FAQs

Why should Garden City have a school?
Schools serve as centers of community and can help to create the future of the neighborhoods that they serve. Garden City is a very diverse city with a growing population. It has unique challenges and unique potential. However, there have been no public schools in Garden City. Garden City children have had to attend several different schools outside of the area, reducing the opportunity for interaction among residents. The leadership of Garden City sought to have a school created within city boundaries, and there was much public support for the idea.

Are charter schools private or public?
Charter schools are public schools. They are created with the approval of the local school board or the Idaho Public State Charter Commission. Charters must conform to laws governing education, they are funded by public tax dollars, and they cannot charge fees or operate for profit. Charters must provide their own facilities. GCCS is under the charter commission and is considered its own school district. They must provide their own contract services for special needs children and are not allowed to share monies raised through bonds passed within the city or nearby school districts.

Why was it decided to develop a charter school in Garden City?
The school districts that served Garden City chose to not build a school in Garden City. The charter route allowed citizens to create one by their own initiative. Another reason why the charter route was desirable is that it provides greater freedom in the design of an educational program.

Who does the Garden City Community School serve?
The core attendance area for the school is Garden City. Children from outside of Garden City can attend if there are available seats.

Will the Garden City Community School charge a fee for attendance?
No. Charter schools cannot charge tuition fees.

What impact does a Garden City charter school have on existing schools?
The impact on schools that currently serve Garden City children will depend upon the proportion of children drawn from different areas of Garden City. In general, financial resources will follow the student. However, it is important to keep in mind that the proposed Garden City Community School will not “take resources from public schools.” It will be a public school that uses resources in a different way.
The school will have minimal impact if it draws from all areas of Garden City. If the Garden City school draws heavily from one area in particular, an individual Boise school could be impacted heavily enough to cause changes in attendance boundaries or even a shift in school program.

We feel that any negative impacts are outweighed by the benefits to Garden City residents and by the demonstration of highly effective alternatives to existing approaches to education, from which existing schools could learn in order to benefit their students, families, staff, and neighborhoods.

When did the Garden City Community School open?
The school opened September 5, 2006.

Where is the Garden City Community School located?
The school is now located at 9165 Chinden Blvd, Suite #101 in Garden City. We have a contract for three more years at this location and hope to develop a permanent facility by the time our lease is over.

Is the Garden City Community School part of a local school district?
No. The school’s charter petition was forwarded from the Boise School District to the Idaho Charter School Commission, which approved the petition in June, 2005. This means that the school will not operate as part of a local school district. It is classified as a Local Educational Agency (LEA).

What grades are served by the Garden City Community School?
The school currently serves grades K-8, but hope to eventually add the high school grades.

How many students does the Garden City Community School serve?
As of our first day of school, August 27, 2007, we have an enrollment of 144.

What kind of educational program does the Garden City Community School?
The educational model for the Garden City Community School was designed from scratch, based on the needs of the community and the best available knowledge about how children learn. We also incorporated proven methods that fit with the core philosophy of the school. The result is a model that is learner-centered and highly integrated. Key features of the model include:

• Emphasis on the “4R’s of respect, responsibility, resourcefulness, and responsiveness (see About the School for more details).

• An emphasis in the early years on making sense of the world, developing the languages and skills for exploring, creating, communicating, problem-solving, working with others, and self-guidance.

• For older learners, a Collaborative Learning Design process in which students and teachers together design integrated units around the personal and world concerns of students, crossing the boundaries of traditional subject areas.

• A balanced approach to literacy and mathematics.

• Multi-age classrooms that better fit the developmental needs of all students.

• Portfolios that document student work, along with authentic and performance-based assessments to measure true understanding and skill.

• Opportunities for self-guided, entrepreneurial work in student-organized studios and labs.

• Arts that are integrated into the regular classroom.

• Instruction in beginning Spanish at all grade levels.

• A positive, solution-based, school-wide discipline system based on mutual respect and responsibility.

• A governance system that involves the whole community in critical issues and decision-making regarding the school.

• Partnerships with other agencies and service providers in Garden City to benefit Garden City and to maximize support for families and the learning experience.

Will my child get a solid education in reading and math?
Yes. The Garden City Community School uses highly effective approaches to literacy and math while developing deep understanding, critical thinking skills, and the ability to deal with real-world challenges.

Is the Kindergarten half-day or full-day?
The kindergarten program is currently half-day. It begins at 8:45AM and ends at 11:30.

When does the school day begin and end?
We begin at 8:45AM and end at 3:15PM. Since older siblings often attend the Boise School District, parents asked to have our schedule match Boise's.

Will bus transportation be available?
Yes. Bus transportation will be provided within Garden City for those students who live outside of walking distance to the school.

Will the school be providing lunch?
Yes. We will have a lunch program at the school. Eligibility for free- and reduced-price meals will be determined by family income.

Will parents be expected to volunteer at the school?
The school will rely on parent volunteers to help make the school a success. Volunteering not only will help the school, but it will help parents be more involved in their child’s education. Parents may even advance their own education in the process. While we cannot require that parents volunteer, we hope that parents will commit to volunteer at least 50 hours per year.

What can I do to help now?
You can volunteer. There are many aspects of the creation of this school that you can help with. See the Volunteer page on this web site for more information or contact the school for their Volunteer Sign-Up form.

•  You can make a financial contribution to the school. There are many expenses associated with this effort.

•  Tell others about the school.

How do I enroll my child in the Garden City Community School?
Contact the school office for more information at (208) 377-0011.

Who initiated the effort to create this school?
The effort to create a charter-based Garden City Community School was initiated by a small advocating for new approaches to the design of education. The initial coordinator for the effort was Matthew Shapiro, a local educator and organizer who has been developing a community-based educational design process for eight years. The Boise-based Mary Parker Follett Foundation paid for the initial survey and has provided technical assistance for the Participatory Educational Design process. Volunteers assisting with the project include Garden City parents and other residents, parents from outside of Garden City, and current and former educators. The mayor and City Council of Garden City have provided support for the effort as well.

Revised: 08/29/07