Franklin Career Academy

Students Served:  35-40 in year 1; full enrollment will be 120-130

2008 Status: Opened August 2004

Web Site: Franklin Career Academy

Abstract:

With very high drop-out rates in Franklin, a Business and Education non-profit was formed and met many times before advancing this proposal for a small, chartered career academy. Area businesses are supportive, particularly in the medical industry.

The Franklin Career Academy proposed a 12-hour day, including dinner and evening tutorial, with a college-prep program and committing to a 90% success rate with students. This concept of a "you can do it" high school connected with and supported by area industries was adapted from a nationally-recognized model career high school:  Textron Chamber of Commerce Charter School in Providence, RI.

Franklin Career Academy opened in August 2004 with 30-35 students in grades 7-12. Our information is that all students who applied were accepted and no lottery was needed in the first year. This charter school is a true open enrollment school available to any student statewide.

FCA had a successful year in terms of meeting academic goals. In fact, the school defines its progress in reading as spectacular with students schoolwide averaging over 2 grade level gains. Franklin held high school graduation for 4 of its 35 students, and the ceremony included a warm speech from the class valedictorian who was a volunteer fire fighter 3x week, a hard-working student, and someone who now plans to enter college with a degree goal in radiology.

Franklin Career Academy is the only open charter school in New Hampshire where sending districts have refused to forward state funds required under RSA 194-B. State-authorized New Hampshire charter schools receive state and federal funds, only, unless districts choose to provide students funding available to other town students. The 2004-2005 funding scheme passes state and federal funds through the student's sending school district. The Attorney General's office has clarified that sending districts have a duty to provide funding to the charter school and the charter school does not have to borrow to have its own state funding. Franklin and a few adjoining districts have just refused. Statewide, a few districts have refused to forward any state aid for the purpose of home educated students returning to a charter school.

Franklin has had student applications for next year and has interviewed some new teachers for 2005-2006 since the complete FCA staff from 2004-2005 resigned. The charter school says it has no other source of operational funding so if they are denied access to state funding they will not open. City leaders have said publicly they are going to withhold funds and also file with the state to revoke FCA's charter because the school is financial unsustainable. The charter school does have some funding balance from 2004-2005 which could cover expenses for a few months only.

Laurent Clerc Academy

Area Located: 

95 Pleasant St.

Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-223-6770 (v)
TTY: 603-223-2332

2007 Status:  Closed 2007

Employment Application:  Click Here

New Student Application:  Click Here

Charter:  Click Here

Email: Susan Brule, Director

Web Site:  NA

Additional Resources: nhdeaf-hh.org

Students Served:
This specialty school operated in its first year with only 4 students because placement and funding decisions were new and confusing to most districts. Special education administrators were told any funding that went to students at LCA would not count toward catastrophic aid and this had a chilling affect on districts considering the school. There were other approval complications related to special education because the school was designed for deaf students. Founders of LCA wanted to assure that any students who needed a school taught in American Sign Language would have this in New Hampshire. The school distinguishes itself from other programs by being 100% language accessible to students who work directly with their teacher. INterpreters are not used. The school has a high academic standard and includes hearing students who use ASL.

The school plans 2 classrooms in 2005-06, elementary and middle school. The current director and teacher are specialists in teaching deaf children and are certified to give American Sign Language fluency assessments. This school is considered a bilingual American Sign Language and printed English academy.

Abstract:
Click Here for Executive Summary This charter school will be a school of choice for students who are deaf or significantly hard of hearing. Envisioned to include the best features of specialty schools nationwide, the academy is intentionally small and has typical and high academic expectations in a supportive and ASL environment. The communication philosophy will embrace all forms of communication based on the individual student .

Anticipating students from far distances, the school will make provisions for fewer than 5 days of of attendance/week. Extended day program options as well as ongoing community and civic participation are anticipated. There's a lot of community involvement within the city of Concord and around New England. The school is planned with extensive parent involvement and a strong focus on literacy, the key ingredient in these student's ability to compete and advance in career and secondary education.

LCA Progress: “After less than a year, LCA students are demonstrating significant gains in language--both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Significant gains are seen in math, leadership, social relations, and overall confidence. This first deaf school in New Hampshire designed for high academic achievement taught in American Sign Language, is growing in popularity. The school has 6 full-time enrolled students and 13 part-time students who participate on Fridays, and is offering summer sessions for its second consecutive year. Laurent Clerc Academy offers deaf students a top academic program for under $20,000 per student whereas other options of this quality cost districts $40,000 to $100,000.

In addition to its bilingual school for students, LCA will soon offer ASL assessments for public school students--something New Hampshire needs for deaf students in the mainstream so their sign language competencies are understood. LCA also offers training and staff development programs to school districts on education of deaf children who use sign language. Monthly, the school holds an 'ASL Only' community night that is open to deaf community members, families, and students of ASL and interpreting. This school's terrific website has a “Calendar of Events”

http://www.lcaschool.com/calendar/index.htm.

Strong Foundations Charter School

Ages/Grades:  Either K-4 or 1-4, following clarification if K can be part of NH charter schools

2008 Status:  Open

Students Served: Appropimately 60-100 students.

