|
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are:
- Public schools that are typically separate and distinct from the local city public school district.
- Free – they do not charge tuition.
- Open to all students who meet age and other enrollment parameters.
- Required to administer and report the results of accountability measures required by their sponsor to the state.
- Subject to local and state health and safety codes.
Charter schools are independent public schools made possible by various state laws. A charter is a written agreement empowering local and intermediate school districts, the State Department of Education, and other authorized sponsors to sign charters empowering schools. These contracts govern areas such as educational goals, curriculum standards, assessment measures, governance, and financing.
It is common to see teams of education professionals, parents, and often community or business leaders create the schools. They have flexibility in shaping the school, its curriculum, instruction, staffing, budget, internal organization, and much more, drawing ideas from experts worldwide and years of research. A defining aspect of charter schools is the fact that they are attended by students whose families choose them and staffed by educators who choose to work in them. The public authority that authorizes them can close the schools if they fail to produce satisfactory results.
back to top
What makes HOPE Academies different than other public
schools?
HOPE Academies' major goal is to give each student the opportunity to
achieve his or her maximum ability. With this goal in mind, the focus
of the educational program rests upon two overriding instructional undertakings – reading and mathematics. A student's degree of success during his or her school years and later in life is largely determined by the mastery of these subjects.
HOPE Academies pledge to help every student by:
- Teaching for the mastery of reading.
- Instilling math fundamentals for today's world.
- Creating good citizens practicing good citizenship.
- Encouraging writing that speaks.
- Providing state of the art technology that opens the door to the world and brings the resources of the Internet to every child.
- Employing the very best educators, administrators, and staff.
- Maintaining a safe, clean environment.
back to top
What curriculum will you use?
Our curriculum is based more on national standards but is also aligned
with the State of Ohio Standards that are used to produce the Ohio Proficiency
Tests. This alignment helps ensure students learn the skills they need
to perform well on the state tests as well as on national standardized
tests we give in the fall and spring of each school year. Because of the
use of national standards, our curriculum is compatible with those in
many states outside Ohio as well.
back to top
Do all HOPE Academies students have access to a computer?
Absolutely. We set goals for computer time for each of our students. In
each HOPE Academy classroom, there are approximately six state-of-the-art
PCs running custom-designed curriculum software augmenting traditional
teaching methods. Most HOPE Academies also have a high-tech computer lab
equipped with 30 PCs. Many HOPE Academies have wireless laptop labs. Every computer in every school is connected to the Internet via a school-based,
high-speed T-1 line, giving each student access to the very latest information at the click of a mouse.
back to top
Are your teachers certified?
Yes. In addition to passing a rigorous screening and interviewing process,
we conduct a thorough background check. All of our teachers meet state
requirements.
back to top
What grade levels do HOPE Academies serve?
- HOPE Academies Lincoln Park Campus serves children in grades
K-6, ages 5 through 13.
- HOPE Academies Broadway Campus, Brown Street Campus, Canton
Campus, Cathedral Campus, Chapelside Campus, East Campus, Northcoast
Campus, Northwest Campus, West Campus and Riverside Academy serve
children in grades K-8, ages 5 through 15.
- HOPE Academy High
School Campus serves children in grades 9-11, ages 5 through 17.
Please see our
locations page for complete information on
school hours, addresses, phone numbers, and
before-school and after-school care availability.
back to top
When does the HOPE Academy school year start and end?
Aligned with a traditional school year schedule, students attend from
late August until early June, with traditional breaks and vacations throughout
the school year.
back to top
What are the hours of operation at your Academies?
School hours vary by location. However, before-school and after-school care is available to parents for an additional charge. Please call us toll-free at 800-525-7967 for
complete information on before-school and after-school care availability.
back to top
Where are HOPE Academies located?
Please see our locations page for complete
information on school hours, addresses, phone numbers, and before-school
and after-school care availability.
back to top
How do you address discipline problems?
Each of our school locations has a set of written standards and policies
defining student conduct and school discipline based on mutual respect
of the student and school staff. These policies create a positive, proactive,
and organized approach to classroom management. These policies and standards
are designed to address student behavior, with the goal of reducing referrals
and keeping students in the classroom. Student misbehavior is used to
provide a valuable teaching opportunity, emphasizing skills for success.
All of our standards and policies comply with local and state laws and
requirements. Students are treated with dignity and respect by motivating
and encouraging responsibility through positive interactions. Our student
discipline approach promotes staff collaboration and unity in order to
meet students' needs. Our CHAMPs program (Conversation, Help, Activity,
Movement, and Participation) addresses teacher expectations for students
as they relate to any classroom activity or transition.
back to top
How do I enroll my child in a HOPE Academy?
Please fill out the
online pre-enrollment form
and one of our enrollment specialists will be in contact with you to discuss
enrolling your child.
back to top
Is transportation provided to and from school?
Yes. Ohio state law mandates that the public schools must provide student
transportation to and from our schools unless certain unusual circumstances
apply where the local public school district may offer payment to the
parent in lieu of transportation.
back to top
How do HOPE Academies serve students with special needs?
Our special education program operates in accordance with the state Model Policies and Procedures for the Education of Children with Disabilities.
Children who have been identified as having special needs are serviced
through a local service delivery plan, which includes the use of a special education resource teacher/consultant assigned to each building.
Limited English-proficient students are serviced through plans designed
with the collaboration of the Lau Resource Center, Special Education Regional Resource Center, the family, building staff, and, if possible, an English second-language teacher and such other resources as are required by state and federal law.
back to top
Are students in your HOPE Academies required to wear uniforms?
Yes. HOPE Academies students are required to wear navy pants or skirts
and white shirts.
back to top
How much is tuition?
HOPE Academies are fully funded through the State of Ohio Department of
Education. Therefore, students pay no tuition to attend. However, there
is an annual $25 activity fee. The activity fee will be applied directly
to your child's use for field trips and other extracurricular activities.
back to top
How do I apply for employment with HOPE Academies?
You can visit our HOPE Academies Careers page
to submit your resume. Or, if you would prefer to phone our human resources
department, it can be reached at 800-525-7967. You can also mail your
resume to Human Resources, 159 South Main Street, Suite 1100, Akron, Ohio 44308.
back to top
|
