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A Whole Lot of Choices
Prepared by the
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
EDUCATION STUDY 2007
A Whole Lot of Choices
A Look at Jefferson County’s Option and Charter Schools
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Whole Lot of Choices…………………………………………………………
Special Programs in Jeffco Neighborhood Schools……………………………
Option Schools…………………………………………………………………..
Jeffco Option Schools……………………………………………………………
Charter Schools………………………………………………………………….
Jeffco Charter Schools…………………………………………………………..
Jeffco Option School Demographics……………………………………………
Jeffco Charter School Demographics………………………………………….
Glossary………………………………………………………………………….
Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Norma Burg, Evie Hudak, Elaine Olson, Sandra Schuster,
Marcia Schafer, Sue SchaferPrepared by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, Colorado
1425 Brentwood Street #7, Lakewood, Colorado 80215
303-238-0032Published November 2007
A WHOLE LOT OF CHOICES
Traditionally when the calendar showed September, school children ran off to their neighborhood schools, and parents hoped a good education was waiting behind the doors. Today parents and students have many choices to make: Is the right school down the street or across the county at an option or charter school? Will my child learn best in a structured setting or in an open learning environment, in a large school or a very small one, with a regular curriculum or a specialized one? The decisions are hard and the choices are many.
Most children choose to attend a neighborhood school, but it may be one outside their own neighborhood boundary. Open enrollment allows any Colorado student to enroll in any school in the state on a space-available basis, with preference given to residents of the local school district. Parents who decide to provide a home school education can receive assistance from the school district with field trips, special classes, and learning materials.
Jeffco Public Schools offers a few programs for very special populations: Jefferson County Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program provides a full range of courses plus education in parenting, as well as on-site child care, for students who are pregnant or new mothers. The Johnson Program gives expelled 7th - 9th graders a second chance at an education. Fletcher Miller School serves severely impaired students from preschool through age 21.
This report highlights the other choices available for parents and students in Jeffco Public Schools, focusing primarily on option schools and charter schools.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN JEFFCO NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS
Jeffco Public Schools provides some special programs within schools, especially in high schools, to meet different needs of students. Students who wish to participate in these programs must apply to be in them.
ACE (Alternative Cooperative Education), is a division of career and technical education that specifically address students with special needs. ACE professionals provide the training, services, and/or extra resources essential for students to have equal access to education and training for successful participation in a competitive workforce. Special needs individuals include youth who face challenges such as academic and/or economic disadvantages, disabilities, limited English proficiency, or teenage pregnancy and parent lack of education (dropouts or dropout risks). The ACE program is in these high schools: Alameda, Arvada, Bear Creek, Chatfield, Columbine, Conifer, Green Mountain, Lakewood, Longview, McLain, and Standley Lake.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a comprehensive, student-centered program that focuses on student achievement, intervention and college preparation for traditionally underserved populations and second quartile students (students in the middle) who historically have not considered going to college or who come from families who have never gone to college. AVID combines rigorous academic instruction with a mentorship and community outreach structure that supports individual student success in school. The process creates independent life long learners that are skilled in the business of school and excel in academic and intellectual arenas. Jefferson High School and Wheat Ridge Middle School have the AVID program.
Community Learning Centers are programs at Arvada High School, Jefferson High School, and McLain High School in partnership with Red Rocks Community College. Each school has a Community Learning Center Coordinator who works with students and parents around the college application process, financial aid, and scholarships. Among other things, they also work with high school teachers to offer dual credit in some classes and to build capacity with high school staffs in understanding the AA degree and certificate programs, along with prerequisite skills, offered at Red Rocks. A long-term goal of the partnership is to offer Red Rocks classes and College Readiness classes for students and parents at the school sites.
Concurrent enrollment in a class allows high school students to receive both high school and college credit. These courses have specific curricular requirements and teachers possess advanced degrees. Prior to the high school accepting dual credit courses, the principal must pre-approve them. The cost of these courses is incurred by the student. An example of a dual credit opportunity in high schools is the CU Succeeds program. The majority of Jeffco’s high schools offer CU Succeeds. Post Secondary Educational Options (PSEO) are available when a student has taken all of the high school’s courses in a specific content, allowing the student to take a college or university course that is an extension of the high school’s curriculum. The student can receive dual credit with prior approval from the principal, and the district may reimburse tuition to the student with prior approval from Jeffco’s Chief Academic Officer. Concurrent enrollment and PSEO allow students to further their education by receiving transcripted college credit. Last year, over 2,000 college credits were earned by Jeffco students.
Gifted Centers are an optional program for students who are identified as Gifted, although the needs of advanced learners are mainly addressed at each neighborhood school. In existence since 1984, Gifted Centers are housed in regular school settings and provide full-time educational experiences. Instruction involves acceleration, enrichment, and attention to affective needs. Classrooms are self-contained for core subjects and mainstreamed for field trips, guest speakers, specials, and other curriculum unites planned at the site. Transportation must be provided by parents. Car pools are arranged by parents to assist in daily routine. Gifted Centers are at Coronado, Devinny, Hackberry Hill, Kendrick Lakes, Kyffin, Parmalee, and Westridge Elementary Schools and at Creighton, Evergreen, Ken Caryl, North Arvada, and West Jeff Middle Schools.
