Why I like my charter school Life has not been the best for me and my family. We had a house fire last year that took everything. But I kept going for my mom, my sister and my dog, Champ, and my school helped us.

I went to many schools before my Mom found Concordia Creative Learning Academy in St. Paul. I was in fifth grade. I plan on graduating eighth grade next year.

CCLA was right away different. They did a test to tell me that I was at a first-grade reading level. I learned I had a lot of work to do.

They put me in small groups with great teachers like Mr. K. O. and Ms. Mary Lou. We can learn, play, eat snacks and have fun all at the same time. We read a book called, "Touching Spirit Bear." That was the first book that taught me something.

Just before Christmas break we took the test again. I've gone up four grade levels in reading and five grade levels in math.

I still have work to do. But I know I can do it because we have a plan and my teachers will help me.