the school has about 4 openings for 5th grade next year, and if there's enough interest, we'll add a second 6th grade class. if you or anyone you know are interested in our FREE TO ATTEND K TO 6 PUBLIC SCHOOL, please feel free to come to the meeting. NEWS RELEASE FROM JOHNSTON COUNTY’S FIRST AND ONLY CHARTER SCHOOL __________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DEAN OLAH, DIRECTOR DATE: MAY 15,2008 INFO@NEUSECHARTERSCHOOL.ORG PHONE (919) 965-8088 __________________________________________________________________________________________ NEUSE CHARTER SCHOOL HOLDS PARENTS’ RALLY/ ‘08-‘09 SCHOOL YEAR INFORMATION SESSION! Current, New, and Prospective parents encouraged to attend! WHEN: Thursday, May 15th, 7:00 PM WHERE: Alumni Building, Neuse Charter School Campus WHAT: Meet the Board and Staff, Discuss what we’ve learned in ‘07-‘08, and how to make ‘08-‘09 even better! **SPECIAL NOTE!! THERE ARE LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENROLLMENT FOR ‘08-‘09 IN 5TH AND 6TH GRADE. ACT NOW! WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDING A SECOND 6TH GRADE CLASS. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED, PLEASE LET THEM KNOW ABOUT US, OR EVEN BRING THEM ALONG TO THE RALLY! NEUSE CHARTER SCHOOL: A New Approach to Education in Johnston County The Neuse Charter School Vision Neuse Charter School is committed to building a caring, vibrant, and innovative academic environment to promote learning among its students and faculty by setting high expectations for students and teachers, offering international exposure with help from World View ( http://www.unc.edu/world/ ) to foster global awareness, and working to create meaningful partnerships with parents and the community. Currently, NCS offers grades K-5, but will add a grade per year over the next three years to become a full elementary and middle school program. NCS Mission Statement Neuse Charter School seeks to provide a challenging learning environment for students. High academic standards, a highly qualified staff, innovative approaches to teaching through the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, and strong emphasis on communication and critical thinking skills will be the distinguishing attributes of this school. Mandatory parental volunteerism and community involvement are high priorities of the staff and board to insure the school empowers every child to achieve his or her maximum potential. Neuse Charter School 605 West Noble St. Selma, N.C. 27576
Oh, just how you like it. I don't have any going to Kindergarten until 2010, but I do want to eventually check this school out as well.
How does it differ from a regular public school? Is the class size the same (18-20 students in public)? Is there the regular behavior issues? Is it more like at private school (with regard to parent involvement)? What do you have to do to get your child in that school? Currently mine are slated for public school at Polenta, but when DS (in 1st grade) came home from school asking what the F word meant, well, I was just wondering if a different school might be better! I know I can't control his environment, but it sure would be nice!!!
class size is 18 max. 18-20 in public? that sounds low to me... it differs from a regular public school in alot of ways. they receive operating expense money per student from the school system, but do not get the benefit of a facility, bus service, or cafeteria. the structure of the classes is such that flex groups are formed, and all levels of learning within a class can get individually tailored instruction. there have been some behavioral issues, but mostly with kids who found themselves in the school after not being able to get along in other public schools. this was our first year, and some kids applied because they weren't doing well in regular public school. most of the trouble-makers from the beginning of the year have weeded themselves out. parental involvement is REQUIRED. 4 hours per student per month. your impact on the school will be felt by you immediately, imho. you can be there as much as you want, actually changing and enhancing the school. it is run sort of like a private school. there is a board of directors, who meet once a month. there is a consultant, a curriculum director, involvement with worldview through unc chapel hill (they provide curriculum and exchange teachers from other countries). every student takes spanish twice a week. third grade and up can choose to take chinese. hands-on laptop technology lab (i was blown away when my kindergardener came home telling me how powerpoint works)...the list goes on. as for how you get in....lottery. apply, get on the waiting list...the lottery was held last month for next year. there are some open spots here and there (mostly 5th and 6th), but people drop out or never show up at the beginning of the year...and if you don't like it, they have to let you back into your regular public school..
we love it! our kindergardener is reading at a mid-2nd grade level, his spanish is surprising, his global awareness is such that he can name more countries in south america on a globe than i can, the kids are mostly really, really good kids with parents who care enough to go out of their way and try something different and work themselves to make it better...
that's good...then it's way lower than it used to be. when i was in school, 28 or 30 wasn't unusual (wake county). in third grade, i was in a class that had 52 students and 2 teachers...