International Baccalaureate diploma program, located at Lakewood High School, is a rigorous pre-university course of study, leading to examinations, which meets the needs of the highly motivated secondary school students. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of the various national systems of education, the IB is based on the pattern of no single country. It provides students of different linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social, and critical perspectives necessary for the adult work that lies ahead of them. The comprehensive IB program provides students with a balanced education in all the main disciplines: languages, social sciences, experimental sciences, mathematics, and elective subjects. The intent is that students should learn how to learn, how to analyze, how to reach considered conclusions about people, their languages and literature, their ways in society, and the scientific forces of the environment. Lakewood High School offers a four-year curriculum; two years in the Pre-IB and two years in a college-level curriculum which challenges Jefferson County’s best scholars and promotes international understanding. Successful completion earns the student an IB Diploma. Students must apply for admission to the program.
JeffcoNet Academy, located at McClain Community High School, is considered a “hybrid” approach to online education. Not only does it offer a flexible schedule of district aligned standards-based classes, but it also offers mandatory face-to-face classes to help students achieve in online education. It is a full-time program in which students may complete all of the required credits to earn their high school diplomas, including physical education.
Students come to the school for diverse reasons and take many academic and career paths. Self-direction and self-discipline are necessary for students to succeed. Some students enrolling are gifted and talented students in the arts or athletics, some are caretakers, some have health problems, some have restrictive work schedules, and others have not succeeded in traditional schools. Many attend Warren Tech. Students take five or six classes per semester. Every Friday students must come to classes at McLain for labs, group discussions, and other educational activities. Five full-time teachers communicate with their students via email, the phone, or are available at McLain from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Students receive the course content and quizzes online; discussion boards and chat times are set up, as well as an optional study lab on Wednesdays from 1 – 6 p.m. The school has existed for six years and has 132 enrollees. There is no tuition, only material fees like all other high schools.
North Area Option School, located at Arvada High School, is a choice program within the school. This rigorous college preparatory school operates as an integral yet separate instructional program at Arvada High School. In its second year, there are currently 75 students in 9th and 10th grades attending; a grade is added each year until all four grade levels are filled. Students in NAOS take 7 classes a day, which exceeds the district requirements. Traditional courses are offered but are expanded to include college preparatory as well as Advanced Placement courses, including AP English, AP English Literature, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology and Genetics, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP American History, and AP World Languages (Spanish, French, Chinese, and German). NAOS uses (specially trained) teachers already working at AHS, and the students take their electives along with AHS students. As long as there is room, any AHS student may take classes in the option school. Every effort is made to assimilate the two student bodies in extra-curricular activities, student government, and athletics. Students are drawn from the Gifted Center feeder schools (Hackberry Elementary and North Arvada Middle) in the north area as well as Manning School and some charter schools. Currently 25-30% of the students come from outside the AHS attendance area. There are several ESL students and one special needs student. CSAP scores from NAOS and the rest of AHS are grouped together for reporting.
OPTION SCHOOLS
Option schools are public schools created and governed by the Board of Education, housed in district facilities, operated under district policies, and financed like any neighborhood school. They select a particular approach to teaching and learning that may not normally be found in neighborhood schools. The district hires licensed, Highly Qualified faculty, who receive district benefits. An application for enrollment must be filed, and a waiting list is possible. More than 30 years ago, the Jefferson County School District established its first two option schools, Open Living and Warren Tech.
JEFFCO OPTION SCHOOLS
Brady Exploration School
5290 W. Ohio Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226
303-982-6722Brady Exploration School is an option for students in grades 9-12 needing an alternative to the traditional high school. Remodeled from a former religious facility, Brady contacts and recruits the 2,000 Jeffco dropouts each year to enroll in this new school environment. The school’s mission is to reach and teach the “hardest to serve” children of Jefferson County. Extra assistance is provided with a food bank, after-school tutoring, and night classes.
Brady enrolls 200 students working for a high school diploma, not for a GED. In addition to serving dropouts, the school instructs students expelled from metro-area high schools, teenage mothers, special education and online students, and homeless pupils. The mobility rate at the school is 100%, and the poverty rate is 73%. The homeless population is 14%, and the expelled group is 20%. The Brady campus also has an Indian Education center and a Family Literacy center.
Most Brady students are at least three years below grade level in literacy and mathematics. Student achievement is measured by continuous progress monitoring and the CSAP and ACT tests.
Another unique feature of Brady is a new urban agriculture program where students raise free-range chickens and trout for learning business and financial skills. An FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter has started at Brady.
D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
10359 West Nassau Ave., Denver, CO 80235
303-982-2600D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School was founded in 1994 as a secondary school (grades 7-12) based on the philosophy that all students should be held to rigorous academic and behavioral standards. D'Evelyn, accredited as a college preparatory school, is committed to the premise that mastery of the skills and knowledge acquired through the study of the core academic subjects is the foundation for all subsequent learning. Its curriculum is designed to convey an essential body of cultural knowledge, with the premise that a solid liberal arts education is required in order for citizens to be effective participants in their communities. Independent, analytical reasoning, based on objective knowledge, is an essential skill and is encouraged throughout the program.
D'Evelyn has a highly structured format. The school has a 7-period day for students at all grades, high levels of homework, and an instructional model that is textbook-based, whole-group, and teacher-directed. The arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities are encouraged. Behavior standards are clearly defined and enforced. Parent involvement is extremely high.
D'Evelyn accepts students on a lottery basis; there are no admissions requirements or screening.
D'Evelyn has more than a 99 percent graduation rate every year and the highest Colorado ACT composite score for public schools for all 7 years of the test. The school was the winner of Paul Davis Sportsmanship Award 6 of its 14 years, including 2007, and winner of the 2006 Siemens Advanced Placement Award. It was ranked 8th by 5280 Magazine for "Denver's Best High Schools."
