Concept's Success

 

 

Concept Schools President/CEO Sedat Duman gives speech during 2024 CONSEF event.

 

For decades, Concept Schools has set out to positively impact families across the Midwest. Our dedication to providing a high-quality, STEM-focused education has set students up for success in higher education and beyond. Here are some of the highlights from Concept’s award-winning work. 

 

CREDO Recognition

 

 

In 2023, the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) from Stanford University recognized Concept as a gap-busting charter management organization for its ability to close achievement gaps. CREDO reported that charter schools associated with charter management organizations, like Concept Schools, outperform independently run charter schools.

 

Cognia Accreditation

 

 

 

Concept earned system-wide accreditation and network-wide STEM certification from Cognia, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. We are the largest charter network in the Midwest to receive this honor. 

 

"School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Concept Schools with another nationally recognized mark of quality for our network," said Concept Schools President/CEO Sedat Duman. "It demonstrates to the communities we serve our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best organization we can be." 

 

Concept Network Schools Top U.S. News & World Report's Rankings

 

 

Most Concept network schools are annually recognized as top charter schools in their states. In 2023, Chicago Math and Science Academy was named the No. 1 high school, and Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park was named as the No. 1 elementary and No. 1 middle school in Illinois. In 2024, along with Gateway Science Academy Fyler in Missouri, HSA was also named the No. 1 high school.

 

Graduates

 

Since 1999, more than 8,000 students have graduated from a Concept network school. 66 currently work within a network school as a teacher or support staff member. The Concept Alumni Network has distributed more than 150 scholarships to its graduates to help ensure college persistence.

 

College Acceptance

Chicago Math and Science Academy's own Alcides Manzo was accepted into MIT and Harvard after his teachers encouraged him to apply to highly-regarded institutions. 

 

Concept Schools is proud of the continuous work we put in to elevate our students and their potential. Students within our network have a 90% college acceptance rate, some of which have gone on to attend acclaimed institutions like: 

• Princeton University
• MIT
• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• Yale University
• Cornell University
• Northwestern University
• University of Chicago

U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Awards