About Us
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the tuition to attend this charter school?
There is no tuition to attend. It is a free public charter school.
2. Who can attend this school?
Pending approval of our charter, Math and Science Preparatory Academy will be open to students entering K-4th grade and residing in the Fulton County Schools attendance zone.
3. Are uniforms required?
Yes, to help create an environment conducive to learning, students at MSPA will be required to wear simple uniforms. This policy is designed to permit students to focus their attentions on academics and on those aspects of their personalities that are truly important.
4. When is the school scheduled to open?
The school is proposed to open in August of 2010.
5. What will the class sizes be?
Kindergarten classes will have up to 20 students; all other grades will have up to 25 students. Kindergarten and first grades will have an instructional assistant.
6. What is the maximum enrollment for the first year?
We expect to enroll about 431 students the first year. After the first year, we will expand the number of students that can attend until we reach a maximum of 811 students.
7. How do you handle discipline?
Every student will be required to sign a contract with his or her parents and teacher at the beginning of the year that stipulates that the student will contribute to a positive and constructive learning environment, including not causing disruptions. We have also found that students are less likely to be disruptive when they are enjoying themselves, and our curriculum provides that enjoyment.
8. Are parents allowed to participate in their child’s learning experience?
We strongly encourage parental involvement at home, and we request that each parent volunteer at least 15 hours every year to the school. We will also have Paragon® Nights every 5 weeks when parents can come to the school and see their students perform and demonstrate what they have learned in that 5 week period.
9. What type of volunteer activity is expected of parents?
Parents are asked to volunteer in areas that meet their skills and interests. The specific tasks will vary widely from reading to Kindergarten students, helping in the lunch room, aiding in office duties and afternoon pick up, to name a few.
10. Can I come to the school and observe my child’s class?
We welcome your visit, and hope you will make arrangements with the school staff to do so.
11. Have you hired the faculty yet?
We have not yet hired the faculty and staff.
12. Will the school’s teachers be certified?
Our teachers, like all public school teachers, must be highly qualified in accordance with the federal laws regarding No Child Left Behind.
13. Do you teach foreign language?
Yes, we will offer foreign language for every student, beginning in Kindergarten.
14. My child has special needs. How do you provide for specialized services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc?
Special arrangements will be made to provide these services within the school setting pursuant to the child’s Personalized Educational Plan.
15. What makes Math and Science Preparatory Academy different?
- A safe environment where high student achievement is THE focus of the school
- A rigorous educational program that combines core fundamentals with the arts
- A special focus on math and science.
- Paragon® social studies program engages students and incorporates art, music, and dance into learning.
- A longer school day (8:00am-3:30pm)
- Foreign language, music, art, and physical education instruction for ALL students in all grade levels
- Involved parents and a supportive school community
16. How do you handle the standardized state tests? Are these administered as they are in the local public schools?
Students will take the CRCT test just like any other public school. We will participate in the same tests and use this data to help develop our school improvement plan to move the school to continuously higher levels of achievement. In addition, students will take a national norm-referenced test (i.e. the Iowa Test of Basic Skills) to determine academic progress during the school year.
17. Why should parents be confident that the school’s curriculum will help children excel on the state’s standardized tests?
Parents should feel confident that the school’s curriculum will help a child excel on the state standardized test because our curriculum is aligned to the state standards and benchmarks. It is also important to know that the school will use the Grade Level Content Expectations that have been put out by the state for English Language Arts and Math.
18. How does your method of instruction address the variety of learning styles?
Our proprietary curriculum (Paragon®) is one of many tools used to tap into the students’ multiple intelligences. We will also use Personalized Student Achievement Plans to help clarify and focus on the attainment of specific academic and social goals.
19. What are the “Personalized Student Achievement Plans” and how are they determined?
Each student has a Personalized Student Achievement Plan (PSAP). This plan is a document that the student (if age-appropriate), parents and teacher complete. This document helps in the goal setting process as well as the collection of student data. Every quarter, the parent, teacher, and child will review this PSAP and set appropriate benchmarks for success.
20. I understand that a lottery is held if “too many” students apply. How is the lottery handled?
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in a given grade, a lottery is held. Parents of prospective students will be notified as to the date of this lottery. Students’ names will be randomly selected, and if a student is chosen, his or her siblings will automatically be allocated a space as well. Once the slots are filled, the remaining names will be drawn and put on the waiting list in the order drawn. As spaces are made available in those grades, students will be taken from the waiting list. If there is no waiting list in any grade, students will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis.
21. What is a typical daily schedule?
In the early grades, a typical daily schedule is as follows:
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM Before school program (voluntary and fee-based)
7:45 AM School is open to all students
8:00 AM School day begins
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
-Core Curriculum Reading
- Writing Workshop
- Mathematics
- Hands-on Science
9:30 AM & 10:15 AM Mid-morning breaks
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch – exact time depends on section and Recess
12:45 PM – 2:15 PM Paragon® Curriculum – Integrated study of world cultures that incorporates
- History
- Geography
- Art
- Drama
- Music
2:15 PM Afternoon break
2:15 PM – 2:50 PM Physical Education
2:50 PM – 3:30 PM Spanish
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Afternoon tutorials (free if prescribed by the teacher)
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM After school program (voluntary and fee based)
22. What is the Math and Science Preparatory Academy Advisory Committee?
MSPA will be vitally linked to the community it serves, and the Advisory Committee will play an important role in forging and maintaining this link. The general community may not be aware of what charter schools are or how they operate, and the committee will help by disseminating accurate and timely information, providing information on pre-enrollment procedures, and by obtaining supportive letters from business leaders in the community. For information on volunteering please contact us.
