Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's Charter School Authorizer Board says groups have submitted six eligible applications to open schools in the current cycle.

Applicants had submitted letters of intent to apply for 17 schools, but a majority did not submit full applications. Among the groups not moving ahead is Phoenix Early College Charter School in Natchez, a finalist last year that didn't win approval. Last year's other rejected finalist, Inspire Charter School in Columbus, is trying again.

Another two applicants want to open schools in Jackson and two in Tunica County. One wants to open in the North Panola School District.

The board plans to vote on approvals in December. Earlier this year the board approved Mississippi's first charter school. Reimagine Prep in Jackson, serving grades 5-8, plans a fall 2015 opening.

Here's a list of groups interested in opening schools, the school districts where they would open the schools, and the grades the schools would serve. Most schools would serve fewer grades in their first year:

— Emerge Community STEAM Charter School: Tunica County, grades K-8.

— Emerge Community STEAM + E Charter School: Jackson, grades K-8.

— Excellence Academy STEM Charter Elementary School: North Panola, grades K-5.

— Inspire Charter School: Columbus, grades K-6.

— Midtown Public Charter School: Jackson, grades 5-8.

— Du Bois Prep Academy: Tunica County, grades K-6.

Source: Charter School Authorizer Board