Dennison Elementary School
401 Independence St., Lakewood, CO 80226
303-982-6382Dennison is an alternative elementary school serving students district-wide. Its sixth graders have first option to enroll at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High. Instruction occurs largely in self-contained classrooms. The Open Court reading and writing program is used for teaching phonics. Grade-level materials are taught in a whole-group instructional setting, and students are not grouped by ability. Basic skills are emphasized and textbooks are the basis for sequential instruction. There is no uniform for Dennison students, but appropriate dress expectations are spelled out in the student handbook. Dennison’s students come from throughout Jefferson County and are selected through the Choice Enrollment process. Limited bus service is available to and from school.
There are many extracurricular activities including rock and mineral club, chess club, math club, geography bee, intramurals, oral interpretation, spelling bee, young writers, French, Spanish, and Sign Language groups. Choir and handbells are also available.
The strong parental support and the structure system of the school are valuable incentives for the teachers. Although participation by parents is not required, many Dennison parents are involved in enrichment activities, committees, PTA, after-school activities, or as educational assistants, library volunteers, computer lab volunteers who work under the half-time computer teacher, and classroom assistants.
Dennison has been honored as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School for sustained high academic achievement over time by the U.S. Department of Education. Dennison was the only elementary school in the state to receive this honor in 2003. Dennison has been rated as Excellent on the SAR every year since it was established and was the top elementary school in the state on the 2003 SAR. Dennison has received the John Irwin School of Excellence award every year.
Jefferson County Open School
7655 West 10th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215
303-982-7045The goal of Jefferson County Open School is to educate the whole child to help him or her become a competent, curious, creative, and caring adult. Personal and social goals are incorporated along with intellectual and academic skills. Students develop proficiency in self-directed learning by setting goals, carrying them out, and evaluating their own performance. Six “Passages” are required for graduation: Adventure, Career Exploration, Creativity, Global Awareness, Logical Inquiry, and Practical Skills.
JCOS is unique as a PK-12 school where inter-age activities are thoughtfully planned to include art projects, school-wide musicals, outdoor activities away from the school building, and a variety of celebrations and all-school activities throughout the year. Families can come to know one another.
Travel, apprenticeships, and internships provide hands-on experiences through which students see the relevance of their learning. The elementary curriculum includes overnight camping trips. Recent trips taken by older students include Zion National Park, New York, New Zealand, Japan, Peru, and Germany. Up to 40 trips per year may be scheduled. At each age level, time is set aside to develop relationships and learn the principles of self-governance and group work. Advising – the development of strong, caring relationships between adults and students – is a cornerstone of the Open School. It is through advising that students develop their own unique education plans.
Nearly 90% of Open School graduates enter college, and 80% of those complete their education, with a full 30% pursuing graduate studies.
Long View High School
13301 West 2nd Place, Lakewood, CO 80228
303-982-8523Situated in the shadow of three large school campuses -- Warren Tech, McLain, and Red Rocks -- sits tiny Long View High School with only 60 students. Established in 1994, Long View High School is so named because the philosophy and approach that students and teachers take is “the long view” toward education. Real accomplishment takes time and effort. The three-grade high school (grades 10-12) enrolls students who have not done well in a traditional setting and have dropped out or are about to drop out. There is a selection process each quarter to admit new students. Students are interviewed for admission and must demonstrate their commitment to being in the program. The school offers students a personalized education along traditional lines. There are four teachers and one staff assistant.
Several students attend Long View in the morning and Warren Tech in the afternoon. Grades are given, the atmosphere is casual, and the students are expected to maintain a high level of behavior and treat others with respect. Field trips, to supplement classroom instruction are taken on Thursday afternoons.
The SAR shows no rating for Long View because schools or groups with less than 16 students are not reported.
Manning School
13200 West 32nd Ave., Golden, CO 80401
303-982-6340The Manning School is a middle school with grades 7-8. Its philosophy is based on the belief that all students can achieve in an environment that includes rigorous standards, a close partnership between home and school, and high expectations for student conduct. The curriculum is textbook-based and offers honors level classes in language arts and mathematics. Reading, writing, and mathematical skills are stressed across the curriculum. The math program employs the Saxon Math series. Teachers offer drop-in tutoring for students each week. Grades are issued every three weeks.
The school offers information meetings so that parents can learn about its educational program; parents are urged to attend this prior to enrollment. Parents are encouraged to volunteer at least one hour per month.
All full-time faculty members possess Master’s degrees, and two teachers have doctorates. There is a half-time intervention teacher to work with students with special needs. Manning offers Art, Physical Education, band, computer literacy, academic achievement, and Spanish 1. The school is not considered a feeder school to D’Evelyn; students are likely to attend a traditional high school.
McLain Community High School
13600 West 2nd Place, Lakewood, CO 80226
303-982-7460 or 303-982-7474McLain is an alternative high school providing dropout prevention and dropout recovery programs for youth and adults. On-site child care is available for students.
Several alternative high school programs for youth are offered at McClain: ACE and Achieve Academy are programs that allow students to earn a high school diploma and gain a marketable skill. JCAPPP (Jefferson County Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program) offers high school courses along with parenting and child care classes. JeffcoNet Academy is a hybrid online educational program offered at McLain. There are no extracurricular programs at the school, but students can participate at their home schools.
Two adult programs are also offered: The Competency-Based Program offers GED preparation and classes to complete credits for a Jefferson County high school diploma to students who are 18 and older. English as a Second Language classes are offered for those who do not have English language skills.
The SAR, which measures only the youth programs, indicates that McLain Community High is rated as Low.
