The newly created PODER Academy public charter school earned a first place team trophy and individual 7 trophies in the Fort Collins Chess Mates Scholastic Chess Series Tournament on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The PODER Academy had students place in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place in their various age divisions.

The school from Cheyenne, competed against 175 other students from the Northern Colorado area, with the majority of competing schools being defined as middle class/affluent schools. The school walked away from the tournament with more chess trophies than any other school or chess club, and dominated the elementary division by taking home a first place trophy.

PODER Academy Chess Director Kyle Hayes, says “In the past few tournaments, our students have been very blessed to take home a lot of individual chess trophies, however it is even better when our students are able to come together as a team to win a first place team trophy.”

The PODER Academy’s demographics are K-4th (growing a grade every year until K-8th) and are approximately 80% Free/Reduced Lunch, 50% Students of Color, and 15% English Language Learners.

 

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