NKO was founded in 1998 with grades Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first and fifth. In 1999 it added second and sixth grades and will continue to add two grades each year until it has a full range of pre-kindergarten through 8th grade classes.  During its first two years, NKO is occupying temporary space in the St. James Methodist Church, 4611 S. Ellis Avenue.  In the autumn of 2000, it and the Ariel Community Academy will occupy the Shakespeare building on 46th Street and Greenwood Avenue which is now being renovated for their use.

The mission of the North Kenwood/Oakland Charter School is to provide an excellent education for a representative group of urban students, while serving as a school development center for urban teachers.   In the first capacity, NKO has a rich curriculum based on the most current research in literacy and mathematics pedagogy, and taught by fine professionals.  An advanced technological infrastructure, including many classroom computers with Internet connectivity, supports the curriculum.  In addition, the school works with numerous outside agencies and institutions to make available a rich array of cultural activities to its students.

As a school development center, NKO provides a meeting place and demonstration center for staff from the Center for School Improvement school network.  In the future, teachers-on-loan will come to the school for extended periods for hands-on experience in good-practice techniques.