Aptly having chosen its name, Rocketship Education is rapidly ascending.

With solid test scores, deep pockets of donors and the high-tech cachet of its hybrid-model school, the Palo Alto-based charter operator has captured attention nationwide with its simple mission: Educate poor, English-learners whom other schools have failed.

Launched in 2007 with one school in San Jose, Rocketship grew to five elementaries this year and plans for 23 more schools in Santa Clara County by 2017. With 2,400 students, Rocketship is the largest charter-school operator in the county. And if the county board of education grants its request