As a Board member of NCS, I can honestly say that Dangerboy has pretty much got all of the bases covered in regards to everyone’s questions. Thanks a Bunch! Our biggest struggle seems to be the perception that Neuse Charter is a private school. It is not. Like DB stated, it is funded by the State of NC and County based on the number of students we have attending. We don’t not have the luxury of having the “state of the art facilities,” but do pour our dollar where it matters most…in the kids and their education. I have a daughter currently in the 3rd grade and attends Neuse. We couldn't be happier. I have a son who is enrolled at Johnston Christian Academy. If his grade was offered, I would have him enrolled in a New York minute. Our staff is top notch and the Board allow them to do what they do best…teach! The best thing about Neuse Charter School is that it gives parents options and a true choice in their child’s education. Parental volunteer is expected, encouraged, and not shunned. Neuse Charter School is not for everyone. With the school less than a year old, yes we have had and will continue to have struggles…what school doesn’t? But in a few years, mark my word, it will be “THE SCHOOL” that every parent in Johnston County will want their child attending. It is happening in Wake County at their Charter Schools…and it will happen here in Johnston. But don't just take my word, find out for yourself, stop by and visit.
So if my child starts kindergarden in 2010 I would want to apply in the spring of 2010? Just trying to get a timeline here, it sounds great and I want to do MY homework as a parent first as far as his education goes:lol:
I am a sales rep and met with a lady in the front office there recently (I wont mention her name but she is in charge). I was shocked by her level of incompetence and neglect for looking after the school's bottom line.
I also have spoken with a close friend that pulled her children out of NCS mid year... Their family were made many promises that were never fulfilled. Very sad really. That family was sooo soooo sooo very positive that NCS was going to be GREAT for them. We were thinking it might me good for DS too... but not this first year. I think it's a great idea and wonderful for JOCO. BUT there are many start up kinks that must be worked out first. It just needs more time.
Neuse Charter School Charter Schools are not for everyone. The great thing about having one in Johnston County is giving the parents a true choice in the child’s education. Before it started…parents had none. It was the school you were assigned too and that was it. I am not blind to the fact that we have had first year growing pains, but as a whole, all the parents have pulled together to make it work. Here are to statistics for folks to consider. Most first year Charter Schools in NC start out as K-2. Neuse Charter School started out K-5 Most first year Charter Schools in NC have only one class per grade. Neuse Charter School has 2 per grade except for 5th. On average, most first year Charter Schools in NC lose 35% of their student body during the first year. Neuse Charter School started with 208 students on our first day and today have 198 students enrolled. (Less than 5%) Half of the school is made up of students “outside” the Smithfield area. (32% from the Cleveland/Clayton school district) No school is perfect, and I don’t believe anyone will tell you that Neuse Charter School is any different. The great thing about Neuse is that parents really have a say in their child’s education and are encouraged to get involved. A lot of friends of mine didn’t send their child to Neuse because they felt they needed the facilities and other educational structure found at traditional public schools, which is fine. Kelyel…did your friends speak to any of the board of directors about he/her concerns...promises made but not kept? Was there an exit interview with the Director? How long did their child go there? GoWufpack…sorry you had a bad experience. Would you mind emailing me and letting me know exactly who you spoke with and “represented” the school, and when you were there? We have a ton of parent volunteers assisting in the office and I would like to look into the matter further is you wouldn’t mind sharing your experience. Or you can post your experience here. I don’t mind looking into it and letting everyone that is following along know. Again, no school is perfect…but I can guarantee this…I doubt if anyone had any problems at a traditional school, that the administration would be as concerned and as “hands on” in addressing and solving the problems as the Board of Directors at Neuse Charter School. We are not educational bureaucrats claiming to know and have all the answers; we are parents just like you working towards a common goal.
