"I'm excited, this is my first day."
For Zach Kelley and about 270 of his classmates, their first day of school feels a lot newer than it normally would. It's not just the new crayons or name tags, their entire school is new.

Today is opening day for CICS Patriots, Rockford's third charter school located in the Patriot's Gateway Center. Zach's mom says public schools weren't able to give him enough individual attention, and thinks the flexibility of a charter school will.

"I feel that he needs to advance himself just a little bit more, and the charter schools I feel can do that"

"Achievement for the students that's the goal, to make sure they are moving along."

Principal Charo Cheney is also excited about her first day with students. It's a chance for her to show off what sets her school apart from regular public schools. Classroom hours are longer than traditional schools, they have a school uniform policy and a curriculum designed for college prep. And the demand for this kind of curriculum couldn't be higher. Almost every grade has a wait list.

"I had him lined up for all the different charter schools and CICS was the first one to call, so we were thrilled, he jumped for joy, he's ready, it's different for us, but he's ready."

When the bell rings at the end of the day, the building will continue to serve as a community center. Allowing students to take part in after-school activities as well. At the end of the first school year, parents, students and faculty members will take a survey to see how it well the school performed, and make improvements based on those results.

Next year CICS plans to add fifth grade classes to the Patriot's Gateway location. They also hope to open a sixth through twelve grade campus at a different spot in the future.