RENO – To celebrate a decade of teaching kids and watching them excel in various competitions and ace state tests, students of the Coral Academy of Science in Reno recited lines of a famous centuries-old bard, put their knowledge to the test in a trivia contest and showcased their talent at the school last week.

The site, which is a K-12 charter school, opened its doors to the community to celebrate its 10th anniversary of providing a rigorous education that prepares students for college and has a special emphasis on science, math and technology, though its diverse curriculum offers options to students in all subjects. Throughout the week, students brushed up on and memorized passages from Shakespeare’s plays and some received awards. Meanwhile, representatives of the state Legislative Counsel Bureau toured the facilities with executive director Erdinc Ajar and asked questions how about charter schools operate and how it benefits students.

“We regularly do science activities and fairs,” said Erdinc Acar, executive director of the school, who is quite proud of his students’ accomplishments. “We became the state champions in 2007 (of the Science Olympiads).”

This year alone, Coral Academy students won various recognitions for their participation in regional and state events. Fourth grader Michael Schenk qualified on his written exam to go to the National Geographic Bee’s state competition. Art students won prizes in the 2010 Fair Housing Contest. Eighth grade student Natalie Van Hoozer won first place in an essay contest held by the Nevada Air National Guard and the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society.

Teachers, too, have been awarded with honors. Chemistry teacher Tekin Tuncer received Nevada Science Olympiad Coach of the Year in March at the state competition in Las Vegas.

The school also consistently makes Adequate Yearly Progress as mandated by No Child Left Behind and the elementary school ranked “High Achieving Status.”

Coral Academy’s anniversary coincided with National Charter Schools Week, which was recognized last week from Monday through Sunday.

According to www.publiccharters.org, the website for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, more than 4,600 charter schools serve 1.4 million students in 40 states and the District of Columbia. In 2008-2009, 426 new public charter schools opened, setting a record.

Coral Academy is one of eight sponsored by the Washoe County School District. It is not a private school and therefore does not charge tuition. However, in addition to being accountable to improving student achievement, it must work to receive its own funding, especially with the school district’s current budget crisis.

“We do fundraisers and if we’re eligible, we apply for state grants,” Acar said. “We have our own grant writers (who apply to the federal level for funding).”

Coral Academy has become so successful at what it provides that there is a waiting list of about 240 students whom parents want to enroll. This year, the school had to conduct a lottery for kindergartners through ninth graders because it can only accommodate about 940 students. Student population increased this year by 35 percent to 802 students. Class sizes will be adjusted next year by one or two students but the facility space cannot expand, which is hindering the school’s further growth but that works to the mission of the school, Acar said.

“We don’t want to lose our focus,” he said.

The looming cuts in the district also trickle down to the charter school. Acar said he doesn’t want to cut teacher positions but physical education and art programs could be sacrificed, another path the executive director doesn’t want Coral Academy to travel.

“I know how important those programs are,” he said.

Acar, who has an 8-year-old son attending the school, said word of mouth is by far the strongest tool the school has at its disposal to keep the students coming.

“I’m very proud of this school,” he said. “We’ve touched so many students’ lives.”

Follow the Sparks Tribune this week for more information about charter schools and the impacts the Washoe County School District’s budget shortfall is having on its sponsored schools.