School Design by the Numbers480 studentsGrades 7 – 1214 Subject certified teachers (All highly-qualified)13 Academic Coaches and College Counselors7 Special Services Teachers11 Full-time and 2 part-time administrative staff

members

17-1702-A Legislative Intent“Encourage the use of different and

innovative teaching methods.”“Provide parents and pupils with expanded

choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.”

Teaching Innovation40-student cohorts, block schedulingThere are two adults in the room….an academic

coach and a subject-specific teacher.In most classes, classtime is spent split between

individual time and small group discussion time.During individual time, the students read, watch

video, write, do problems, under the watchful eye of the academic coach

Subject-specific teacher pulls out small groups of students for discussion, remediation, reinforcement and extension.

• Academic Coaches are staffed at 40 students per coach

• Stay with a cohort of students throughout the day.

• Responsible for keeping students on track

• Responsible for helping students form majors and developing college and career plans.

Importance of Academic Coaches

Room Design

Value of Small Group Discussion*• More opportunities to work and

learn together• More positive attitudes about

learning• Higher level of confidence• Higher meta-cognitive

development of problem solving skills

*John Berry and Pasi Sahlberg, 2006

Benefits of this approachEliminates lecturing, the least active and

interesting part of lessons.Allows students to work at their own pace.Allows tailoring of curriculum to the

particular needs and interests of each student.Allows the teacher to spend small group

quality time with all students.The teacher can differentiate learning by

tailoring instruction to small groups of students with common needs and interests

An Ideal Model for Special ServicesAll students have an Individual Plan.All students have unique curriculum and work

at their best pace.Special Education and ESL teachers can work

with the students at their work stations without fighting with the attention of the subject teacher.

Carpe Diem School – Yuma, AZ57% of students proficient in Yuma65% of students proficient throughout

Arizona.92% of Carpe Diem Students proficient.

“Hold the schools established under this act accountable for meeting measurable academic standards….”

All students will participate in the PSSAs, Keystone Exams or any of their successor assessments.

We will use NWEA MAPS data in order to measure student progress over time.

We have a curriculum which meets Pennsylvania Standards.

CoursesMathEnglish language artsSocial StudiesPhysical SciencesStudio ArtPerforming ArtsWorld LanguagesBusiness and TechnologyPhysical Education

Foundation CurriculumFor all studentsProvided by Pearson Publishing and its

subsidiaries.Comprehensive covering all requirements of

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.Closely aligned to the Common Core

Curriculum.

Specialized Curriculum based on each student’s individual learning plan

Achieve 3000First in MathBrainpopALEKSSciencegeekLife JournalWorldHistoryforusall

SummaryMeet all curriculum requirements of the

State.Meet graduation requirements.Administer all PSSA and Keystone

ExaminationsOur goal will be to meet or exceed the Upper

Darby School District on all measurements of academic performance.

Need for Early College Planning

Only 42 percent of young people who enroll in college complete a bachelor’s degree by the age of 26.

Penn State Website“80 percent of

students entering college admit that they're not certain what they really want to major in, even if they've initially declared a major.”

Each student develops a major.Based on academic achievement,

personality testing and interests.Credit for internships.Understand salary and

employment potential in different fields.

Culminating project based on career interest.

Academic Coaches help students find career and college paths to continue learning and training in selected major.

“Majors” at Delco Community CS

Real EstateLetter of Intent signed with the owners of

201 South Marple Avenue.Will start all on one floorQuiet, safe neighborhood, easy to access

public transportation.Good flow for bus drop-off and parking.

GovernanceNational curriculum, local managementNo large, for-profit company in the

background.Three of the seven Board Positions will be

parents.

Financial Management$200,000 line of credit secured through First

Niagara BankPositive cash flow in year one.Negotiation with 201 South Marple Avenue

included in Financial Model.

Evidence200 Students have pre-enrolled for Delco

Charter School as of 7/10/2012169 students pre-enrolled in grades 7 – 12

(Sept. 2013) compared to a starting enrollment needed of 160.

143 pre-enrolled who are residents of Upper Darby.

41 notes of support from adults.

SummaryInnovativeAddress key areas of needMeet the standards of the State of

PennsylvaniaHave strong community support.Have a sustainable financial, governance and

real estate plan.