Torchlight Academy's charter renewed

The school had governance, financial and accountability issues, N.C. Office of Charter Schools Director Jack Moyer said.

The renewal comes with restrictions, including yearly audits and the development of a restructuring plan.

The report recommended that schools not meeting expected academic growth for five straight years be placed on probation for two years and then closed if they don't reach it.

Torchlight has now met academic requirements two years in a row.

Don McQueen, executive director of Torchlight Academy, said officials visited other schools with similar demographics and took notes on the successes they were having. Strategies included extending the school day, instituting Saturday classes and tutoring.