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
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