Enroll WCC Charters Booklet

CHARTER SCHOOL GUIDE A resource for families about public charter schools in West Contra Costa

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Letter from Charter School Leaders

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About Enroll WCC Charters

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What is a Charter School?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 How to Enroll in a Charter School 14 School Profiles Understanding the school profiles Enroll WCC charter school profiles

34 Additional Options and Resources Other public school options Additional resources

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LETTER FROM ENROLL WCC CHARTER SCHOOL LEADERS Dear West Contra Costa families, As educators, parents, and fellow community members, we know that every child, like every school, is unique – and we believe that families have a right to choose a great public school that will help their child thrive.

We are a collective of eight charter schools, which are tuition-free public schools open to all students. Together, we serve over 3,000 students across our community.

This year, we are taking an important step forward in making our schools more transparent and accessible for the diverse families of Richmond and West Contra Costa County.

We believe families should have the tools and resources they need to make informed choices about their child’s education.

The Enroll WCC Charters initiative was formed to help families learn about our schools and apply to them in a family-friendly manner. This initiative includes:

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Resources such as this Charter School Guide, to help families learn about different schools, their programs, academic results, and more; and

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One common charter school application for the 2018–19 school year, so families can apply to any or all participating schools with ease.

Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

This guidebook is just one way to get information about local charter schools involved in this initiative. We encourage families to learn more by visiting our schools and reviewing data for all public school options, including both district and charter schools.

Schools can have a profound impact on a child’s future. We are humbled by the opportunity to serve the students and families of West Contra Costa, and commit to partnering with the community to continuously improve our schools.

Respectfully,

Enroll WCC Charter School Leaders

Javier Cabra Walteros, Principal Aspire Richmond California College Preparatory Academy

Arlena Ford, Principal Aspire Richomond Technology Academy

Ashlee Gutierrez Principal, Upper School Caliber: Beta Academy

Ernest Peterson Principal, Lower School Caliber: Beta Academy

Gautam Thapar, Executive Director Invictus Academy of Richmond

Shawn Benjamin, Principal Leadership Public Schools — Richmond

Dr. E. Ward Jackson, Middle School Division Director Making Waves Academy

Kimberly Carr, Upper School Division Director Making Waves Academy

Shilpa Duvoor, Executive Director Summit Public School K2

Abbie Ridenour, Executive Director Summit Public School Tamalpais

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ABOUT ENROLL WCC CHARTERS Enroll WCC Charters is an initiative to help families learn about and apply to charter schools in West Contra Costa. We are a collective of local charter schools, collaborating to offer one common application and resources such as this school guide.

This year, eight out of 14 charter schools in West Contra Costa (listed below) are participating in Enroll WCC Charters.

Detailed information about these schools can be found on the School Profiles on pages 18–33.

For all others, see page 36.

For more information, visit www.enrollwcc.org.

ENROLL WCC CHARTER SCHOOLS 1. Aspire Richmond California College Preparatory Academy Grades 6–12

2. Aspire Richmond Technology Academy Grades TK–5 3. Caliber: Beta Academy Grades K–8

4. Invictus Academy of Richmond Opening with grade 7, Fall 2017 5. Leadership Public Schools — Richmond Grades 9–12 6. Making Waves Academy Grades 5–12

7. Summit Public School K2 Grades 7–11

8. Summit Public School Tamalpais Grades 7–9

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

HERCULES PINOLE

6 8

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SAN PABLO

RICHMOND

5 7 3 EL CERRITO

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WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL? Frequently Asked Questions What is a charter school?

Charter schools are public schools Charter schools are that operate independently from a tuition-free public school district. They schools open to all operate through a students. contract (“charter�) agreed upon by a local school district, county office of education, or the state. The charter sets goals for which the school will be held accountable. In turn, charter school leaders and teachers are given freedom and flexibility to try new approaches to education. Charter schools have unique models and offer an option for families seeking a different educational experience for their child.

There are 14 charter schools in West Contra Costa, serving almost 4,000 students. All charter schools in West Contra Costa are run by not-for-profit organizations.

Who can attend a charter school?

Just like any other public school, charter schools are tuitionfree and open to all students. Charter schools do not have selective entrance requirements and cannot discriminate against students on any basis.

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

Charter schools welcome all students, regardless of their background or special needs. If your child has a special need, please contact the schools you are interested in for more information about the services they can provide.

How does the enrollment process work?

All interested students must submit an application, which asks for basic student information such as name, grade level, and contact information. When a charter school receives more applications than space allows, a random lottery is held to determine enrollment.

