COLLIER COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION 2012 MASON CLASSICAL ACADEMY 1 APPLICATION COVER SHEET NAME OF PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL: ___Mason Classical Academy____________ NAME OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION/MUNICIPALITY UNDER WHICH CHARTER WILL BE ORGANIZED OR OPERATED: _______Collier County________________________ The Organization has applied for 501(c)(3) Non-profit Status: Yes _______ No ___X______ Provide the name of the person who will serve as the primary contact for this Application. The primary contact should serve as the contact for follow-up, interviews, and notices regarding this Application. NAME OF CONTACT PERSON: _______KELLY_E._LICHTER_________________________ TITLE/RELATIONSHIP TO NONPROFIT: ______PRESIDENT________________ MAILING ADDRESS: _____8369 RIMINI WAY,_NAPLES,_FLORIDA_34114___________________ PRIMARY TELEPHONE: ( 239)__285-3599__ ALTERNATE TELEPHONE: (239 )_784-4237______ E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]___________________________ NAME OF EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER (if any): __N/A_____ NAME OF PARTNER/PARENT ORGANIZATION (if any): __HILLSDALE COLLEGE __________ Projected School Opening: __AUGUST 2014___ School Year Grade Levels Total Projected Student Student Enrollment Capacity Enrollment (if known) 2014-2015 K-6 276 2015-2016 K-8 342 2016-2017 K-10 414 2017-2018 K-12 489 2018-2019 K-12 564 I certify that I have the authority to submit this application and that all information contained herein is complete and accurate, realizing that any misrepresentation could result in disqualification from the application process or revocation after award. I understand that incomplete applications will not be considered. The person named as the contact person for the application is so authorized to serve as the primary contact for this application on behalf of the applicant. _____________________________________________ _________________________ Signature Title _____________________________________________ _________________________ Printed Name Title 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EDUCATIONAL PLAN SECTION 1: MISSION, GUIDING PRICIPLES AND PURPOSE Page 7 SECTION 2: TARGET POPULATION AND STUDENT BODY Page 13 SECTION 3: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGN Page 15 SECTION 4: CURRICULUM PLAN Page 24 SECTION 5: STUDENT PERFORMANCE, ASSESSMENT, AND Page 48 EVALUATION SECTION 6: EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS Page 54 SECTION 7: ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS Page 56 SECTION 8: SCHOOL CLIMATE AND DISCIPLINE Page 57 II. ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN SECTION 9: GOVERNANCE Page 60 SECTION 10 MANAGEMENT Page 71 SECTION 11: EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS Page 96 SECTION 12: HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT Page 96 SECTION 13: STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND ENROLLMENT Page 100 III. BUSINESS PLAN SECTION 14: FACILITIES Page 103 3 SECTION 15: TRANSPORTATION SERVICE Page 111 SECTION 16: FOOD SERVICE Page 112 SECTION 17: BUDGET Page 113 SECTION 18: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT Page 119 SECTION 19: ACTION PLAN Page 125 APPENDICES Page 127-210 FINANCIAL APPENDICES Page 211-266 4 August 1, 2012 Dear Dr.Patton and the Charter Application Review Committee, On behalf of the founders of Mason Classical Academy, I am submitting our charter application to you and the Collier County School District Charter Application Review Committee. Our sole purpose is to provide an educational opportunity for students, K-12, to become masterfully competent in mathematics, writing, reading comprehension, science, civics, and all other areas of a Classical Education with the hope that our graduates will become productive and contributing citizens of the United States of America. We seek to compliment the educational efforts of the teachers in Collier County by providing an alternative for the students in our area. We look forward to working with you and your staff to provide public school choice to parents and students in the school district. Sincerely, Kelly E. Lichter, President Mason Classical Academy 5 Executive Summary The mission of Mason Classical Academy is to develop within its students the intellectual and personal habits, values, and skills upon which responsible, independent, and productive lives are built, in the firm belief that such lives are the basis of a free and just society. The Academy prepares its students to be leaders in their homes and communities, entrepreneurs in business, and statesmen in government. Through its rigorous curriculum with a strong emphasis in civics, Mason Classical Academy provides a traditional education with a constant view towards developing exceptional American citizens. Mason Classical Academy (MCA) will target all students, regardless