You bet you do! Being given the choice to decide where your child should be educated is perhaps one of the most important things that have come about in educational reform. No longer do you have to send your child to a school because it is considered your neighborhood school. You can evaluate schools, both public and private, to determine what is best for your child and make informed decisions on where to educate your child.

In 1993, Colorado became the third state to enact a charter school law giving parents a choice in education. Fast-forward to 2016, and we can see that charter schools are thriving in Colorado and across the nation. This week marks National School Choice Week. I want to take this opportunity to provide some charter school facts of which you may or may not be aware. As with anything that becomes successful, it is inevitable that people will oppose it. If you have read the news lately, you may have seen articles or stories that do not always portray charter schools in a positive manner. I have read about charter schools that are run by for-profit corporations or management companies, how charter schools only select the top students or that charter schools have teachers who are not licensed.

 

Ben Franklin Academy is a Core Knowledge STEAM school of choice where any student may be admitted through our enrollment lottery process. We are governed by a group of seven amazing parents who selflessly volunteer their time and energy to create policies and govern the school to ensure that Ben Franklin Academy provides an outstanding education where all students can demonstrate achievement and growth. Ben Franklin Academy is NOT run by a for-profit organization. Each teacher in our school is licensed and highly qualified.

 

While we are required to give certain tests and choose to give other tests, we do so in order to evaluate the data and make informed educational decisions. We are a student-centered school, not a test-centered school. Our teachers are allowed to teach. They can focus on providing high quality instruction that meets the needs of our students. Our teachers and staff are treated as professionals who are given high expectations but are given the resources and support to be successful. The bottom line is that we are all here for the kids. We are dedicated to providing an outstanding education in a safe and caring environment.

Did You Know? 

Did you know that Colorado is considered a very friendly charter school state? Currently, there are 43 states that have charter school legislation that permits the creation of a charter school. States are ranked based on charter school laws, covering 20 components. I am pleased to say that Colorado ranks as the fifth best regarding charter school legislation. But what exactly does that mean? And why should anyone care? It means that we live in a state that embraces a choice in education. Parents are not tied to a school based on where they live. Parents are empowered to say they want something better for their kids and, in Colorado, have many options to choose something better. You should care that Colorado has such strong charter school legislation because it means school choice will not go away. It means that your tax dollars will follow your child to their charter school.

 

Charter Schools are Public Schools

• Charter schools in Colorado are funded in the Public School Finance Act, along with all other public schools.
• Charter schools receive per pupil revenue (PPR) on the same basis as other public school students enrolled in the district that granted its charter except that districts may retain up to 5 percent of charter school students' PPR for actual administrative costs. Douglas County School District does not retain this 5 percent.
• Charter schools are subject to all state and federal provisions prohibiting discrimination and must enroll students in a non-discriminatory manner.
• Although charter schools are public schools, they do not have the independent mill levy override and bonding authority that school districts use to finance their capital facilities. To the extent state funds are not available to support this cost, operating revenues are used to pay for these costs.

 

Colorado Charter School Facts:

• Free - no tuition except for full-day kindergarten and preschool.
• Public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, non-home-based schools.
• Non-selective in enrollment. There are no admission tests or admissions requirements.
• Often designed to serve underserved populations.
• Appealing to students whose needs are not being met by traditional schools.
• Frequently over enrolled; that is, more students apply than the school can accommodate. In that event, a lottery is held to determine admission.
• Required to have students take all state assessment tests.
• Required to have all teachers be "highly qualified" under No Child Left Behind Act.
• There are more than 226 charter schools in Colorado serving more than 108,000 students.
• Charter school enrollment represents approximately 12 percent of total K-12 public school enrollment in the state.

 

Charter Schools are Pioneers and Innovators

• Charter schools allow creative parents, teachers and educational leaders to design schools that better serve particular populations.
• Charter schools can limit class and school size. Charter school designers often heed to the research that states that small schools are generally safer and better able to nurture a community of learners than are large schools.
• Charter schools select their own curriculum design. They can establish achievement-oriented cultures and choose staff to best support these structures from day one.
• Charter schools are mission-driven schools created by educators who envision a school committed to a particular purpose and philosophy.
• The tenor of relationships between charter schools and their districts vary widely. Ultimately accountable implementation of a charter schools' mission is what best serves students; however, accountability need not be sacrificed for the very spirit of educational innovation and flexibility that the Charter Schools Act was intended to foster.

 

So, What Does this Mean to You?

It means that you made a conscious choice to provide your child with a better education by enrolling them in Ben Franklin Academy. It means you want to be involved in your child's education. It means that you want to be involved in a school that has such an amazing culture of acceptance and caring. It means that you want the best teachers and staff that are committed to being the best they can be. Finally, it means that you are confident that your child will be well-prepared for every step in their academic journey. Primary grade students (K-2) are well prepared to become successful intermediate grade students (3-5). Intermediate students are well prepared to become successful middle school students (6-8). Finally, Ben Franklin Academy middle school students are extremely well prepared to become successful leaders and scholars in high school. We have set the groundwork for your child in becoming a lifelong learner. We provide the knowledge and support necessary for you child to continue on as outstanding high school students. This is our responsibility, and we do not take it lightly. Thank you for entrusting us with your child(ren). As s/he journeys on to high school - which will be here in seven months for some of you and a longer way off for others (though it will be here before you can imagine) - you will be amazed with the results and just what a great job Ben Franklin Academy is doing/done with your child.

The choice is yours! You have made an excellent choice by enrolling your child at Ben Franklin Academy.