By law, charter schools have flexibility to design unique educational programs. This also means that charter schools may adopt particular admission policies, as long as they are nondiscriminatory. For example, some schools might give preference to applicants who have a sibling already enrolled at the school, to provide a more family-friendly experience.

Still, enrollment is not guaranteed at any school. Many charter schools have waitlists and may enroll more students as spots become available.

For more FAQs, visit www.enrollwcc.org/faq.

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HOW TO ENROLL IN A CHARTER SCHOOL Note: This process is for participating Enroll WCC charter schools only. Other charter schools have their own application processes.

See pages 36–37 for more details.

STEP ONE: LEARN. There are many charter school options in West Contra Costa — and like every child, every school is unique. Learn about all of your options to find a school that will best meet the needs of your child.

Ways to learn about Enroll WCC charter schools:

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Use the School Profiles in this guide (pages 18–33)

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Call schools directly if you have questions about their programs

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Visit schools to see them in action

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Go online to www.enrollwcc.org or each school’s website, where you can learn more and view upcoming events, including open houses

Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

Things to consider when choosing a school: •

Academic performance: Will this school help prepare my child for college and career? There are many ways to determine this, including: state test results, graduation rates, eligibility for the University of California and California State University system, Advanced Placement course offerings, and more.

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Culture and climate: How does the school create a positive learning environment for all students? Consider a school’s values, diversity, discipline policies, and student-teacher interactions.

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Academic and extracurricular programs: What programs are available for my child? There are many different opportunities at each school. Identify which ones might be most important for your child.

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School hours and transportation: Do the school hours and transportation meet the needs of my family? Hours and transportation, including before and after school programs, vary by school.

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Family engagement: How are parents involved?

Understand how the school communicates and involves families throughout the year.

For ideas on questions to ask when visiting a school, see page 39.

STEP TWO: APPLY. Enroll WCC charter schools use one common application. This means you can apply to multiple schools in one simple process.

We recommend applying to at least a few schools, since some schools may not have space for all students who apply.

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Visit www.enrollwcc.schoolmint.net starting November 1, 2017.

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Create an online account using your email address or phone number.

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Follow the instructions to create a profile for yourself and your child(ren). You will need basic information such as: your child’s date of birth, home address, and phone number.

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Select the school(s) you wish to apply to and answer any additional questions that may be required.

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Submit your online application by Friday, February 16, 2018.

Once you submit your application, you will receive an electronic confirmation (via email or text) that the application has been received. Additionally, you may make changes to the application and/or check the status at any time by visiting www.enrollwcc.schoolmint.net.

We highly recommend that you apply online. If this is not an option for you, or you need help with your application, please visit a participating Enroll WCC school.

Note: Your application information will only be shared with schools and staff participating in Enroll WCC Charters. Learn more about SchoolMint’s secure online platform by visiting www.schoolmint.com/privacy-policy.

STEP THREE: CONFIRM. You will receive notification about the status of your application between March 5–14, 2018.

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Each school you apply to will contact you separately to inform you of the lottery results.

Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

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If a spot is available for your child, you must confirm your child’s enrollment by March 30, 2018. You can only confirm enrollment at one school, even if you are offered enrollment at multiple schools.

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If no spots are available, your child will be placed on the school’s waiting list. Each school has their own waiting list process and will contact you if and when spots become available.

STEP FOUR: REGISTER. For confirmed families only After you confirm enrollment at one school, the school will contact you to complete additional paperwork, such as emergency contact information, immunization records, and more. The enrollment process will be complete only when you submit all required documents.

KEY DATES November 1, 2017: Application is available February 16, 2018: Application is due March 5–14, 2018: Families receive notification of enrollment offers March 30, 2018: Due date for families to confirm enrollment offer

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UNDERSTANDING THE SCHOOL PROFILES This guide includes a profile for each Enroll WCC charter school. These school profiles are a starting point to help you learn more about each of these schools. View this information and more at www.enrollwcc.org.

While the profiles include basic information, each school offers much more than the features listed.

We encourage all families to learn more by visiting or contacting schools directly.

SCHOOL NAME School address School phone number | School website SCHOOL HOURS

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal’s name Grades served (2018–19) Main enrollment grade Uniform (Y/N) Public transportation access

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

Regular school hours Before/after school hours (Y/N) This is the grade level with the most availability for new students. Most schools have at least some availability for all other grade levels and accept applications for all grades served.

