Proposal for Middle Village Charter School

Deerfield School Board Meeting, August 16, 2007

A charter school is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers, and community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district, operating under a contract or "charter" between the members of the charter school community and the local school board. The New Hampshire Department of Education says, "Charter schools are responsible to their sponsor-usually a state or local school board—to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract." According to the Colorado Department of Education, the spirit of the nationwide charter school movement is "to offer parents choice, and for educators to take responsible risks, and to create new, innovative, more flexible ways of educating children within the public school system." The Los Angeles Unified School District views charter schools as "part of the district's family and as an asset from which we can learn."

Middle Village at a glance:

• Open enrollment public school of choice with integrated curriculum

While building knowledge about-'and maintaining respect tor-tradition and history, students will develop skills needed to succeed in a world being changed by new media and technologies

Students will be engaged in authentic projects with actual audiences

• Commitment to individualized instruction

• Multiage classes comprised of grades 6, 7, 8

• 1 to 20 teacher-student ratio

• Full enrollment of 80 students (by year four)

• Accountable to sponsor for carrying out the objectives indicated in the charter

• Potential location: Historic Progressive Grange Hall on Middle Road

• Close involvement of parents and families in the education of their children

Projected financial highlights:

• Per pupil cost to Deerfield: $4800 in FY1, $2600 per pupil in subsequent years

• Average cost to Deerfield per year over first five years: $191,800

• Average cost per pupil per year over five years: $7971

• Charter schools can access grants and gifts not available to local educational districts