Warren Tech
13300 West 2nd Place, Lakewood, CO 80228
303-982-8600Warren Tech offers career and technical training in 25 different programs, which prepare students for employment, additional career training, or post-secondary education. Programs include Accounting, Auto Collision Repair, Entertainment and Event Planning, Cosmetology, Computer Technician, Biotechnology, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, Video Game Programming, and many more. Students age 16 and older attend Warren Tech for half the day and their home school the other half-day. Several programs provide nationally recognized industry certificates. Students may also attend more than 25 career programs at Red Rocks Community College.
All of the teachers at Warren Tech are certified; in addition, they have from 2,000 to 10,000 hours of required job experience in their area of expertise. Instructors enjoy teaching at Warren Tech because they find it rewarding to teach their technical skills to young learners. There is a core group of parents, plus highly interested business and industry representatives, who are involved with each of the school’s program advisory committees.
The students learn Career Competency Skills that include teamwork, productivity, and consistency. Students who are not achieving at the expected level are counseled to identify why they are having difficulties. Counseling may result in students choosing to be moved to another program that better meets their needs.
Most programs are self-paced. Most classes are held in 3-hour blocks. Most students complete their academic requirements at their home school and then come to Warren Tech to be involved in career and technical training. Only a small number of students enrolled are attending Warren Tech exclusively. Students return to their home school to participate in extracurricular activities.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
A charter school is a public school founded and operated by a group of parents, teachers, and/or community members that is responsible to, but run autonomously from, the school district. Charter schools are approved by the school board and must negotiate a contract, or “charter,” with the board outlining the school’s plans. A charter school must be non-sectarian, non-religious, and non-discriminatory in its admission policies. Colorado first authorized charter schools in 1993.
In 2004, the Legislature passed a law creating the state Charter School Institute, which can establish charter schools in districts that have not been granted “exclusive chartering authority” by the State Board of Education. These CSI schools are outside the jurisdiction of local school districts and funded solely by state funds. Their students are not considered part of the school district in which they are located. There are no CSI charter schools within the boundaries of Jefferson County because Jeffco Public Schools met the requirements for exclusive chartering authority.
In 2005, a new kind of hybrid charter school, Hope Online Academy, was created by the Vilas School District. Hope Online Academy is a charter school with an online program, but unlike the other online schools, it provides “learning centers” that its students attend daily, with “mentors.” Several of Hope’s learning centers are located in Jefferson County. Their students do not count as Jeffco students.
In 2007, charter schools enrolled 4,256 students in Jefferson County.
Charters, the contract between the school and the school board, must spell out the school’s goals, standards, educational design and curriculum, governance, and operations. The school board can grant a charter for any number of years, require accountability reviews, revoke a charter, and renew an existing charter. The charter school must comply with district policies and all state and federal laws, rules, and regulations unless specifically waived. Charter schools must also meet or exceed state academic standards.
The State Board of Education can grant waivers from specific state statutes and regulations. Most of the charter schools in Colorado have applied for and received waivers, primarily those pertaining to teacher employment issues. Groups that have an application denied by the local school board can appeal to the State Board of Education, which can overturn the original decision.
Teachers are hired as employees of the charter school and are not usually subject to the school district’s salary schedule or requirements (depending on the terms of the charter and the waivers granted). The range of salaries for charter school teachers is quite broad, with a number attempting to match district salaries; however, several charter schools start teachers at salaries lower than the district salary. Certification is not required in all charter schools, although most teachers have a state certificate or are working on it. All employees must be members of PERA (Public Employees’ Retirement Association) as required by state law.
Admission to a charter school is open to all students, and admission tests cannot be given. Special needs students must be accepted. Charter schools receive state categorical funding on a per capita basis for special needs students and are expected to have a program that would be comparable to a typical neighborhood school. When more extensive services are needed, the school district provides those services without charge. All charter schools are expected to follow district policy regarding choice enrollment, except Jefferson Academy, which uses a waiting list for enrollment in the elementary school. Long waiting lists can sometimes be misleading, because some children are on several lists at one time and some are added to the lists before they are school age.
Funding is allocated by the school board using the fixed dollar amount called the Per Pupil Revenue (PPR). Charter schools receive 100% of the PPR to fund their expenses, minus administrative costs, which is usually about 1% or 2%. Charter schools may also “buy” services from the district; most of them participate in the lunch program. Some services are required to be paid by the charter schools, such as financial services; the district issues and signs all checks for charter schools. Charter schools may not charge tuition except for full-day kindergarten and preschool. Fees may be collected at the charter schools, and many schools augment finances with grants. The Walton Foundation is particularly helpful to charter schools. Most charter schools do extensive fundraising. Jeffco Schools bond money is available to charter schools, based on legislation that passed in 2002; all of Jeffco’s charter schools now receive a per capita allocation from the most recent bond election and have used that money for construction and/or other capital improvements.
Start-Up Funds were given to charter schools in the past to assist in their opening; recently, that is no longer the practice. Federal grant monies are available through the state for charters as start-up funds, to assist in their development and for specially designated projects. If a charter school does not have enough money to meet quarterly expenses, a no-interest loan is given by the school district with a payback schedule. All loans granted have been paid back on time or early.
Transportation and Extracurricular Activities are offered on a very limited basis or not at all at charter schools. Students often must return to their neighborhood school to participate in sports and most extracurricular activities. Some of the charters offer limited after-school activities, but these are usually on a fee-basis. Most charter schools do not offer transportation; families are responsible for transporting their children to school.
