Riverview, Florida - State legislators and the governor have given families more school choice this school year and among the options are charter schools. These are publicly funded schools that are privately owned and operated. Hillsborough school district officials say charter school enrollment is up 56%. The district had 5,184 charter students last year, this year there are 8,110.
Parents are turning to charter schools like Winthrop Charter School in Riverview. The school opened with 802 students 38 shy of capacity and the K-5 school added a 6th grade due to demand. School officials are currently breaking ground for a new middle school. "We have 230 some students on a waiting list," says school Principal Terry Johnson.
The school is run by Charter Schools USA. Johnson says it's the only charter school management group in the state that has earned accreditation from SACS Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Charter Schools USA has 23 schools in three states most are in Florida. The group has applied for 20 new charter schools for 2012-2013 across the state 6 are virtual schools.
Johnson says the program's success is broken down into three parts; each student has a customized learning plan focusing on where they need help. "Our goal is to have a student centered instruction," explains Johnson. "We ask the student what are your goals," he says. "When students have a voice they buy in more to the instruction. When they see the celebrations, when they've met that goal that is the key." explains Johnson.
Parents have a voice too. They are required to volunteer 20 hours a year. Johnson says,"We know they are our true partners in education without parental involvement we would not be as effective."
Johnson says teachers and administrators are 100 percent invested. "My client is the 802 children who are out here in this building that's my client that's who I have to answer to and prepare for everyday," says Johnson.
That's enough for Parent Ginny Ponti to pull her son out of traditional public school and try a charter school. Ponti says,"My son wasn't challenged enough he was bored and it was the same old routine."
Some students like the charter school concept too. 10-year-old Sara Muniz says she does not want to go back to a traditional public school. "Because people are mean, principals don't care as much," says Sara.
Knayomi Vargas, 11, a 6th grader says she prefers the charter school teachers. She says, "They actually pay attention they don't skip you when you raise your hand."
Hillsborough is not alone, other school districts are seeing an increase in enrollment at charter schools. Pinellas has opened 4 new charter schools this year but will not release enrollment numbers until the 10th day of school.
Pasco did not open any new charter schools but did see enrollment rise by 213 students from 1,696 students last year to 1,912 students this year.
Manatee also did not open any new charter schools. The district had a slight increase in enrollment of 26 more students.
Sarasota County opened one new charter school. Enrollment increased by 790 new students from 4,079 students last year to 4,869 this school year.
Expect to see more charter school opening up. A new state law will make it easier for high performing charter schools to expand. These are charter schools that have earned an A or B grade from the state each of the last 3 years.
Statewide charter school applications for 2012-2013 school year are up 38% percent from 252 applications last year to 348 new applications this year. Hillsborough has received 27 applications for new charter schools, Pinellas 14, Pasco 11, Manatee 3 and Sarasota 6.
Charters still need approval from local school boards but if a school district denies granting a charter permission to open it must provide detailed documentation to state officials explaining why. School boards have until October 1st to decide on charter school applications. Charter schools like traditional public schools in Hillsborough receive $6,305 dollars per student from the state 5% of that money goes to the school district for administrative costs.
Principal Johnson says the competition between charter schools and traditional public schools is a healthy one. Johnson says, "I f we challenge each other to become better, to be more efficient, to be more productive, to educate our children with a more quality educational program that's going to help strengthen each other and as long as both sides are being strengthened who wins the children."
Isabel Mascarenas