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Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is the Schoolcraft Learning Community?
Schoolcraft
Learning Community is a charter school sponsored by the Minnesota
Department of Children, Families, and Learning. This innovative
public school provides an experience-based education for children
in grades K-8, based on understanding and appreciating: natural
sciences; language, culture, and values and creative arts.
What
is a charter school? How much does it cost? What are the admission
standards?
A charter
school is a publicly-funded school which operates under the
direction of its own board consisting of parents, teachers and
other community members. Charter boards make all staffing, program
and curriculum decisions and exercise complete control over
their budgets. Although many local and state regulations are
waived for charters, the charter school is held accountable
to a greater degree than all other schools. It will be closed
down if it fails to demonstrate achievement of its goals. Charter
schools do not charge tuition and, unlike magnet schools, do
not have admission standards.
If
the emphasis is on science, world languages and the arts, will
my child receive adequate instruction in other important subjects
such as math and reading? Will the teachers be licensed?
Reading
and math will be taught every day in groups of similar aged
students. The school's focus on the sciences, language and culture,
and creative arts will enhance the instruction of all the traditional
skill areas. For example, if a student has a great interest
in music, books on this subject can be selected to stimulate
his or her interest in reading; likewise math concepts can be
strengthened by experiments that demonstrate the relationship
of math to music.
The school's
success will be measured by evaluating improvements in all subjects.
Teachers are required to be licensed based on the same standards
as other Minnesota public schools.
What
languages will be taught at the school?
Although
many different languages and cultures will be explored, it was
decided that all students will receive concentrated instruction
in the French language and culture. (Prior experience or knowledge
of the French language is not required.) This language was selected
because:
- French
is spoken on every continent
- We are
close to Canada, a French-speaking nation
- The Ojibwe
language contains many French words and expressions
- The French
Village is likely to be the site of the school.
- Studying
the French language and culture fits well with the area's
history.
How
will the classrooms be divided?
There will
not be individual "grades" but students will be grouped in similar
age ranges for math, reading and language instruction and will
be in multi-aged groups for other learning experiences.
Will
special education be available?
Students
will receive the services stipulated in their Individual Education
Plan (IEP) from Schoolcraft's instructors and/or other contracted
teachers as needed. Services will be coordinated by a licensed
special education director.
Where
will the school be located and will transportation be provided?
We lease
space from Concordia Language Villages and occupy the Lac du
Bois (French) Village located northeast of Bemidji. Schoolcraft
contracts with School District 31 for these transportation services.
Will
my child be able to participate in sports and other extracurricular
activities available in District 31?
We intend
to facilitate student participation in community and district
activities on a case-by-case basis.
Does
a charter school skim off the highest achievers? Is it a "dumping
ground" for those unable to succeed in the traditional school
setting?
Recent studies
of charter schools indicate that these schools don't attract
just the "golden" students. They often serve a disproportionate
number of students traditionally considered to be low-achieving
or otherwise "at-risk." Many recent studies demonstrate that
charter schools can successfully provide an atmosphere in which
more than the average number of students thrive and achieve.
Does
a charter school weaken an existing school district?
Charters
can create dynamics that begin to give district schools a reason
to change and improve - ultimately benefitting not just the
students that attend charters, but all students in a district,
region, or state. In addition, Schoolcraft organizers are committed
to sharing innovative educational delivery methods through cooperative
programs with Bemidji State University and local school districts.
How
can I find out more about Schoolcraft Learning Community?
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