Quest Academy, a proposed charter school in Montclair, is getting closer to a final approval. From an email sent out tonight:
Dear Quest Academy Charter School of Montclair Supporters,
We are excited to send you the latest update about the current status of the application submitted on March 31st, 2010. Our application was one of 35 proposed new charter schools in the state of New Jersey, and was among those chosen to advance to the next stage of the approval process. The founders were invited to attend a “Charter School Leadership Workshop” in early August, and our founding group was called for an Addendum meeting on August 3nd in Trenton. Tracey, Liliya and Claudia attended the Addendum Meeting, and met with the reviewers from the NJ Charter School Department at the DOE. At this meeting, we were pleased to learn that the team of “Independent Reviewers” concluded that our group merited moving to the next step. The NJ Charter School Dept. provided us with feedback on the revisions needed prior to its submission to the Commissioner of Education, Bret Schundler, for his final decision. We were given one week to complete these changes, which were successfully submitted on August 10th. The Superintendent of Montclair Public Schools, Dr. Frank Alvarez, has another 30 days from the August 10th date to present his response to the revisions. We should have the official decision sometime after September 10th, at which point, if favorable, all founders will attend a formal interview with the Commissioner of Education, Bret Schundler. We will continue to let you know about the status of our application. If approved, we look forward to opening our doors in September of 2011 to 160 students from 9th and 10th grades.
Will the Prof send the little Prof to the charter school?
Although charter schools are all the rage these days, I think this article illustrates that they are not the silver bullet everyone presents them to be.
Ah, no. Fortunately, we live in a town with an excellent school system, run by committed professionals who care not only about our kids, but whether or not they find their place in the world.
So, there is NO reason for me to consider a Charter. Or a private school for that matter.
And tudlow, I remember that article and a few discussion here about the merits of a Charter. I’m not convinced of its need here, but as I always say: you raise your kid however you like, just don’t ask for my tax $$ for your “special” school.
I still find all this test score, school picking, way too many extra-curricular activities, AP classes, etc. stuff amusing as folks become so overwrought, over scheduled, and over stressed– they fail to enjoy the kids they have, or I should say, they schedule the “fun.” (Mandatory play anyone?)
So, I don’t stress it. There about 2500 4-year colleges in the US. The goal is to find the one that fits your kid the best (really it’s to find the best PROGRAM within a school…)
Sadly, too many folks feel that only an Ivy will fulfill this requirement. And they couldn’t be more wrong.