In a Friday afternoon press release, the Department of Education announced the closing of a Brooklyn charter school, East New York Preparatory Charter School.

In February 2009 the school, which received its charter in 2005, was put on probation for  improperly discharging some students and failing to provide adequate special education services, according to the press release. Chancellor Joel Klein announced that the school would close at the end of this school year.

"We won't allow a school to remain open when it persistently fails its students -- whether it is a charter or a district school," Klein said. "Unfortunately, East New York Prep failed to meet the standards of its charter and the City's promise to provide a good education to all public school children. "

The Department is working with families to find alternate placements for next year and will hold an information session for parents on April 22 at the school. A one year program will open in the building next year to give families more time to find another school, he said.

This is the fourth charter school to be closed in the city.  Another 31 charter schoolsare due to open next fall although many of them still do not have locations.

Read the full text of the press release after the jump.<!--more-->

CHANCELLOR KLEIN TO CLOSE EAST NEW YORK PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced he would close East New York Preparatory Charter School at the end of this school year after determining that the school has failed to provide all of its students with a high-quality education and was operating in violation of its charter, Department of Education (DOE) policy, and New York State charter school law. The DOE has been working with families to help place the school's students in new schools next year. East New York Prep is the fourth charter school to be closed in New York City since charters were first created.

"We won't allow a school to remain open when it persistently fails its students-whether it is a charter or a district school," Chancellor Klein said. "Unfortunately, East New York Prep failed to meet the standards of its charter and the City's promise to provide a good education to all public school children. We will work closely with the school's families to place their children in other nearby district or charter schools where they can receive the education they need and deserve."

The DOE issued East New York Prep a five-year charter in 2005. In February 2009, the school was put on probation in response to charges that it improperly discharged some students and failed to provide adequate special education services. In a subsequent investigation, the DOE determined the school's board of directors failed to exercise appropriate oversight of the school and its leadership.

East New York Prep will remain open until the end of the current school year. The DOE has been working with families to find nearby district and charter schools for their children to attend in the fall. Options include a new one-year program in the same building as East New York Prep that will give families additional time to secure places for their children in another school. The DOE will hold an information session for parents on Thursday, April 22nd, at East New York Prep.