Safety Codes. All charter schools must follow all the district policies related to student safety and are required to submit safety plans just as the neighborhood schools do. State building codes must be followed, and all facilities must receive a Certificate of Occupation from the state. District staff inspects buildings on behalf of the school board before the board approves a site. These requirements, however, are not as strict as regular district requirements.
JEFFCO CHARTER SCHOOLS
Center for Discovery Learning (closed)
One of the first charter schools, Center for Discovery Learning was dissolved by the Board of Education because of its low academic achievement. This was the first charter school to close for academic reasons in Jefferson County and in Colorado. The Brady Exploration School was created to serve the students from CDL.
Collegiate Academy
8420 S. Sangre de Cristo Road, Littleton, CO 80127
303-972-7433Collegiate Academy, formerly Sci-Tech, is one of the original charter schools in the county and was founded in 1994. A former manufacturing building was renovated in 1998, and a 28,000 square foot high school addition with science labs, a media center, drama/music room, and a shared gymnasium was built in 2002. Collegiate Academy has 551 students in grades K-12.
The philosophy of the school is based on Core Knowledge and incorporates ability grouping with hands-on and rigorous academic training. The premise is that some students have the ability to achieve but are “falling through the cracks” in traditional schools, so Collegiate Academy works with different learning styles and the lessons can be individually paced. Full-day kindergarten classes are now offered at a cost of $275 per month. Half-day kindergarten is offered with no extra fees. Math for 7th and 8th grades includes the Eduss math supplemental software program. The high school students have a variety of AP classes offered to them, as well as a college preparatory curriculum.
Extracurricular activities include karate and aerobics. Parents coach roller hockey teams. There are no regular school sports teams; students must go to local high schools to participate in these. Extracurricular activities are fee-based. Elementary school students have uniforms. The upper school student’s dress code is strict but does not require uniforms. Collegiate has teachers that are specialists in subjects such as Art, Music, foreign language, etc.
An 11-member board of directors composed of an elementary school teacher, an upper school teacher, five parents, two students, and two community members governs the school. Funding is from the Per Pupil Revenue from Jefferson County and from grants. The board hires the principal, who handles all day-to-day operations.
Parents are requested to volunteer 40 hours per year. Parents must fill out a request for enrollment prior to admittance. Middle and high school students who have not previously attended the elementary school are interviewed to have them explain why they want to come to Collegiate Academy.
Teachers have Jefferson County School health benefits, and they may add dental and vision coverage if they wish. All teachers are certified; they must become Colorado-certified within two years. Teachers are motivated to teach at the school because they believe in the school’s philosophy. The school has computers in all the classrooms as well as in the library, the technology lab, and the resource lab. Collegiate has two special education teachers, two part-time special education aides, two part-time psychologists, and a part-time literary specialist.
The SAR rates Collegiate Academy elementary level as Average, the middle school as High, and the high school as High.
Compass Montessori Elementary School – Wheat Ridge
10399 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
303-420-8288The Wheat Ridge Compass Montessori offers a Montessori curriculum for children in a unique setting. The school opened in the fall of 1998 and serves students ages 3 through 12 in grades pre-K through 6. The aim is to meet each student’s needs in a self-paced curriculum and multi-aged classrooms. The enrollment for this school is 203.
The school is housed in a renovated farmers’ market. Architects have kept the farm atmosphere using corrugated steel, unfinished wood, farm murals, and even a mini-silo where students can gather for special projects. The students are in spacious classrooms with 30 students per room and grouped by grades pre-K to K, grades 1 to 3, and grades 4 to 6. For the youngest groups there is one Montessori teacher and two trained assistants for a 10:1 student/teacher ratio. The elementary classes have a 15:1 ratio. Classrooms are filled with children working on individual or group materials at tables, on the floor, or some in the large hallways. The noise level is moderate, the students wear slippers inside the school, and students address their teachers by their first names. Montessori materials are utilized more than textbooks, but there is usage of some traditional textbooks. The school offers P.E., Music, Art, and foreign language.
Two governing bodies oversee school operations: the Executive Committee and the Accountability Committee, both made up of parents, staff, and community members. The school has a wide group of parents who help with field trips, one-on-one reading, special classes, etc. Each family is asked to volunteer 50 hours and to pay a $100 materials fee. The pre-school tuition is $525 per month, but scholarships are available.
Teachers must have either a Montessori or a Colorado teaching certificate, but some have both. The teachers enjoy the public setting for the Montessori principles, the small student-to-teacher ratio, the focused students, and the sense of community. Starting pay is comparable to that in the regular public schools. Because the school attracts special needs students, it has a full-time special education teacher, a speech and language teacher, and a social worker three days a week and an occupational therapist one day a week.
The SAR rates Compass Montessori Elementary as Average.
Compass Montessori Secondary School – Golden
4441 Salvia St., Golden, CO 80403
303-271-1977The Compass Montessori Secondary School in Golden has pre-kindergarten through 12th grades. This school is on an eight-acre, historic site on Easely Road next to North Table Mesa in Golden. Enrollment is by lottery.
The school offers an authentic Montessori curriculum in a unique setting for students age 3 through grade 6. The secondary school offers an Erdkinder Montessori for 7th through 9th grades, with agricultural activities, cooking classes, and a rigorous interdisciplinary, research-based course of studies. The 10th through 12th graders use the Montessori High School program that focuses on individual studies.
Compass Montessori was named "A 2005 Gain-Maker School" for exceptional improvement in student achievement in at least one grade level as measured by CSAP in writing, reading, and math in 2003 through 2005. The SAR rates Compass Montessori middle school as Average and the high school as Average.
