American Indian Model Schools
Under the leadership of Ben Chavis (Lumbee), a Native American professor, AIPCS students made considerable progress in academic scores from 2000 to 2007, and enrollment increased at the school. The first middle school, AIPCS, received national recognition in 2007. Some of Chavis's disciplinary methods and his treatment of students and teachers generated controversy, and he resigned as principal in 2007. But the board voted to maintain him in an influential executive role at the school and with the model school system. In 2012 Chavis ended his ties with the charter system (although his children remained as students) and returned to his home state of North Carolina.
American Indian Model Schools
From 2000 to 2012, the demographics of the schools in this charter system have changed markedly, and by 2012 served a student body that was 90% Asian American. In 2000 the small AIPCS had a 62% Native American student body. In 2001 the school increased its enrollment to about 100 students. 52% of the students were Native American. According to Chavis, during that year 12-15 percent of the children were homeless. During Chavis' tenure, the proportion and number of Native American students in AIPCS and the new schools decreased. In 2005 20% of the students were Native American. In 2006 the percentage of Native Americans was more than 13%.