Most Viewed Stories
Most Commented Stories
Most Recommended Stories
Save & Share this Article
2 charter schools approved, 1 on table
Comments 0 | Recommend 0D-49 will open one in 2008, one in 2009; D-11 considering one
At least one new school is set to open in August 2008, raising the number of charter schools in the area to 25.
The Imagine Classical Academy at Indigo Ranch, a charter school in Falcon School District 49, was approved after several public hearings.
A second school, Imagine Classical Academy at Forest Meadows, was also approved by the D-49 school board and is set to open in August 2009.
A third charter school application was submitted to a local district this fall. Colorado Springs School District 11 will discuss whether to approve Patricia Miranda Charter Academy in December.
Charter schools are public schools run by parents, teachers or community members under a contract with a local school board or the state Charter School Institute.
The Imagine Classical Academy at Indigo Ranch
CHARTERING AUTHORITY: Falcon School District 49
WHEN IT WILL OPEN: August 2008
LOCATION: Near Dublin Boulevard between Powers Boulevard and Marksheffel Road
TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 750 students in kindergarten through eighth grade
PROGRAM: The school will use Core Knowledge, which requires students to learn specific information in each grade and builds each year on prior knowledge. The school will also focus on character education and the three pieces of classical education, including grammar, logic and rhetoric.
CONTACT: ticaindigoranch. com or call 719-306-2966
OTHER NOTES: Imagine Schools is helping create the charter school. Tina Leone, principal and school developer, said Imagine Schools is a nonprofit company that allows the school to be tailored to the community needs but helps provide resources such as money to build a school. The school will have uniforms.
The Imagine Classical Academy at Forest Meadows
CHARTERING AUTHORITY: Falcon School District 49
WHEN IT WILL OPEN: August 2009
LOCATION: Near Black Forest and Woodmen roads
TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 750 students in kindergarten through eighth grade
PROGRAM: The school will use the same curriculum and programs as Imagine Classical Academy at Indigo Ranch.
CONTACT: ticaindigoranch. com or call 719-306-2966
Patricia Miranda Charter Academy
CHARTERING AUTHORITY: Colorado Springs School District 11
WHEN IT WILL OPEN: The school plans to open in August 2008, if approved by the D-11 school board in December.
LOCATION: First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave.
BEGINNING ENROLLMENT: 125 ninth- and 10th-graders
TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 250 students in ninth- through 12thgrade by the 2010-11 school year.
PROGRAM: Freshman classes would revolve around food science and nutrition; in 10th grade, the theme is horticulture and landscaping. For example, freshmen students might calculate measurements in recipes, determine the chemical composition of certain foods or write about the cooking process.
The school would offer classes in month-long blocks, with two two-week mini-blocks, as well. Students would attend two three-hour classes each day, along with lunch and a shorter elective class.
CONTACT: Ray Wallander, 593-9592
OTHER NOTES: The school would focus on students who have a high chance of not graduating. Nametags and school uniforms — khaki pants and a shirt with the school logo — would be required.