Excel Academy
11500 W. 84th Ave., Arvada, CO 80005
303-467-2295Founded in 1995, Excel Academy was formerly housed in a storefront facility as an elementary school. It is still located in the northern part of the county, but it is now a K-8 in a new facility south of Standley Lake, with a 44,000-square-foot building. This includes 20 classrooms with a computer lab, a gymnasium, and music and art rooms. Excel is on a calendar slightly modified from the district school calendar.
The school offers a “rigorous academic program delivered in both traditional and non-traditional ways” with a student/teacher ratio of 22:1. Units of instruction are organized around the Core Knowledge curriculum. Each student has a student learning plan (SLP) that documents learning goals and assessments. Teachers write most of their Core Knowledge curriculum. Classes are multi-aged so that each student spends two years with the same teacher. Teaching methods include whole-class instruction and non-traditional methods such as experiential, reality-linked, and differentiated instruction.
A board of directors, consisting of five parents, a community member, and the Director, governs the school. Each parent is asked to donate 40 hours of service a year. Parents perform small maintenance jobs, decorating, classroom support, and one-on-one reading with students.
Teachers must have a teacher certificate, although not necessarily one from Colorado. The faculty is drawn to the school by the close-knit community, the strong parental involvement, the freedom to be flexible, and the encouragement to create their own Core Knowledge curriculum.
The enrollment is now 439 students. The SAR rates Excel Academy as High.
Free Horizon Montessori
581 Conference Place, Golden, CO 80401
303-231-9801Free Horizon Montessori, in its sixth year, offers an authentic Montessori curriculum to children ages 3 to 12 divided into primary, lower, and upper elementary classes. Since 2005, the school has been located in spacious facilities within a modern office park in Golden. Two new classrooms were added this summer to accommodate the enrollment of 244 students.
Emphasis is placed on hands-on, self-paced learning in multi-aged classrooms, featuring studies of mathematics, science, geography, cultures, and languages. Students can be seen in each classroom working on various activities, some seated on small rugs, some at tables or desks; one teacher and an assistant are present to deliver lesson plans and direct the learning process. Students appear to be happily engaged in work. Art, music, gym, and Spanish are part of the curriculum with scouts, pottery, drama, and choir offered after school. When the school was visited, there were nine ESL students, and 11% of the total enrollment has IEPs.
Parents are extremely enthusiastic and essential to the success of the school. They conduct several big fundraising events to pay for earmarked projects and are expected to donate 30 hours of school service a year.
Teachers at Free Horizon must have a bachelor’s degree, state certificate, a Montessori certificate, and three years’ experience. A Learning Research team consisting of a psychologist, counselor, occupational therapist, and a speech/language consultant is available.
Free Horizon’s population is growing, and the school is evaluating capacity and community needs at this time.
Jefferson Academy
9955 Yarrow St., Broomfield, CO 80021
Elementary 303-438-1011, Secondary 720-887-1992Jefferson Academy is unique because it is located in a former Jefferson County school building. In the past two years, another building has been added for high school classes. Currently, the 7th and 8th grade students are housed in temporary buildings. The school has 750 students in grades K-12. Considered to have a rigorous academic program, the philosophy of the school is Core Knowledge in the elementary school, with a coordinated humanities program with sequential content in the secondary school. Most of the textbooks are current with older textbooks used as supplements.
There are extracurricular activities. The high school has seven sports teams that participate in the Colorado High School Activities Association in the 2A Division. The students also participate in science fairs, Destination Imagination, debate, and music. The dress code conforms to district policy. The campus is closed; students may not leave school grounds during the school day.
A board elected by the parents and consisting of six parents and a non-voting administrator governs the school. The board is elected for three-year terms, and officers are elected annually. Although parents are encouraged to volunteer, there are no requirements to do so—20% of the parents do most of the work. There are fees for books and elective classes in the upper grades as well as for sports.
Classes are limited to 27 students, and an educational aide is in the elementary classroom with the teacher for most of the day along with some additional volunteer help.
Jefferson Academy is the only charter school with a waiting list. Enrollment is taken from the wait list, not the Jefferson County Classic Enrollments Form. Jefferson County residents have priority. The SAR rates Jefferson Academy elementary as High, middle school as High, and high school as High.
Lincoln Academy
6980 Pierce St., Arvada, CO 80003
303-467-5363The philosophy of Lincoln Academy is embodied in the Core Knowledge Sequence, a back-to-basics curriculum which emphasizes strong discipline in the classroom and school. The school provides whole-group instruction in a very strict setting with high expectations for every student. Special classes include Art, P.E., and Music. Keyboarding skills and computer lab are also taught. The dress code conforms to the district policy.
The school began in 1997 with one class each of K-3 and a multi-aged 4th/5th grade. In March 2001, the present site was purchased, which Lincoln Academy currently occupies. A seven-classroom addition was completed and occupied in October 2001. A 7th grade was added in August 2005 and an 8th grade was added in August 2006. There are 824 students in grades K-8. Most classes contain 26-29 students.
A five-member parent board, which is elected for a three-year term by other parents, governs the school. To run for the board, a potential candidate must have been active in either the school PTO or the Accountability Committee for one year. The principal is a non-voting member of the board.
Parents are expected to provide 20 hours a year of volunteer time. The principal or an assistant follows up with families who are not meeting their commitment. Volunteers work in the classrooms or do fundraising, maintenance, grant writing, etc. Fees are the same as for neighborhood schools for books, etc.
