Our Spotlight this month is on Flagstaff Academy Charter School right here in Longmont. I know many parents are curious about charter schools and how they differ from traditional public schools. Whether you’re looking for a new school or just plain curious, here’s what I discovered;
MK- Tell me a little bit about Flagstaff and how it differs from a traditional public school?
FA- Since our founding in 2005, Flagstaff Academy has built an exceptional educational environment which values developing the whole child through an award-winning Pre-K to 8th Grade Core Knowledge academic program. Our curriculum is rich with experiential arts, hands-on science exploration, character education, and innovative technology integration. A charter school is a public school operated by a group of parents, educators and/or community leaders as a semi-autonomous school of choice. Charter public schools are governed by a contract between the members of the charter school community and the local school district. Charter schools offer free open enrollment for all students.
MK- Flagstaff is considered a STEM school. Do kids get any exposure to music and art?
FA- At Flagstaff Academy, as a science and technology-focused school and because we are rooted in Core Knowledge, we understand the importance of a well-rounded education. We pride ourselves on a robust and integrated foreign language and arts program that enriches the learning experience for every student, at every level. We offer visual art classes that develop across artistic mediums from elementary school through middle school with classes that include animation, digital photography, and advance art.
Our music program provides all students the opportunity to sing, play, move, listen, and create. A variety of topics are covered at each level including musical elements, composers, and multicultural music. Recorders are introduced in third grade and beginning woodwind, brass and percussion are offered in fourth grade. Beginning band is available to fourth and fifth grade students with multiple performance opportunities.
At the Middle School level, Flagstaff Academy's music program includes beginning, intermediate, and advanced band, Jazz band, and choir. The advanced band performed at the 2016 Colorado League of Charter School's annual conference and was one of only two middle school bands invited to participate at the 2016 St. Vrain Valley School District's Music and Choir Festival, held at Silver Creek High School.
We also offer Spanish starting in fourth grade. Spanish is also an offered elective in Middle School, as well as French.
MK- Back to the STEM curriculum; many schools offer STEM classes, what's unique about your program?
FA- The curriculum's focus not only builds a solid foundation in science and technology, but prepares our students to succeed in high school and college, as well as become leaders in these fields. All Kindergarten, elementary and middle school classrooms have access to science labs and computer technology labs, as well as the only Geodesic Dome Classroom with an aquaponics farm, koi, and an outside organic garden. We also have a dedicated Innovations Teacher, who will be bringing engineering, coding, computer science, programming, and robotics to the elementary school, as well as supporting the high level middle school program.
Middle school students graduate with a high school level proficiency in computer science
Multi-year winners at the Corden Pharma Regional and State Science Fair
National and state winners of the VEX Robotics Championship include Flagstaff Academy teachers, current students, and alumni
School-wide "Day of Code" effort with 8th grade students teaching kindergarten through middle school students
Two student nominees for the Broadcom MASTERS national middle school science competition in 2016
MK- Many of our parents have children that are gifted and others who need extra help academically. How do you support both?
FA- Flagstaff Academy is committed to providing support for all students to reach their potential. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of gifted students; however, some may require special services. The students in the Gifted and Talented Program experience training in creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and logic.
Flagstaff Academy Charter School is subject to all federal and state laws under IDEA for special education services. Flagstaff Academy will purchase all special education services from the St. Vrain Valley School District and will be accountable to the District Board of Education regarding compliance with federal and state special education and disability laws.
The St. Vrain Valley School District will provide services required by the Individual Education Plans (IEPs), including, but not limited to, initial evaluations and re-evaluations, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology, low vision specialist services, autism specialist services, teacher of the deaf, paraprofessional services, sign interpreters, school psychology services, school health care services, and transportation services required by student IEPs.
