NEW HAMPSHIRE EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
NEW HAMPSHIRE’S 8TH APPROVED CHARTER SCHOOL

ADVISORY & STATUS REPORT
January 12, 2006

With approval from the State Board of Education, the New Hampshire Equestrian Academy's founders can begin plans leading to a September 2006 opening. This high school will be so very unique, it may be the first of its kind…offering a complete academic program and a complete equine studies program. Click here for more information.

Concord's WKXL radio show, SCHOOL TALK, recently featured Dr. Grant Myhre, veterinarian and equine specialist, who discussed the booming equine industry, equine careers, and why this new equine-focused high school should be supported. To listen, click here.

The newly-forming equestrian charter school has not officially started its outreach. Still, more than 20 students have sent in applications and as many adults have expressed interest in teaching, assisting with operations, or working on the equine program. The outpouring of interest is providing energy to founders who have so much work ahead.

Start-up goals for January include creating promotional materials, setting up informational meetings, setting up the Board of Trustees, and addressing facility. To open, the school’s founders and first Board of Trustees must find, modify, or build space large enough to support the academic program for the first year’s students (15-30) and build an indoor arena. Land for the school has been donated as well as office, barn, and conference room space. The indoor arena and beginning school are estimated at $200-$500,000 in labor and materials. Ideas welcome. Founders are open to naming the indoor arena for a benefactor. Any realtor, contractor, plumber, electrician, business, or philanthropist who would like to offer ideas and support, please contact susan@nhschoolreform.org (603-224-0366).

The New Hampshire Equestrian Academy will be a choice public school for any student in the state. Under the charter school law in New Hampshire, student transportation is not required or paid for by the school or the student’s resident district. The charter school can help parents find solutions for transportation, however. The founders' plans include innovative courses, including weekend courses, so students who live far away can participate in the school program.

For readers interested in New Hampshire's education legislation, several bills this session have the potential to fix the charter school law--to assure the new schools have direct payment from the state and to assure reasonable funding equity for public students attending approved public charter schools. Check out this session's bills related to charter schools and bills related to school funding.

Questions received:

1. Will there be boarding possibilities for horses or students?
Answer: There will definitely be boarding options for horses, yes. Student boarding options are a goal eventually but unless a dorm building is donated, the first facility priorities are the day school and indoor arena.

2. The charter says the school will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Do all students have to attend this entire time?
Answer: No. The care of horses will require the school to be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The hands-on equine studies segments will rotate in students so that equine program teachers will have no more than 4 or 5 students at a time. The academic program will be held during typical school hours. Student schedules will be individualized to accommodate differing times with horses before/after school.

3. Is there a need for an attorney to help the Board of Trustees?
Answer: Yes. Most new charter school boards greatly benefit from attorney assistance for their initial decisions, arrangements, and contracts.

4. Are you looking for parents or others to help with startup tasks?
Answer: Yes. Marketing and design talent would be welcome right now. Assistance setting up informational sessions around the state would be helpful. People who would like to serve on the Board of Trustees are needed. NH law requires 2 parents on each charter school board.

5. Is the school still planning to open in the Rochester area?
Answer: Yes, basing the school at Rochester’s unique equine clinic and hospital offers many opportunities for students. Charter school trustees have to consider available options, but the current plan is to open in Rochester.

6. What is the status of student applications that have been received?
Answer: A master list of interested students is in place. It’s inspiring how many students are learning about the school and sending in applications and letters of interest. For now, a minimal application is available on the school’s website or on www.nhschoolreform.org. By February, all the students and public schools should have been contacted about the official enrollment procedures.

7. Will there be a chance for adults to participate in courses?
Answer: The overall plan includes adult education seminars and programs as a means for the school to generate funds and to meet the significant interest of adults.

8. Will any students from out-of-state be accepted?
Answer: Several spaces will likely be available for students from out of state; however, the school is only free to students from New Hampshire.

9. If someone donated a building or the indoor arena, could it be named for the donor?
Answer: Yes. Naming rights has been discussed and naming a building would be an option for donors.

10. Can more than one family member go to the school?
Answer: New Hampshire law allows a preference for siblings so families could have more than one student attend, yes. Founders can also have students attend without going through the lottery.

Until the next advisory, do not hesitate to send questions or make contact through: Susan Hollins, NH Center for School Reform, 89 South Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, or susan@nhschoolreform.org

You may also make contact through: Georgene Sellinger, Wolfeboro (georgene@metrocast.net), Leslie Brian, Wolfeboro & New Jersey (ldbrian@earthlink.net), Noel Aderer, Keene area (naderer@peepwillowfarm.com) and Grant Myhre (gmyhre@usa.net)

 

 Telephone:  603.224.0366                   Fax:  603.224.8366
Postal Address:  89 South Street, Concord, NH 03301 Email:  info@nhschoolreform.org