Teachers are asked to be certified or in the process, but the school does have a waiver from state law on this. They purchase health benefits through the Jefferson County School District. Teachers seem to like to work at the school because of its philosophy.
Lincoln Academy received a rating of High on its recent SAR.
Mountain Phoenix Community School
11398 Ranch Elsie Rd., Golden, CO 80403303-642-7634
Mountain Phoenix is the newest charter school in Jeffco, a K-8, opened in September 2007. Its program is an arts-based, developmentally appropriate education inspired by Waldorf Education that nurtures the whole child. Teachers will be trained in both Waldorf and Enki education. The school provides instruction with art, music, drama, and movement woven into the full curriculum provided through theme-based study. Students learn to speak French and Spanish. No textbooks are used. Students are divided into three multi-age groups: kindergarten, grades 1-3, and grades 4-8.
The school currently has 49 students (42.5 full-time equivalents), with the potential to increase to 89 (60 FTE). The current enrollment has 11 students from Jeffco, 19 from Boulder County, 1 from Gilpin County, and several from other districts or home schools. The school has some special needs children, but no English language learners.
Mountain Phoenix is located on a leased property in Coal Creek Canyon, converted from a home with a detached garage. The program is very nature-focused; students do a daily walk through the mountainous area on the large school property, and most of the supplies and furniture are made from natural materials, such as wood, cotton, and glass.
A Governing Council composed of four parents and one community member governs the school. Parent involvement is very high at the school, and the school has an “open-door policy.” Parents provide snacks, help with building maintenance, take students on field trips, and help with drama class. Parents are asked to volunteer at least 3 hours per month.
The school has 3 teachers, all certified, and all of whom live in the Coal Creek Canyon area. They are paid for continual training in the Enki approach. All the staff are on Jeffco’s district health plan.
Montessori Peaks Academy
9904 West Capri Ave., Littleton, CO 80123
303-948-5991Montessori Peaks Academy offers the Montessori philosophy of education, fostering individualized learning and high standards of individual excellence by guiding students through a learning experience based on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori. Montessori philosophy and methodology is based on the education of the whole child. This includes cognitive, academic, emotional, physical, and social development of the child with the desired result of making children self learners. Teaching is task-oriented and teaches life skills.
The school was founded in 1997. The first years were in a storefront building and a new building was constructed in 2002/2003 at the present site. An addition opened in October, 2007 that includes a gymnasium, art and music rooms. The classrooms are multi-aged, which allows the students to progress at their own pace. In addition to K-6 classes, Montessori Peaks offers tuition-based preschool, full-day kindergarten, and summer school programs.
A nine-member board composed of seven parents, one faculty member, and one community member governs the school. The board is elected by the parents. The parents at the school are highly involved in the success of the school. They are asked to provide 50 hours of volunteer time or donated materials. There is a student fee of $125/year or $75 for part-time students. The school has received significant financial support from public and private foundations.
All of the teachers must be certified by a Montessori Training Center as well as certified to teach in Colorado or another state, but eligible to be certified in Colorado. Teachers receive health and dental benefits. Their main motivation for teaching at this school is their strong belief in the Montessori teaching methods.
The SAR rating for academic performance was Average, with a growth rating of Stable.
New America School
1005 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80214
303-894-3171New America School is a high school dedicated to providing intensive English instruction to a unique population: non-English-speaking young adults ages 15-21. These students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma by successfully completing a rigorous academic curriculum. The students face barriers associated with poverty in their daily lives and depend on the school for a safe and stable learning environment.
In this second year of its operation (2007-2008), the school serves 200 students who come from non-English speaking, lower income, and at-risk backgrounds. The school population is 87% on free and reduced lunch and about 50% born in Colorado. Some students have had no previous formal education, and few students receive educational help from home. Some students are at New America School because of trouble in their home school.
To overcome these disadvantages, the school aims to equip students with academic, personal, and social skills for success in the job market and/or in post-secondary options. Students who read or speak no English are enrolled in a 4-hour per day Sheltered English program and taught the academics, norms, and high expectations of the American school. Baseline assessments are used to monitor student progress, and CSAP and CELA will be taken in 2008. Teenage mothers are given a $14-per-day stipend for child care as long as the mother attends class.
New America School teachers specialize in “experiential learning” in which teachers and students collaborate on inter-disciplinary and hands-on projects. The teachers are all English as a Second Language (ESL) qualified or working toward this endorsement; also, the teachers meet the Highly Qualified requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. Teacher salaries are comparable to neighborhood schools.
Three scheduling options are available to students to accommodate family and work obligations: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 2:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; or 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The school closes on Fridays, as most students are employed in service industries Thursdays through Sundays. A strict dress code is enforced, and school uniforms are being considered for the 2008-2009 school year.
The New America School has a state-of-the art computer laboratory with laptops and smart boards to enhance and complement classroom instruction. There are no stand-alone computer classes. The science lab is adding more equipment.
The New America School is housed in the old school building that once housed Lakewood Elementary and several other Jeffco programs. Like most charter schools, New America is dependent on funding from grant money and private donations. The New America School is a new national model created by former State Board of Education member Jared Polis, and other NAS schools in Colorado are located in the Aurora, Northglenn, and Eagle County areas.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen
30636 Bryant Drive, Evergreen, CO 80437
303-670-1070The curriculum of Rocky Mountain Academy is based on the Core Knowledge program, an academically rigorous program that helps students establish a strong base of knowledge for higher levels of learning. The Core Knowledge curriculum is supplemented by literacy, mathematics, science, and writing programs.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen in Evergreen is a K – 8 school that opened in September 2001. A preschool was added in 2003. It is located in a two-story building that was previously an office building. The halls are narrow, but the rooms are large with large windows. Each room has outside fire escapes, and there is a ramp allowing handicapped-access to an outside play area. The play area is a small area that is black-topped and fenced. The school is in the process of moving to a new site that will better accommodate its program.