of personal circumstance, who desire a content-rich, rigorous, and time-tested learning curriculum in an environment that promotes and builds strength of character. MCA will welcome all students — public, private, and home schooled. Our plan is to open with grades K-6; adding 7th and 8th grades in Year 2 adding 9th and 10th grades in Year 3; and adding 11th and 12th grades in Year 4. MCA envisions primarily serving students from Collier County. To accomplish our mission, MCA will ground education in the humanities, the sciences, and the arts in several current and research-based curricula/programs in the elementary and middle schools. These include: the Core Knowledge Sequence — a specific, grade-by-grade core curriculum of common learning; Riggs Institute‘s The Writing & Spelling Road to Reading & Thinking — a multi-sensory, brain- based approach for teaching ―explicit‖ phonics, reading and language arts; Singapore Math — a conceptual approach to mathematical skill building and problem solving, and Full Option Science System (FOSS) — a hands-on approach to scientific inquiry with emphasis on fundamentals. In the high school, students will receive a classical liberal arts education that aligns with but exceeds Florida standards. Students will study all subjects — literature and language, rhetoric, math, history, civics, the sciences, music and art—through sound, time proven methods. As in the lower grades, the curriculum will be rigorous. Students will receive homework and seniors will be required to compose and defend a Senior Thesis as a capstone to their academic experience at MCA. Students at all levels will be trained in Socratic Seminars to encourage intelligent, logical, and independent thinking. MCA‘s curriculum with the supplemental programs has proven to be successful for all students, including those with special needs and second language issues. Several very unique innovations characterize MCA. First, students will study Latin informally beginning in the elementary grades, to facilitate reading comprehension and vocabulary, and bolster performance in all subjects. Second, students will study history mainly through primary source documents to foster analytical skills and essential insight into their culture and heritage. Third, MCA students will be trained in study skills, such as time management, organization, note-taking, and research, which are essential for academic and future success. Finally, we believe one becomes good only by practicing right behavior. Instruction in the classical virtues will be integrated throughout the curriculum and in all grade levels. At MCA, high academic achievement, personal discipline, ethics, and personal responsibility will consistently be reinforced through the study of subjects in the classical tradition. As students enter the program, MCA will use state required assessments, district required assessments, and assessments provided by Core Knowledge, Riggs and Singapore Math. When student levels are determined, instruction will be targeted to bring students up to grade level and challenge their academic potential for optimal learning. Classical Education is time tested and upholds a standard of excellence. We believe MCA‘s high standards and research-based curriculum, supported by a well regulated campus, will provide students a rigorous and complete education that will challenge them to excel both in learning and in character. Students will graduate MCA highly literate and excellent individuals, ready to become active and responsible members of their community. 6 I. EDUCATIONAL PLAN Section 1: Mission, Guiding Principles and Purpose A. Provide the mission statement for the proposed charter school. The mission of Mason Classical Academy is to develop within its students the intellectual and personal habits, values, and skills upon which responsible, independent, and productive lives are built, in the firm belief that such lives are the basis of a free and just society. The Academy prepares its students to be leaders in their homes and communities, entrepreneurs in business, and statesmen in government. Through its rigorous curriculum with a strong emphasis in civics, Mason Classical Academy provides a traditional education with a constant view towards developing exceptional American citizens. B. Describe how the school will utilize the guiding principles found in section 1002.33(2)(a), F.S. MCA will develop the academic potential and personal character of its students through a rigorous, classical liberal arts education. MCA will graduate highly-literate and intelligent ethical citizens who are well-prepared to uphold America‘s founding principles. They will become active, responsible members of their community. America's Founders knew that the preservation of free government would always depend on the capacity of the American people to remain faithful to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They also knew this would