About
Liberty Charter School
Background
In 1998, The Idaho Legislature
passed the Idaho Code, Chapter 52, Title 33. This legislation allowed for
the creation of up to 60 Charter Schools in the first five years after the
effective date of the act. In 2004, the code was revised to allow for the
creation of more charter schools.
Charter legislation provides
opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils and community members to
establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing
school district structure.
Liberty Charter School has been
granted a charter by the Nampa School Board and now operates as an
independent, tuition free, public school.
For additional resources,
contact the Idaho Charter School Network at
http://csi.boisestate.edu/icsn.htm
Mission
Statement
The Liberty Charter School's mission is to
develop students who are competent, confident, productive and responsible
young adults who possess the habits, skills and attitudes necessary to
succeed in life.
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Philosophy Statement
Liberty Charter School is grounded in the
belief that when there is low threat and content is highly challenging,
accelerated learning takes place.
Unique Aspects
The distinctive aspects of Liberty Charter
School include the addition of 7-12 grades, the study of a second language,
piano lessons for K-3 students, enriched gifted and talented services, high
school humanities opportunities, career guidance and development,
integration of community and family service into the learning process, and a
full integration of technology as a learning tool.
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Admission
The student body and a
waiting list was established by
a lottery before the school opened in the fall of 1999. The waiting
list functions as follows:
·
Siblings of current students and employee's children head each
waiting list. This list does not change during the annual lottery.
·
Children who do not have siblings attending Liberty Charter School are
placed on the waiting list at the time they make the request. Each
class waiting list is subject to a new lottery every spring.
Parents may come to the Liberty Charter School at 1063 E.
Lewis Lane between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM to sign up for the
lottery.
-
Lottery preference is given to pupils residing within the
Nampa School District.
-
Prior to admission, all parents/guardians will sign a
letter indicating they understand the Charter expectations, philosophy
and program.
-
An admission test is not required
-
Enrollment capacity at Liberty Charter School grades,
K-12 will be 400 students.
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Program
The architects of the Liberty Charter
School understand that a "thorough system of public schools" in Idaho is
one of which:
-
A safe environment conducive to learning is provided.
-
Educators are empowered to maintain classroom discipline.
-
The basic values of honesty, self discipline,
unselfishness, respect for authority and the central importance of work
is emphasized.
-
The skills necessary to communicate effectively are
taught.
-
A basic curriculum necessary to enable students to enter
academic or vocational post secondary educational programs is provided.
-
The skills necessary for students to enter the work force
are taught.
-
The students are introduced to current technology.
-
The importance of students acquiring the skills to enable
them to be responsible citizens of their homes, schools and communities
is emphasized.
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Parent
Involvement
Parents of the students who
attend Liberty Charter School are involved at many levels. In addition to
classroom volunteer work and PTA membership, parents are involved in the
following ways:
-
Parents sign 8 specific policy letters.
- Parents fill out an in-depth student
profile.
- Parents attend two parent-teacher
conferences per school year.
- Parents complete two surveys addressing
the issues of student safety, classroom discipline, school-wide
discipline, child's response to classroom atmosphere, and parents
perception of learning environment.
- Parents of high school students will
attend annual student presentations as well as evaluate the impact of
their students' investment in family teamwork projects.
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Celebrating Student Success
Hall of Fame
Liberty Charter School students will have their names placed
in a prominent place at the school when the following is mastered:
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- U.S. Map
- States/Capitals
- Months/Days
Citizen of the Week
This is an award given to students who exhibit kindness,
responsibility, and helpfulness.
Citizen of the Month
This is an award given to those students in grades 1-8 who
show exemplary behavior in the following areas:
- Kindness and support toward other students.
- Responsible and turns in all work on time.
- Follows all school rules.
- Exhibit interest and enthusiasm toward learning.
- Comes to school on time.
Accuracy Awards
This is an award given to 4th, 5th ad 6th graders who get
100% on daily math warms-ups 4 out of 5 days a week for a 9-week period. If
successful during one 9-week period, the student will have his/her picture
prominently displayed.
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Executive
Officers
Bart McKnight - Chairman of the Board
Sheila Bryant
Ted Hernandez
Toni Smith
Robbie Hamblin
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Faculty
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