The school features a low student-to-teacher ratio and places a high priority on parent involvement in the school community. A seven-parent board of directors elected by the parents governs the school. Parents are requested to volunteer 60 hours per year. The PTO administers volunteer hours. Students are asked to pay a $75 textbook and technology fee.
Teachers are either certified or eligible to become certified, although certification is not required. The teachers are involved in developing the curriculum, which motivates them to be a part of the school. Many of the teachers are making the transition from the private sector to the public schools.
Rocky Mountain Deaf School
1291 Youngfield St., Golden, CO 80401
303-984-5749The philosophy of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School is to provide deaf students with a bilingual program, which uses American Sign Language (ASL) as the language of instruction while teaching English literacy as a second language. Rocky Mountain Deaf School offers a full-service program for deaf children in grades pre-K- 8 who reside in the Denver metro area. Both the pre-school and kindergarten are tuition-free, full-day programs for children 4 years and older.
All staff members are fluent in both ASL and English. The bilingual philosophy employs ASL as the language of instruction while teaching English print as a second language, which allows deaf children to utilize what they know in ASL as the bridge to English learning. The school emphasizes a balanced literacy approach within integrated, thematic units which build on students' previous learning and strongly tie into state standards.
The parents’ role is much the same as it is in any neighborhood public school. However, parents sign a contract to volunteer 20 hours per year. There are no fees, including none for pre-school or for full-day kindergarten.
All of the teachers are state-certified and have master’s degrees in deaf education. They maintain a portfolio containing personal goals and how they plan to achieve them. Prior to employment, they must also submit a videotape demonstrating their proficiency in sign language. Both deaf and hearing teachers are currently on staff, with a majority being deaf.
This school provides an alternative to parents of deaf children in the Denver metro area. Previously, their choice was limited to oral or simultaneous communication programs education offered by the neighborhood public school or to send their children to the state school for the deaf and blind in Colorado Springs.
Although students take the CSAP, because of their special education status, the school receives no SAR rating.
Woodrow Wilson Academy
8300 West 94th Ave., Westminster, CO 80021
303-431-3694
Woodrow Wilson is a K-8 charter school that is centered on Core Knowledge, with Open Court and Saxon Math curriculums. Core Knowledge focuses on building a vocabulary and knowledge base on which future instruction can build, broaden, and deepen. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that all children are given access to the same knowledge base that assures later educational success.
The school was founded in 1999 and opened its doors in the fall of 2000. The school moved to its current location in the fall of 2001. An expansion has now been completed that includes a new multi-purpose gymnasium as well as a technology and media center. Rooms are large with access to the main hallway or to the playground and the outdoors. There is a library, but no cafeteria, so students bring lunch to eat in their classrooms or outdoors.
An eight-member board elected by the parents consists of seven parents and the principal, who is a non-voting member. Terms are for one to three years with the option of running for re-election. Woodrow Wilson is debt-free because one board member has written several grant requests and the school has received some sizeable amounts. Although book fees are suggested, they are not mandatory.
Parents are very involved and have logged 16,800 volunteer hours in year one. They help with the care of the building and classrooms, with general maintenance on the grounds and as chaperones on field trips.
The school’s academic performance rating on the SAR is High, and the academic growth rating is Decline for the elementary school and Improvement for the middle school.
JEFFCO OPTION SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS
Option School
Grades
2005-2006 SAR Rating
Predicted 2007-2008 Enrollment
(FTE)
2006-2007
% Mobility
2006-2007 % Free and Reduced Lunch
2006-2007 Average % Advanced/Proficient on CSAP Reading
Brady Exploration School
9-12
HS--Low
209
100%
63%
23%
D'Evelyn Junior/Senior
7-12
MS--Excellent HS---Excellent
1023
MS--2% HS--4%
MS--3% HS--3%
MS--90% HS--98%
Dennison Elementary
K-6
Excellent
618
1%
5%
97%
Jeffco Open School
PK-12
ELE--Low MS---Average HS--Low
ELE--214 MS-- 84 HS--- 262
ELE--13% MS-- 9% HS-- 10%
ELE--48% MS--30% HS--30%
ELE--63% MS--57% HS--61%
Long View High School
10-12
(alternative education campus)
45
131%
13%
(sample too small --less than 16)
Manning School
7-8
Excellent
384
4%
5%
89%
McLain Community High School
9-12 plus Adult Ed.
Low
206
70%
33%
44%
Warren Tech
9-13
(alternative education campus)
24
(reported at home school)
(reported at home school)
(reported at home school)
JEFFCO CHARTER SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS
Charter School
Grades
2005-06
SAR Rating
Predicted
2007-2008 Enrollment (FTE)2000-2007
% Mobility
2006-2007
% Free and Reduced Lunch2006-2007 Average % Advanced/Proficient on CSAP Reading
Collegiate Academy
K-12
ELE--Average MS---High HS---High
551
19%
10%
ELE--71% MS---69% HS---58%
Compass Montessori- Golden
PK-12
ELE--(sample too small)
MS---Average HS----Average
308
29%
18%
ELE--(sample too small)
MS---49.5% HS---83.5%
Compass Montessori-Wheat Ridge
PK-6
