Academy of Hope Public Charter School Application to the DC Public Charter School Board to establish a Public Charter School in the District of Columbia March 1, 2013 Table of Contents APPLICANT INFORMATION SHEET ........................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 2 A. EDUCATIONAL PLAN .......................................................................................................................... 4 1. MISSION AND PURPOSE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ............................................ 4 a. Mission .......................................................................................................................................... 4 b. Educational Needs of the Target Student Population .................................................................... 6 c. Educational Focus ....................................................................................................................... 11 2. GOALS .................................................................................................................................................... 16 3. CHARTER SCHOOL CURRICULUM ...................................................................................................... 20 a. Student Learning Standards ........................................................................................................ 20 b. Resources and Instructional Material ........................................................................................... 22 c. Methods of Instruction ................................................................................................................. 25 d. Students with Disabilities ............................................................................................................. 27 e. English Language Learners ......................................................................................................... 29 f. Strategies for Providing Intensive Academic Support .................................................................. 30 g. Strategies for Meeting the Needs of Accelerated Learners.......................................................... 32 4. GRADUATION/PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................... 32 5. SUPPORT FOR LEARNING ................................................................................................................... 33 a. Family Involvement ...................................................................................................................... 33 b. Community Participation .............................................................................................................. 33 c. School Organization and Culture ................................................................................................. 34 d. Extracurricular Activities .............................................................................................................. 35 e. Safety, Order, and Student Discipline .......................................................................................... 36 f. Professional Development for Teachers, Administrators, and Other School Staff ....................... 37 g. Structure of the School Day and Year ......................................................................................... 38 B. BUSINESS PLAN ................................................................................................................................ 40 1. PLANNING AND ESTABLISHMENT .............................................................................................................. 40 a. Profile of Founding Group ............................................................................................................ 40 b. Planning Process ......................................................................................................................... 45 c. Corporate Structure and Nonprofit Status of the School .............................................................. 46 2. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................ 47 a. Board of Trustees ........................................................................................................................ 47 b. Rules and Policies ....................................................................................................................... 51 c. Administrative Structure ............................................................................................................... 52 d. Performance History of Experienced Operator ............................................................................ 56 3. FINANCE ................................................................................................................................................ 56 a. Anticipated Sources of Funds ...................................................................................................... 56 b. Planned Fundraising Efforts ........................................................................................................ 57 c. Financial Management and Accounting ....................................................................................... 58 d. Civil Liability and Insurance ......................................................................................................... 58 i e. Provision for Audit ........................................................................................................................ 59 4. FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................................. 59 a. Identification of a Site .................................................................................................................. 59 b. Site Renovation ........................................................................................................................... 59 c. Financing Plans for Facilities ....................................................................................................... 60 d. Building Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 60 5. RECRUITING AND MARKETING ............................................................................................................. 60 a. Outreach to the Community ......................................................................................................... 60 b. Recruitment of Students .............................................................................................................. 60 c. Future Expansion and Improvements .......................................................................................... 61 C. PLAN OF OPERATION ......................................................................................................................... 63 1. STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ........................................................................................... 63 a. Timetable for Registering and Enrolling ....................................................................................... 63 b. Policies and Procedures for Enrollment and Withdrawal of Students .......................................... 63 2. HUMAN RESOURCE INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 65 a. Key Leadership Roles .................................................................................................................. 65 b. Qualifications of School Staff ....................................................................................................... 66 c. Staffing Plan ................................................................................................................................ 68 d. Employment Policies ................................................................................................................... 69 3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEETING DISTRICT AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................... 70 a. Health and Safety: ....................................................................................................................... 70 b. Enrollment data: ........................................................................................................................... 70 c. Maintenance and Dissemination of School Records: ................................................................... 70 d. Compulsory Attendance Laws: .................................................................................................... 70 e. Title I of Improving America’s Schools Act (the 1994 reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act) ................................................................................................................... 71 f. Civil Rights Statutes and Regulations of the Federal Government and District of Columbia: ...... 71 g. Other: AOHPCS will meet any other applicable requirements. .................................................... 71 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHARTER ...............................................................................................