Contact: Beth McClure for more information.

Web Site:  Click Here

Abstract:  N/A

Status March 2007: Charter approved by the State Board of Education on 3/14/06.

Students served: This charter school is being designed by learning disabilities specialists for intellectually typical
children at risk for or already diagnosed as having language learning disabilities. Over the 5 years of the charter, the
school would havea maximum enrollment of 100 students but would open with a smaller number of students and grow to this size.

Parents choosing this school can expect a full elementary school program but the emphasis and specialty will be
basic academic skills and grade-level competency in reading, writing, and math. The program will use research based programs and practices, an area of specialty for applicants. The school will offer all academic subjects, a requirement of all NH chartered public schools, including computer skills. Strong Foundations proposes an individual plan for every student to develop areas of weakness and strength.Systematic and sequential instruction is the primary instructional approach with frequent skill development monitoring to assure progress.

If approved, this charter school will be a demonstration school in the area of special education prevention.
If students with learning disabilities had skills at or above grade level at end of 4th grade, their academic program
through middle school would be more advanced and the need for remedial services would be lessened. This school
hopes that schools districts will contract for spaces and perhaps do their own lottery for parents for spaces they'd
like reserved for their district students. Class size will be 1:12, and so participating school districts will need to
provide some funding.

2007 status: The charter application was first submitted in the summer of 2005, when a 2006 opening was being planned. But founders did not receive approval at this hearing and the approval was tabled. In March 2006, applicants had greatly strengthened their proposal and resubmitted in 2006. The charter application for Strong Foundations Charter School was approved 3/14/06 and now plans to open September 2007 with 60 elementary students. The school will grow year by year till it reaches maximum enrollment. Proponents formed a non-profit to advance their application and were awarded a pre-charter planning grant of $11,700 that enabled the time and resources to develop their program. Strong Foundations Charter School will locate somewhere within 20 miles of Concord, but the location has not yet been determined.

Museum School for Visual Arts

Area Located:  Concord, NH

Ages/Grades:  11

2008 Status:  On hold...awaiting new leadership.

Students Served:   25 Serious Art Students.

Contact: Susan Hollins

Web Site:  N/A

Abstract:

This school idea was advanced by a teacher with an extensive Studio Art and public school background. The concept was a one-year program (11th grade) where students had a college prep academic program with Art History and English (related to art) as well as other academic subjects. Anticipated to be on the grounds of an art museum or teaching center, this school would offer high level exploratory studio arts throughout the year to serious art students who anticipate pursuit of a college degree in art. The extensive exploratory studio art program in grade 11 would help students clarify their own art specialty interests and allow them to develop a competitive art portfolio, which would advance competitive edge for college admissions and scholarships. During this year, students would work with mentor artists in their areas of interest.

This project is stalled because the proponent has married and has two infants. Great idea with backing from a community art center. Looking for a new entrepreneurial art teacher or two to carry on the vision.

Abstract:
This school idea was advanced by a teacher with an extensive Studio Art and public school background. The concept was a one-year program (11th grade) where students had a college prep academic program with Art History and English (related to art) as well as other academic subjects. Anticipated to be on the grounds of an art museum or teaching center, this school would offer high level exploratory studio arts throughout the year to serious art students who anticipate pursuit of a college degree in art. The extensive exploratory studio art program in grade 11 would help students clarify their own art specialty interests and allow them to develop a competitive art portfolio, which would advance competitive edge for college admissions and scholarships. During this year, students would work with mentor artists in their areas of interest.

This project is stalled because the proponent has married and has two infants. Great idea with backing from a community art center. Looking for a new entrepreneurial art teacher or two to carry on the vision.

Concord Virtual School

Area Located:  Concord area

Ages/Grades: Concept is k-8.

2008 Status:

Students Served: 60-120

Contact: AT this time proponents can be reached through Susan Hollins.

Web Site:  N/A

Abstract:
The concept of the Concord Virtual School involves teacher-mentored individual programs and some in-school classes. This school combines home-based teaching, virtual/internet instruction, rigorous academic content, inschool classes, and community experience. Courses might be broadcast by the school or provided through existing virtual schools. A full range of subjects will be taught each year. Parents will need to be highly involved as co-teachers.

2008 Status: At this time, Concord Virtual School is a concept gathering parent and professionals interest. A planning grant will be advanced over Summer 2006.

CSI Charter School

Contact:

26 Washington Street
Penacook, NH 03303
603-753-0199
Paulette Fitzgerald

2008 Status: Opened July, 2007

Ages/Grades: Concept is k-8

Students Served: 60-120

Web Site:  N/A

Abstract:
The CSI (Competencies, Skills, Interests) Charter School plans on using current student academic competencies and work-based skills as the entry point for the development of individualized plans that allow students to meet essential academic and work-based competencies. Integrated units will be developed that create student interests, meet high standards of achievement, and provide students authentic opportunities to demonstrate the competencies. Meeting these high standards will allow students to successfully transition after graduation to a work setting or continue their education at the post-secondary level. This Charter School is characterized by being very small, student interest centered, and supported by project-based learning and technology.