA at the close of the current school year.

The Chester Fund has clear reasons for its decision to conclude the partnership and found a coalition for a new charter school. First and foremost, TCF needs the ability to provide the students with stability, and the school leadership with the opportunity to build upon successes and improve from one year to the next.

The Chester Charter School for the Arts must have the autonomy to hire and retain excellent school staff whose members have the knowledge, empathy, and motivation to teach within the school’s culture of high expectations and arts integration.

Chester Charter School for the Arts:  Key Highlights and Facts