Patrick Henry Charter School Update!!

Hi everyone! I would like to let you know about the progress that the Patrick Henry School Initiative is making in keeping a school in our neighborhood. Not just any school, but a CHARTER SCHOOL!! I will be updating you monthly…

(If you don’t know what a charter school is, check out our website: www.foresthillcharter.org)
 
OR…

Come to a meeting! We meet every Tuesday at the Berryman Center (32nd and McDonough) at 8:00 p.m.  (meetings usually go until 9:30 p.m.)

Our official name is the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. We are a K-5 neighborhood Elementary School.

We are currently in the process of submitting our application to both the state and the school board for September. This involves two major factors: working out the projected budget and start-up costs and developing our curriculum objectives. Both are coming along smoothly. NOTE: It is the state that ultimately approves us for submitting the application to the school board, but it is the school board who makes the final decision in approving us.

We have submitted an application to attain 501©(3) status. The plan is to make an “umbrella” non-profit that will serve as a fiscal agent for other neighborhood education initiatives seeking to model what we are accomplishing. 

A Few FAQs:

Have we secured the Patrick Henry Building?

No…BUT! It has not been surplused to the city for potential developers. Also, the school board will not be utilizing it as a new home since they are no longer occupying City Hall. In order to secure it for our charter, we will be adding it into our contract/application with the school board.

Won’t a charter school take away funds from public schools?

No, because it IS a public school! A public charter school, if anything, operates at a savings to the school system. Why? Because the public charter school is funded at a smaller percentage (national average is 85%) of the per-pupil allotment received by regular public schools. The advantage of the charter is that it affords communities stronger roles in every aspect of the school from the administration to the curriculum.

Will the curriculum be SOL based?

Yes… We will be accountable to the SOLs just like any other public school. However, we are planning on letting teachers decide what best practices will achieve this goal. Teachers will not be tied down to a curriculum that demands frequent bench-mark testing. We hate the idea of teachers having to  “teach to the test”! We want our children to enjoy learning! And, we want out teachers to enjoy teaching! That is why we are developing a rigorous, comprehensive science-based curriculum that fully utilizes Forest Hill Park.

What are the school’s boundaries?

We are planning on starting with a one-mile radius from the school. That is, any student living within a one-mile radius of the school (Woodland Heights, Forest Hill, Spring Hill, possibly Westover Hills) will receive first choice. Depending on what kind of enrollment we get, we will retain the option to open up another mile out.

What will the student to teacher ratio be?

Currently we are planning on 16:1 on average.

Will the school be free of charge to attend?

Yes! It is technically a public school! We are a NON-PROFIT neighborhood-based organization.

When will the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts be open?

We are aiming to open Fall 2008.

How does my child qualify to attend the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts?

There are only two requirements:
 1.  Live within our proposed boundaries
 2.  Each parent or guardian signs a parental involvement contract. This contract ensures that each parent or guardian takes an active roll in their child’s education. Fulfillment of the contract can be done in a variety of ways. Chaperone a field trip, make copies for teachers, or work on building improvements! The possibilities are endless. Our Volunteer Coordinator will work with you to find what best suits your abilities.

I’m excited! How do I learn more?

Become involved! Bring a friend to a meeting (see above for times) and visit our website for more information.  www.foresthillcharter.org