Cleveland College Preparatory School is a tuition-free public charter school in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood, serving students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school earned a 3-Star Progress rating on the 2024-25 Ohio State Report Card, meaning students here are growing at the rate the state expects.
This school was built around a simple conviction: families come first, and every child deserves to be known as a whole person. Academics and social-emotional learning aren’t separate tracks running side by side. They’re woven into the same school day, in every classroom, at every grade level. Students learn self-control, empathy, and responsible decision-making through guided activities and daily reinforcement. Character isn’t an add-on. It’s the method.
Kindergartners get their own dedicated space, a separate K house designed so the youngest learners feel secure and settled from day one. Early entrance is available for students who turn 5 by December 31 through a readiness assessment, so families with younger children who are ready won’t have to wait.
It’s a publicly funded school. There’s no tuition, no fees, and no cost to families.
• Free breakfast and lunch for every enrolled student.
• Free yellow bus transportation through CMSD for K-8 students living within a 1 to 4 mile radius.
• Before and after care available through Laveer Childcare (6:00am to 6:00pm; vouchers accepted).
• Tutoring offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm for all grades.
• School-based counseling through Beechbrook.
Cleveland College Preparatory School is located in Cleveland, Ohio. Visit the school online at clevelandcollegeprep.org.
Carlesia Ray, Principal
Principal Ray joins us as a seasoned educator with seven years of experience working as a Behavior Specialist and Director of Academics. Ms. Ray was previously at CCP a few years back, and is beyond excited to join the school again filling the Principal Role. “I truly believe in fostering an enjoyable learning environment for all scholars. Our scholars are successful when a strong partnership is formed amongst with the school and families. I look forward to a successful school year for the scholars, families, and staff of CCP
Phillip Penn, Executive Principal
Phillip Penn joined ACCEL Schools in 2017 as a school principal with over 12 years of experience as a K-8 educator and administrator. As Executive Principal at ACCEL Schools, he oversees leadership development, instructional programming, operations, and strategic planning for two schools in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to joining ACCEL Schools, Mr. Penn served in teaching and leadership roles in public and charter schools including ICAN Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Warrensville City Schools. Mr. Penn is passionate about urban education and working in inner city schools, especially his hometown of Cleveland. Educational equity is a top motivation and priority in his work, and he prides himself in communication and developing supportive relationships. Mr. Penn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership as well as a Master’s degree in Education from Cleveland State University.
Staff Directory
Founded in 2014, ACCEL Schools is a K-12 public charter school management organization (CMO) serving students across the United States in brick-and-mortar, virtual, and hybrid school settings. We focus on improving academic outcomes of students regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic factors. The leadership team at ACCEL Schools has a combined 1000+ years of experience as global school management operators with expertise in curriculum research and design, assessment, student support services, and education consulting. Our entire team fundamentally believes that all children deserve a great education and students should be supported as they pursue a wide variety of post-secondary options. Our robust technology increases engagement, access to resources, efficiencies, and academic results helping our students become productive global citizens.
