We've got four local groups in the running for the state's three open charter school slots.
As noted in today's article, members of a State Board of Education committee are supposed to turn in by today their rankings of the 18 applicants. From that list, six will be chosen for the next round of consideration.
If Horizon Academy's application is approved, Sonya Bellson, a school founder, thinks they should easily attract applicants. Even though they plan to be in Louisburg in Franklin County, they'd expect to get interest from northern Wake families.
"It will bring stability, especially in Wake County," Bellson said. "Students will feel safe because they know each other. It's a family friendly environment."
Bellson cited the popularity of Franklin Academy in Wake Forest as a reason why they could draw applicants. This year, Franklin Academy had 1,842 applicants for 123 openings.
If it gets the nod, the Wake Math and Science Academy would probably intrigue a lot of families, especially of academically gifted students.
While organizers say they're not specifically targeting any group, the school's focus on advanced math and science instruction and encouragement of participation in academic competitions would appeal to a lot of parents.
They're looking at a number of different locations across the county.
More toward the other end, the Raleigh Academy of Technology is targeting at-risk high school students. It looks like the school would have a strong career and technical education, a.k.a. vo-tech, component.
Reid DuBose, a school founder, said he'd look for a location in Southeast Raleigh.
STAR Academy would be based in Durham but could draw Wake applicants. Charters are open to anyone but the lack of transportation at most schools is a factor.
STAR Academy would target minority and low-income students.
Click here for Horizon's application.
The Wake Math and Science application is so large that I had to break it up into pieces. (I decided not to include the pdfs showing lettes of support from the general public.)
Click here for the main body of the application. Click here for the first group of appendices.
Click here for the Saxon Math appendix.
Click here for the start of the College Preparatory Math program appendix. Click here for the second part of the appendix.
Click here for the end of the CPM appendix, budget and list of possible locations.
Click here for the Raleigh Academy of Technology application.
Click here for the STAR Academy application.
Comments
Off topic - sorry
Mon, 04/20/2009 - 10:57 — louiselee44This is off topic, but I really need to know ASAP and thought some of you might know - Keung, maybe?
I'm trying to find the breakdown that shows how much of the school energy costs are covered by county, and how much the state covers. I can't seem to get a straight answer.
Thanks!