Gettysburg Montessori Charter School

Gettysburg Montessori Charter School
Address
120 E Broadway Street
Eisenhower Elementary Bldg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325
United States
Information
Type Public
Established approved by school board March 2010
School board 7 parents whose children attend the school
School district Gettysburg Area School District
President Mrs. Robin Kirkpatrick, CEO
Staff 3 non teaching staff members
Faculty 15
Grades PreK-6th
Pupils 107 pupils (2012-13)[1]
 • Kindergarten 25
 • Grade 1 15
 • Grade 2 23
 • Grade 3 11
 • Grade 4 12
 • Grade 5 15
 • Grade 6 6
Website http://www.gettysburgmontessoricharter.org/

Gettysburg Montessori Charter School is a small, public charter school in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The school provides private preschool (ages 3 & 4) and public full day kindergarten through sixth grades. The school serves the central Adams County region. As a public charter school in Pennsylvania, the school operates under the oversight of the Gettysburg Area School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[2] Gettysburg Montessori Charter School was converted from a private school to a public charter school in 2010 with 73 pupils enrolling the first year.[3][4] The Montessori School was granted a five-year charter for grades kindergarten through sixth from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015. In 2013, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School is one of 163 bricks and mortar charter schools and 14 cyber charter schools operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2013.[5]

Gettysburg Montessori Charter School leases space from the Gettysburg Area School District in the former Eisenhower Elementary School. In 2013, 27% of the pupils were from low income homes. The school reported a 94.20% attendance rate in 2012 and 2013.[6]

According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[7]

By Commonwealth law, when the local, public school district provides transportation for its own students, then the District must also provide transportation to any school that lies within 10 miles of its borders, as well as, all schools within its borders.[8] Several Adams County public school districts transport children to Gettysburg Montessori Charter School.

Gettysburg Montessori Charter School receives special education and teacher training support services from the Lincoln Intermediate Unit IU12.

Academics

2013 School Performance

In 2013, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved a score of 64 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement.[9] In 2012-13, only 48.89% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 36.36% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 51.11% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 100% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 42% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[10] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

AYP History

The Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in both 2011 and 2012.[11]

In 2012, only 71% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, just 67% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 14% scored advanced.[12]

Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School adding weekly inquiry-based science and environmental studies classes to the daily classroom science curriculum.

Wellness

Gettysburg Montessori Charter School offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch.[13] Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.[14] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[15]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. [16] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.[17]

Students are required to comply with all Pennsylvania regulations regarding health examinations in public schools. GMCS administers certain health screening tests to children at specified ages including speech, vision and hearing screenings.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 5, 2013). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School Performance report Fast Facts".
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "What is a Charter School?".
  3. ↑ Heather Faulhefer (March 16, 2010). "Gettysburg district approves charter school". The Evening Sun.
  4. ↑ Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (2012). "Education Facts - Charter School Enrollment by School, 2011--12".
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 1, 2013). "2013-2014 Charter Schools Listing (PDF)".
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School AYP Data Table 2012".
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Gettysburg Montessori Charter School, September 21, 2012
  8. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "Pupil Transportation -Frequently Asked Questions".
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School, Academic Performance Data 2013".
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School Academic Performance Data 2013".
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School AYP Overview 2012".
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School Report Card 2012".
  13. ↑ Gettysburg Montessori Charter School Administration (2014). "School Meals".
  14. ↑ USDA, Child Nutrition Programs - Eligibility Manual for School Meals, 2012
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, The Pennsylvania School Breakfast Report Card, 2009
  16. ↑ USDA, Child Nutrition Programs, June 27, 2013
  17. ↑ United States Department of Agriculture (2011). "Food and Nutrition Service Equity in School Lunch Pricing Fact Sheet".
  18. ↑ Gettysburg Montessori Charter School Administration, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School Parent handbook, 2014

Coordinates: 39°50′19″N 77°13′33″W / 39.83852°N 77.22596°W