Application Coversheet (Please type) Name of Proposed School to open in Fall 2007: The Rhodes School Name of Sponsoring Entity: The Rhodes School Note: If the sponsoring entity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the name must appear exactly as it appears in the Articles of Incorporation or any amendments thereto. The sponsoring entity is a (Check only one.): 5fl501(c)(3) nonprofit organization [U Governmental Entity Q College or University Chairperson of Governing Body of Sponsoring Entity: Michelle L. Bonton Chief Executive Officer of Sponsoring Entity: Same CEO/Superintendent of Proposed Charter School: Not Known at this time Name of Governing Body of Sponsoring Entity Member Who Attended an Applicant Conference: Michelle L. Bonton Date of Conference: 12/02/05 Applicant Mailing Address (Not a P.O. Box): 13518 Mobile Street. Houston. Texas 77015 Physical Address of Proposed Administrative Offices, if different from above: Physical Address of the Main Campus: Not Known at this time Physical Address(es) of any Additional Campus(es): Contact Name: Michelle L. Bonton Contact E-mail Address: Contact Phone #: (281)224-5873 Contact Fax #: (713)453-6321 Circle Grade Levels to be served: Maximum Enrollment: _ 750 (must include, by Year 3, at least one grade level in which TAKS is administered) K 1 J34~5> 78 9 10 11 12 Pre-K4 l^LJJLJ6 7 8 9 10 H 12 (/Year 3: Pre-K3 j^e-Kj^K 1 2 3 4_J^6 7 8 9 10 11 12 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 ' " rion after award. In accordance with TEC §12. 1" TCjt ------- **--+*-- that incomplete applications will not be considered. (BLUE INK) Signature of Chief Executive Officer of Sponsoring Entity Date Printed Name ^TM/ 1 iS^cPl/t?' _ a/3d/gg Michelle L. Bonton (BLUE INK) Signature of Application Preparer Date Printed Name With what company is the application preparer associated? _The Rhodes School. Was preparer paid? \ f DYes [gNo 701-05-008-007 TOGO The Rhodes School 13518 Mobile Street Houston, Texas 77015 (281)224-5873 TABLE OF CONTENTS Items . Page Application Checklist 3 Application Sections 1. Statement of Need 4 2. Vision of the School 7 3. Educational Plan 18 4. Student Goals 165 5. Human Resources Information 169 6. Governance 195 7. Community Support 201 8. Geographic Boundary 204 9. Admissions Policy 204 10-Special Needs Students & Programs 206 11.Business Plan 216 12. Attachments 12a. Notarized Biographical Affidavits 225 12b. Organizational Chart 226 12c. 501 (c)(3) Determination Letter 228 12d. Articles of Incorporation 229 12e. Corporate Bylaws 230 12f. Published Notice of Public Hearing 238 12g. Synopsis of Public Hearing 240 12h. Signed Certified Mail receipt Cards 243 12i. Audit Report 245 12j. Credit Report 250 12k. IRS 990 Filing 251 121. Letters indicating sources of private 252 funds 12m. Start-up Budget 253 12n. Budget for One Year of Operation 254 12o. Negotiated Service Agreements 255 12p. Negotiated Lease Agreements , 256 Deeds to Property, Earnest Money Contracts, or Purchase Agreements 0002 The Rhodes School 13518 Mobile Street Houston, Texas 77015 (281)224-5873 Applicant Checklist The Rhodes School The Rhodes School Proposed Twelfth Generation Charter School Name Sponsoring Entity Name This list MUST be used by each applicant to ensure all sections of the application are included, complete, and responsive to the requirements. Sections deemed non-responsive will be marked incomplete. Any attachment without the correct documents) will be considered incomplete. If attachments do not follow Section 11, this application will be considered incomplete. Application L^ Cover Sheet LX_Table of Contents ^x^' Applicant Checklist (T/jis checklist must be marked, signed, and included.) Application Sections (All questions in each section must be answered completely.) _¥_ \ Statement of Need • _j/2» Vision of the School Educational Plan Student Goals Human Resources Information Governance Community Support Geographic Boundary Admissions Policy Special Needs Students and Programs Business Plan Attachments (Mark to indicate that attachments are in order as indicated below.) / (See specific requirements for each attachment in the application.) _A Notarized Biographical Affidavits (p Organizational Chart 501(c)(3) Determination Letter from IRS or statement that item is not required if sponsoring entity is an institution of higher education or a governmental entity Articles of Incorporation filed with Texas Secretary of State and any amendments thereto, or comparable documents if the sponsoring entity is an outof-state corporation, or statement that item is not required if sponsoring entity is an institution of higher education or a governmental entity Corporate Bylaws or statement that item is not required if sponsoring entity is an institution of higher education or a governmental entity Published Notice of Public Hearing clearly showing the name of the newspaper and the date of publication and stating the proposed school name, sponsoring