Charter School Petition Application and Instructions Conversion Charter School (including High School Clusters) “The mission of the Georgia Public Charter Schools Division Charter Schools Program is to 2053 Twin Towers East increase student achievement 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE through academic and Atlanta, Georgia 30334 organizational innovation by 404-657-0515 (phone) encouraging local school districts to 404-657-6978 (fax) utilize the flexibility offered by http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_charter.aspx chartering.” Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 1 C. Application Checklist ALL APPLICANTS: Be sure that you have included each of the following as part of your petition application. All applicants must submit an ORIGINAL and TWO COPIES of each of the materials listed below, unless otherwise indicated. Charter Petition Cover Pages (original and two copies) (form attached below) Executive Summary (original and two copies) (instructions attached below) Charter Petition Checklist (original and two copies) (form attached below) Charter Petition (original and two copies) Charter Petition on CD, in Microsoft Word or .pdf format (one copy) Copy of Letter of Intent submitted to the local board of education and the State Board of Education (three copies) Any other documents necessary to respond to charter petition requirements (e.g., appendices) (original and two copies) RENEWAL APPLICANTS ONLY: A redlined version of the charter petition showing all additions and deletions (original and two copies) Applicants must send or deliver completed applications to: Georgia Department of Education Charter Schools Division 2053 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 2 Conversion Charter Petition Cover Pages This form is for use by an existing public school seeking to convert to a charter school. Applicants must attach these petition cover pages (pages 4 to 15 of the application) to the front of the petition. Part I. Charter School Information Check one: x New Petition Renewal Petition Name of Proposed Charter School Wynnton Arts Academy______________ Local School System ____Muscogee County School District______________ School address 2303 Wynnton Road, Columbus, Georgia 31906 School contact person Nancy Johnson Principal Name Title Address of school contact 2303 Wynnton Road, Columbus, Georgia 31906 Telephone number of school contact (706) 748-3147 ____ Fax number of school contact (706) 748-3151 E-mail address of school contact [email protected] Grade Levels Served _____Pre-K - 5________ Ages Served _________4-12_____________ Proposed Opening/Renewal Date ___8/1/09____ Proposed Charter Term ____10 years_________ Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 3 For each year of the proposed charter term, please indicate in the table below the number of pupils the charter school plans to serve. K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total Yr 1 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 2 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 3 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 4 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 5 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 6 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 7 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 8 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 9 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Yr 10 60 80 60 80 80 60 420 Is this school currently in, or has it ever been, in Needs Improvement status under NCLB? No X Yes If so, when? 1999-2000 through 2004-2005 (6 years) Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 4 Part II. Assurances and Signatures 1. This petition has been agreed to, by secret ballot, by a majority of the faculty and instructional staff members at a meeting called with two weeks’ advance notice during which time a complete petition draft was available for review. Date of Vote February 7, 2005 Total Number of Faculty and Instructional Staff 43 Number Approving __43__ Percent Approving _100%___ Number Disapproving __0__ Percent Disapproving _0% _____________________________ Principal’s Signature Date 2. This petition has been agreed to, by secret ballot, by a majority of the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school who were present at a meeting called for the purpose of deciding whether to submit the petition. Two weeks’ advance notice of the meeting was published during which time a complete petition draft was available for review. Date of Meeting October 13, 2005 Total Number of Parents Attending Meeting 127 Number Approving 119 Percent Approving 94% Number Disapproving ___8___ Percent Disapproving __6%_ _____________________________ Principal’s Signature Date Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 5 3. This charter petition was approved by the Board of Education on _____________________. Date _____________________________________ ________________________ Superintendent Date _____________________________________ ________________________ Chair, Local Board of Education Date 4. Petitioner(s) assure(s) that the proposed charter school programs, services, and activities will operate in accordance with the terms of the Charter and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. _____________________________________ ________________________ Authorized Representative, Charter School Date Page 4 of 5 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 6 Part III. Executive Summary Please provide an executive summary of the charter petition. The executive summary for a new charter school petition should be no more than (2) pages in length. The executive summary for a renewal charter school Petition ma y exceed two pages. The executive summary should follow the general format set forth below: Basic Information: Charter School Name: Wynnton Arts Academy Type: Conversion Approved by the Muscogee County School District on ______________________. Mission The Mission of Wynnton Arts Academy is to continue our tradition of excellence in education through the positive interaction of students, staff, parents and community in order to prepare for successful living by igniting the desire for life long learning through immersion in the Arts. Academic Program Strategies to increase student achievement: The academic program of Wynnton Arts Academy is aligned with the mission and vision of the school. To educate our students and integrate the arts within the curriculum, Wynnton Arts Academy has the following performance objectives: • To improve reading skills • To improve writing and communication skills • To improve inquiry and mathematical skills • To improve social and peer interactions through the implementation of fine arts • To raise student self-esteem • To improve community involvement and support of the Arts. Examples of organizational innovation: The goals and objectives of the academic program will be met through the integration of the arts throughout the curriculum and in the extended day program by following the Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 7 guidelines set forth in the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and the National Standards for Art Education. Wynnton Arts Academy is a Title I School wide Program school that experienced six years of Needs Improvement status. As required by the No Child Left Behind Law, the faculty, staff, and stakeholders designed a plan to improve student achievement based on an arts integration model. In 2003-2004, prior to implementation of Arts Integration, 73% of students in the “All” category met or exceeded standards in English/Language Arts. Spring 2007 CRCT test scores demonstrated that 81.6% of our students met/exceeded standards. With respect to sub groups, black students increased their scores by 5.9%, students with disabilities increased their scores by 35.9%, and economically disadvantaged students increased their performance by 7%. ESOL students are classified as too few to measure as a sub group, although teacher analysis indicates that their scores improved significantly as well. In the area of mathematics, improvement in the “All” category increased from 66% to 75.9%. Sub- group performances also increased, as is demonstrated by black students (3.8% increase), students with disabilities (41.4% increase), and economically disadvantaged (10% increase). Again, ESOL students are classified as too few to measure as a sub group, but teacher analysis indicated significant improvement. This resulted in removal from the Needs Improvement status. The school has now achieved AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for the past three years. Organization Examples of organizational innovation: Wynnton Arts Academy is and will continue to be governed by the Wynnton Arts Governance Board, not undermining the guidelines set forth by the Muscogee County School District and the state of Georgia The community supports the charter petition. PTA members approved the request for a charter during a meeting at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year. 100% of faculty and staff supported the charter petition. Operated by Education Management Organization: No Evidence of the petition being in the “public interest”: The Arts Integration Model incorporates drama, music, art, and dance into the existing curriculum. The Fine Arts instructors collaborate with classroom teachers to enhance instruction. In addition the students participate in one fine art class Monday through Thursday. On Friday thirty minute specialty classes are offered to small groups to perfect an art skill. It is in the public interest to produce students who can contribute to the community as a whole. Stake holders were surveyed, interviewed, and participated in all facets of the charter application development. Parents overwhelmingly supported our pursuit to become a Charter School. Parent and community volunteers were interviewed in order to gain a better understanding of how we can better support them in their efforts to support the students and teachers at Wynnton Arts Academy. Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 8 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 9 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 10 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 11 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 12 Wynnton Arts Academy, Columbus, GA May 2008 13 LETTER OF INTENT Submitted to the Muscogee County School District in April 2005.