Charter schools will soon be an option for Rockford students. In addition to the already approved Legacy Academy going in at the old Evergreen school the Patriot's Gateway Center will soon be hosting a Chicago International Charter School.

"It's refreshing. It's something new and different and as the President said last night, charter schools is his initiative. Rockford's on board. It's a good thing." says Jim Barbagello President of Patriot's Gateway.

The Patriots Gateway will begin hosting the charter school in August 2010, with grades kindergarten through fourth expected to attend. One area developer says effective education is critical for a healthy neighborhood.

"I see that this neighborhood, the Midtown neighborhood, the neighborhood in which I live is in need of stronger educational components and that's something we can not only help bring in but we can help knit together with the housing with the jobs." says Brad Roos, Executive Director of Zion Development.

Charter schools provide students with a different way of learning. Pastor Ken Board thinks this new way of learning can help bring his diverse community together. "Many kids in this neighborhood come from single parent homes and the charter schools will give them more focus will give them more structured learning environment after school programs so they won't be out on the street."

Charter schools claim they can catch students that usually fall through the cracks. In August of 2010 they will get their chance to prove it. For now, the new charter schools will only offer classes for elementary students, but many of the supporters say they would like to see more high school charter schools in the future.