entity name, date, time, and place of meeting, and name of sponsoring entity board members Synopsis of Public Hearing Signed Certified Mail Receipt Cards or the certified mail receipt showing each addressee, fees paid, and the date mailed Audit Report (If an audit report is not available, provide each of the following: 1) an unaudited statement of financial position; 2) an unaudited statement of activities; and 3) unaudited statement of cash flows. The unaudited financial statements must include a notarized acknowledgement signed by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the sponsoring entity attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.) Credit Report or a statement explaining why this item is not available IRS 990 Filing or a statement explaining why this item is not available Letters Indicating Sources of Private Funds or Lines of Credit, Business Arrangements or Partnerships or a statement that there are no sources of private funds Start-Up Budget Budget for Year One of Operation (Budgets for Years Two and Three are also required in some cases where escalating enrollment is planned.) Negotiated Service Agreement(s) or a statement explaining why this item is not available Negotiated Lease Agreements), Deed(s) to Property, Earnest Money Contracts), or Purchase Agreement(s) or a statement explaining why this item is not available Items are checked to indicate their inclusion in proper order in all copies submitted to TEA as verified by the following: Michelle L. Bonton Michelle L. Bonton Name 0003 The Rhodes School 13518 Mobile Street Houston, Texas 77015 (281) 224-5873 Statement of Need 1a. The North Channel area (Channelview, Galena Park, and Sheldon ISDs, and parts of North Forest, Humble, and Houston ISDs) is home to almost 46,000 students, 86% of whom are ethnic minorities. According to AEIS data, 73% percent are economically disadvantaged and more than 50% are considered at- risk for academic failure. These students are historically underserved, have less opportunities to experience academic success, and therefore, have a much more limited sense of self-efficacy which leads to negative attitudes about education and increases the risk of failure and/or drop-out. Additionally, families in the North Channel area are extremely limited in their choice of educational programming because the districts in which they reside are limited in the educational programs they offer. There is a "one size fits ail" approach where programming is concerned. While research shows that magnet schools enrich the lives of students and improve their academic performance, none of the districts in the target area have an elementary magnet school program, and only one has any type of magnet programming at all. Students have little to no opportunity to explore their interests and talents beyond the traditional school program. Further, although the No Child Left Behind Act considers fine art programming a core part of the academic curriculum, North Channel area students, particularly those in elementary school, are grossly underexposed to the fine arts. Many districts have relegated fine art to one class during one grading period for the entire school year. Student interests and natural talents are not considered when deciding what type of fine art education is included in the curriculum. Most simply offer a basic art or general music class. This is despite the fact that research has proven time and time again that students who participate in fine arts education outperform their peers who do not participate in arts rich curricula. Studies by the Annenberg Foundation show that there can be as much as a 10% difference in achievement levels between the two student groups. This is a significant fact because the students in the North Channel districts identified as economically disadvantaged and/or at risk for failure consistently score lower on state and national achievement tests than their peers who do not have such indicators. Clearly, a different school model than that which currently exists is needed in order to close the achievement gap and provide expanded educational choice for these students. The board of directors believe the Rhodes School is a viable alternative to the limited school choice currently available to parents in the North Channel Community. The Rhodes School will expand parents' educational choice, and provide a positive educational experience for students. A positive school experience is proven to promote feelings of self-efficacy among students as well as having an impact on their attitude towards education. There is no question that perceptions of self-efficacy and positive attitudes about learning can make a real difference in the lives of children. The magnet school model proposed by The Rhodes School will provide multiple and varied opportunities for students to experience success on a regular basis. In this environment, high achievement becomes the norm rather than the exception.