The choice between private, public and charter schools can be overwhelming. From curriculum to mission, transportation to tuition, the seemingly endless options for personalization can make narrowing your decision down even more difficult. If you are new to charter schools, we’d like to take this opportunity to demystify the charter school choice and illuminate the incredible tuition-free education available for TK-12th graders at Santa Clarita Valley International Charter School (SCVi).
What is a Charter School?
A charter school is a publicly funded, independently operated, public school. Most charter schools are started from the ground up, by a team of passionate educators and parents who see a need in the community and decide to fill it.
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students. They operate under the terms of a charter that sets forth the school’s mission, program, goals, and ways to measure success. Charter schools are financed directly by the state and exercise increased autonomy in return for accountability in both academic results and fiscal practices. In California, charters are granted by local school districts for an initial period of up to five years, after which they may be renewed.
There are no special entrance requirements for students enrolling in charter schools. Placement is based on the number of available spaces for students who are chosen through a fair and objective lottery system.
Why Should My Child Go to a Charter School?
Charter schools create choices for parents and their students within the public school system. They increase educational opportunities for families and give children more access to quality education. In California, children can attend a charter school anywhere within the region. For example, your child can attend any charter school within your county of residence or an adjacent county. In Santa Clarita and the surrounding area, students can enroll in a tuition-free, public charter school outside their school district.
Whether it’s the educational philosophy, curriculum, or focus, each charter school is unique and offers different options from local district schools. Highly qualified teachers are frequently attracted to work at charter schools whereinnovative teaching practices and creativity are encouraged. Parents and community members are often welcome to get involved in different aspects of a charter school education. Families typically find unique learning opportunities available and an emphasis on social and emotional well-being.
Charter schools offer:
- Smaller class sizes
- Personalized attention
- Support for learning
- Focus on character development
SCVi Innovation Revelation
At TK-12th grade SCVi, our cutting-edge 21st-century educational approach means we teach with our students in mind, not at them. We offer:
– Flexibly designed classrooms for multiage learning
– Project-based learning throughout all grade levels
– Integrated arts education
– Strong emphasis on social-emotional learning
– Career Technical Education pathways like Digital Arts Media
– Dual Language Immersion option through 5th grade
– Thoughtful Love and Logic discipline approach
– Focus on Aerospace Projects
– International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and Career-Related Programme that learners take as a program or by the class
Have a question about charter schools in general or SCVi specifically? Please contact us — we’re enrolling now!
About SCVi:
Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free, public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. We use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Join our innovative school today!