New Hampshire Center for School Reform
www.nhschoolreform.org


 Telephone:  603.224.0366                    Fax:  603.224.8366
Concord, NH 03301 Email: info@nhschoolreform.org

Newsletter Update #37, December, 10, 2006


NORTH COUNTRY CHARTER SCHOOL…DROP-OUT RECOVERY
Students are returning from dropping out. Their futures are being changed in this 2-campus charter school supported by North Country superintendents. The school’s director will speak Tuesday a.m. 12/12/06 in Concord. Come listen. Academic standards are high and leadership is also a goal. Students are mailing packages of needed items to Marines in Iraq--lip balm, socks, etc. $50 covers mail for one large boxful. Contributions welcome. Equitable state funding is essential for this important school to continue. Contact Information

ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE AND DESIGN -- NASHUA
The Academy for Science and Design Charter School will open in Nashua this September 2007, if suitable space can be found. This will be New Hampshire's first statewide science school and, as a public school of choice, is tuition free. Students from anywhere may apply; students are selected by lottery. Unique features include research courses and labs, 7 specializations, and algebra and physics started in grade 7. Using an international model, students will have sophisticated majors beginning grade 11. ASD will open with 60 students in grades 8, 9, and 10. The first research lab will be physics/engineering. Colleges and businesses are key participants in this charter school's design and development. The school's website is now being updated. Stay connected.

ROCHESTER CHARTER SCHOOL SEEKS NEW SPACE
The NH Equestrian Academy Charter School (Rochester) has completed its first trimester. In addition to robust academics, students help govern through weekly leadership meetings. Students also have unique Friday morning seminars and attend veterinary medicine programs at the Myhre Equine Clinic. Businesses generously supported the school's first fundraiser. The school currently seeks larger academic space for this year and next. Parent and student inquiries are received every week. When larger space is found, the school will expand. Contact them with space information.

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S 12 AUTHORIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS
The 12th authorized charter public school was supported by Bow, Hopkinton, and Kearsarge districts. Superintendent Tom Brennan discusses the new charter school...listen in. Increasingly, communities are embracing the chartered public school model. New ideas are being discussed all over the state. The 2nd approved charter public school, started by parents, began with 7 students and now has 60 students and a waitlist of 100—Seacoast Charter School. Learn about the state's 12 authorized chartered public schools, benefiting students from over 100 towns. Contact us for a presentation.

PORTSMOUTH’S MAYOR GIVES EDUCATION VIEWS
Democratic Mayor Steve Marchand thinks about economic competitiveness and education’s role in vital, small cities. Stating that public education is “over half of most municipal budgets,” he is full of ideas. “The challenges we face are great but the magnitude of our product--are we producing quality students ready to learn and work in the world? We should pay a lot of attention to this...” for our taxpayers. “We’ve tripled the amount we expend, but the results don’t show the benefit. We have to focus more on results.”
Listen to his interview.

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S WONDERFUL, PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Independent schools enrich cities and towns. They bring jobs, arts, and business. They often educate community children. Our radio show—SCHOOL TALK (WKXL1450)--interviews private schools and posts discussions. School leaders explain their founders, missions, programs, costs, application procedures, scholarships, and contributions to host communities. These discussions are helpful to guidance personnel, parents, and community leaders considering an independent community school. Listen to independent private schools talk. Listen live each Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

WHAT MAKES A WONDERFUL TEACHER
Lesley College Professor Jerome Schultz characterizes attributes of great teachers for children with Learning Disabilities. Wonderful teachers: …understand the relationship between emotion and cognition, praise the process students use as much as the product, can modify the curriculum without lowering the standards, ask students what strategies they use… Thoughtful reading


 


Read up on the basics of charter schools in New Hampshire. To view the complete listing of new schools in New Hampshire, click here.

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 Telephone:  603.224.0366                   Fax:  603.224.8366
Concord, NH 03301 Email:  info@nhschoolreform.org