Premier Arts and Science Charter School

School District regions in Dauphin County

Premier Arts and Science Charter School is a small, urban, public charter school.^[4] The school is located in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It is one of five public charter schools operating in Dauphin County in 2014.^[5] In 2014, enrollment was 138 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 79.7% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.^[6] The school employed 13 teachers.^[7] Additionally, 0% of the pupils receive special education services and no pupils were identified as gifted. The school provides full day kindergarten. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 50% of the school's teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[8] The students are required to wear a uniform.

In Pennsylvania, charter schools are initially approved and subsequently overseen by the local school board.^[9] They make in depth, annual reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In Pennsylvania, charter schools are a public school alternative to the traditional, local public schools. Students may seek admission to a local charter school. The Commonwealth bases the funding for charter schools on the principle that the state’s subsidies should follow the students, regardless of whether they choose to attend traditional public schools or charter schools. The Charter School Law also requires that charter schools bill each sending school district on a monthly basis for students attending the charter school.^[10] The Harrisburg School District tuition rate was $9,538 in 2014. In 2013, the tuition rate was $10,922.59.^[11]

Additionally, when the local school district provides transportation to its students it must also provide transportation at no costs to charter school students, when the receiving school is within 10 miles of the District's borders.^[12] Pennsylvania charter schools have the same academic accountability as traditional public schools and must give the PSSAs and Keystone Exams to their pupils each year, working to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.^[13] The goal is for 100% of the pupils to be reading on grade level and demonstrate on grade level math skills.

According to Pennsylvania Charter School law, if more students apply to attend than there are open slots available, Charter Schools are required to use a random lottery system to select new incoming students.^[14] According to the Charter School law, siblings (brothers and sisters), and children of individuals who help establish a charter school, are granted an “admissions preference". Students residing in the Harrisburg School District are selected first, according to the number of slots available for Harrisburg students. If there is space available for more students, seats will be declared open for out-of-District students.^[15]

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit IU15 provides the school with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Academics

2014 School Performance Profile

Premier Arts and Science Charter School achieved 63.1 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading and mathematics. In reading/literature - 60% of third graders were on grade level. In mathematics, 70% showed on grade level skills, with 10% showing advanced skills.^[16] The school's achievement far exceeded the reading and math achievement at Harrisburg School District schools.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.^[17] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.^[18][19]

PSSA History

In Pennsylvania, in the spring of each school year, the public school 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.^[20] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.^[21][22][23] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. ^[24]

School safety and bullying

The Premier Arts and Science Charter School Board of Trustees has provided the school's antibully policy online in the student Code of Conduct.^[25] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[26] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[27][28]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[29]

History

School advocates initially applied for charter approval to the Harrisburg School District Board in November 2011. The request was denied based on multiple deficiencies cited by the Harrisburg School District administration.^[30] In August 2013, the school opened its doors accepting its first students in kindergarten through third grade.

Extracurriculars

Premier Arts and Science Charter School offers several after school activities for children including: Boy Scouts, Drama Club, Reading ROCKS! program, and Art Club.^[31]

References

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Schools Main School Districts Central Dauphin Central Dauphin High School Central Dauphin East High School Derry Township Hershey High School Halifax Area Halifax Area High School Halifax Area Middle School Harrisburg Harrisburg High School Harrisburg University of Science and Technology High School Lower Dauphin Lower Dauphin High School Middletown Area Middletown Area High School Millersburg Millersburg Area High School Steelton-Highspire Steelton-Highspire High School Susquehanna Township Susquehanna Township High School Upper Dauphin Upper Dauphin Area High School Other Schools Charter schools Capital Area School for the Arts Infinity Charter School Pennsylvania Distance and Electronic Learning Charter School Premier Arts and Science Charter School Sylvan Heights Science Charter School Private schools Berrysburg Christian Academy Covenant Christian Academy Emmanuel Wesleyan Academy Harrisburg Christian School Middletown Christian School Milton Hershey School Wordsworth Academy Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt High School Susquenita School District (partially located in Perry County) Susquenita High School Williams Valley School District (partially located in Schuylkill County) Williams Valley Junior/Senior High School

Coordinates: 40°16′17″N 76°52′00″W / 40.27145°N 76.86667°W / 40.27145; -76.86667