IDEA Public Schools is an independently managed charter school system in the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas. The schools have a significant focus on academics and are committed to ensuring that all of its graduating students will attend college. Faculty members in this charter school system adopt the mantra of "No Excuses!" showing their dedication to their students' success. The system is headquartered in Weslaco.[1]
"One Team,One Mission!"
Contents |
IDEA has recently, in 2009, been ranked #13 in the nation, #6 Charter School,and #5 Open Enrollment School by U.S News and World Report.[2]
IDEA was founded in 2000 by Tom Torkelson and JoAnn Gama, Teach For America corps members dedicated to making sure all underserved students can go to college.
All schools in the IDEA system are composed of two campuses, an Academy and a College Preparatory school. The Academy is the school for primary grades, generally kindergarten to fifth grade. The College Prep is a secondary school, a combination of middle school and high school, with grades six to twelve. Starting with College Preparatory classes, students have different teachers for different subjects, as in a traditional school system.
Selection of students is initially carried out by lottery; thereafter, students are taken from the waiting list, first-come, first-served. There is no tuition to attend the schools; however, some schools have an activity fee to help cover certain events, such as field trips or experiments. This fee may be made in payments and may be waived for families with financial limitations.
Each campus requires uniforms for each student. The standard uniform generally consists of a polo with the IDEA logo and campus name, khaki or navy pants or shorts, a belt, and tennis shoes and socks appropriate for the pants worn. On designated days, a "college uniform" may be worn, consisting of jeans and a t-shirt displaying a large, visible logo from a college or university of the student's choice.
In some campuses (or all), on a designated day a "morning assembly" is held. At the assembly, announcements are made and other small festivities are held such as chant-offs or music.
The average teacher salary in Idea Public Schools is $50,008. [3]
Recent research shows that IDEA charter school students are more "advantaged" than those entering local area schools. More specifically, low-income and special education are less likely to enter IDEA schools than students who were not low-income and not special education. Further, students passing the state-mandated achievement tests and achieving commended status on the same tests were more likely to enroll in IDEA charter schools. (see http://www.statesman.com/news/education/study-challenges-idea-charters-success-claims-1971526.html?printArticle=y)
New schools in the IDEA system are launched with limited grade levels,a kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade class, and a 6th grade class. Each year, as students are promoted, additional grades are added. Within six years, each campus will be fully scaled with grades K-12.
The IDEA Donna campus was founded in 2000 by Tom Torkelson and JoAnn Gama. The school is currently under the direction of Christina Escamilla, Principal of the IDEA College Preparatory Donna, and Pablo Mejia, Principal of the IDEA Academy Donna. The school is located at 401 South 1st Street, Donna, TX, 78537. IDEA Donna is fully scaled. And now IDEA is an official International Baccalaureate School. It was also voted number #13 High School in the Nation by the US News and World Report
The IDEA Quest campus was founded in 2006 under Dr. Scott Hollinger, principal of the College Preparatory school, and Sharon Chapman, principal of the Academy. The school is located northwest of McAllen, TX. The address is 14001 North Rooth Road, Edinburg, TX 78541. During its first two years, all classes were held in portable buildings; however, the first permanent buildings were ready since Fall 2008, with grades PK-4 and 6-10. IDEA Quest will be fully scaled in 2010. Currently, IDEA Quest Academy is led by Principal Marissa Falcon, and IDEA Quest College Preparatory is led by Principal Jose De Leon.
The IDEA Frontier campus was founded in 2006 under Ernesto Cantú, principal of the College Preparatory school, and Roberta Harris, principal of the Academy. Currently, the College Prep principal is Jill Koehler. The school is located at the intersection Dakota in Brownsville, TX. During its first two years, all classes were held in portable buildings; however, the first permanent buildings are scheduled to be ready for Fall 2008, with grades PK-4 and 6-10. IDEA Frontier will be fully scaled in 2010. A new campus is expected to open up on August 2012 at 4395 Paredes Line Road starting with kindergarten, first, second and sixth grades.
The IDEA San Benito campus launched in 2008 in San Benito, TX, under the leadership of principal Carrie Sauceda, with grades K and 6-8. IDEA San Benito will be fully scaled in 2013. As of 2009, IDEA San Benito has been adding many different activities such as sports and clubs for its students.
The IDEA Mission campus launched in 2008 in Mission, TX, under the leadership of College Prep principal Natalie Basham and Academy principal Bethany Solís, with grades K and 6-8. Currently, the IDEA Academy Mission is led by Principal Luzdivina Lozano, and IDEA College Preparatory Mission is led by Principal Erika Acheson. IDEA Mission will be fully scaled in 2013.
The IDEA San Juan campus launched in 2009 in San Juan, TX, under the leadership of College Prep principal Sam Goessling and Academy principal Hilda Helsing, with grades K, 6 and 9. IDEA San Juan will be fully scaled in 2014.