Tucson's charter schools add sports to lure students: But some are saying this isn't the way these institutions should go.

Byline: George B. Sanchez

Jan. 21--When the basketball team for Academy of Tucson High School arrives for a game, players say, their opponents tend to be underwhelmed.

Steven Near, 16, puts it simply: "They think it's a school for dropouts." Josh Kevwitch, 17, says most of his team's opponents haven't even heard of the East Side college-prep charter school. "They underestimate us," he said. It doesn't help that the team's home court is more than 15 miles from its campus, on the other side of the city at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The team is ranked fourth in the 1A South Region and has players ranked in the top 10 for blocks and rebounds, including Kevwitch, who leads the region in scoring and three-pointers. When Academy High plays on its home court, the team is surrounded by accolades and championship banners for another school. It's not hard to understand why Academy High athletes say they can't shake their school's charter image.

But that may change as charters continue to develop their programs and school sites. Once seen as small, storefront alternatives to traditional school districts, some charter schools have risen above the image through academic achievement by emphasizing college-preparatory standards or specialties in math and science. Many charters are unable to provide outside activities, making the lack of sports one…