School Mission Program features: Overview of academic and extracurricular programs offered at the school. This is not a complete list; contact the schools and visit their websites to learn more.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment: Total number of students who attended the school in the 2016–17 school year

This section describes the students who attended the school in the 2016–17 school year. Contact the school directly to learn more about how the school accommodates different student needs and supports diversity.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts

SBAC, Math

SBAC measures four achievement levels: Standard Exceeded, Standard Met, Standard Nearly Met, and Standard Not Met. Students who Exceeded or Met standards are considered on track for success in college and career. Learn more at www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa.

Data source: CA Department of Education (CDE), 2016-17. Some data is reported by schools to provide more up-to-date information; may differ slightly from CDE data.

California uses Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) tests to measure student performance in English Language Arts and Math for grades 3–8 and 11.

Graduation rate and UC/CSU eligibility rate: Graduation rate data indicates the percentage of students at the school who graduate within four years. UC/CSU eligibility indicates the percentage of students who graduate from high school completing the coursework necessary to apply to any colleges within the UC and/or CSU system.

For details, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ ci/gs/hs/hsgrtable.asp.

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

SCHOOL PROFILES Elementary Schools Aspire Richmond Technology Academy

Elementary/Middle Schools Caliber: Beta Academy

Middle Schools Invictus Academy of Richmond

Middle/High Schools Aspire Richmond California College Preparatory Academy Making Waves Academy Summit Public School K2 Summit Public School Tamalpais

High Schools Leadership Public Schools — Richmond

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Elementary

ASPIRE RICHMOND TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY 3170 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806 510.480.0660 | www.aspirerta.org

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Arlena Ford Grades served: TK–5 Main enrollment grade: TK Uniform: Yes Public transportation: AC Transit: LA, LC, 72, 74, 76, 376

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

SCHOOL HOURS Monday–Friday: 8:30–3:45 Before/after school hours: No

Our mission is to increase the academic performance of underserved students, develop effective educators, share successful practices with other forward-thinking educators, and catalyze change in public schools.

Program features: Coding and blended learning; individualized instruction; culturally responsive teaching; social-emotional learning; restorative justice; parent engagement opportunities; Saturday School.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

7%

67%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

314

43%

6% Asian 9% Black/African American 77% Latino/Hispanic 1% White 6% Other

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts

37%

28%

Standard not met

18% 18% Standard nearly met

SBAC, Math

34% Standard met

26%

24%

17%

Standard exceeded

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Elementary/Middle

CALIBER: BETA ACADEMY 4301 Berk Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804* 510.685.1768 | www.caliberbetaacademy.org SCHOOL HOURS

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Ernest Peterson (K-5) and Ashlee Gutierrez (6-8) Grades served: K–8 Main enrollment grade: K Uniform: Yes Public transportation: AC Transit: 76, 376, 668, 675

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

Regular hours:

Monday–Thursday: 8:00–3:20 Friday: 8:00–12:30

Before/after school hours: After school only *In the next 3–5 years, Caliber: Beta Academy will relocate to a permanent facility in San Pablo.

We provide students with a challenging and engaging personalized education that equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in competitive colleges, careers, and communities.

Program features: Focus on personalized academics and emotional intelligence; coding and robotics club; after school programs for chess, tennis, dance, and more; restorative justice.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

760

87%

11%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

36%

2% Asian 12% Black/African American 79% Latino/Hispanic 3% White 4% Other

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts

30%

30%

Standard not met

26%

SBAC, Math

13%

Standard nearly met

41% Standard met

33%

19% 7%

Standard exceeded

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INVICTUS ACADEMY OF RICHMOND OPENING FALL 2018 Location to be determined 510.606.8158 | www.invictusofrichmond.org SCHOOL HOURS Middle

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Gautam Thapar Grades served: 7* Main enrollment grade: 7 Uniform: Yes Public transportation: Facility to be secured by April; targeted location is South/Central Richmond

Regular hours: Monday–Wednesday; Friday: 8:00–4:00 Thursday: 8:00–1:50 Before/after school hours: No

*Invictus Academy of Richmond will grow to serve grades 7–12 by Fall 2023.

Invictus Academy of Richmond prepares 100% of students in grades 7–12 to thrive in the colleges of their choice, solve relevant problems, and communicate with confidence.

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

ABOUT INVICTUS ACADEMY OF RICHMOND At Invictus Academy of Richmond, student achievement is our top priority. Key aspects of our program include: •

Rigorous, college preparatory instruction: We align our instruction to the Common Core State Standards, which are designed to ensure students are on track to be successful in college.

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Daily tutoring and individual advising: We have one period each day designated for individual tutoring and support, as well as an Advisory period for students to set academic and personal goals, meet with their Advisor, and gain college knowledge.

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Double periods of math and English in 7th and 8th grade: Math and English are foundational subjects, and so we provide students extra instruction in these areas.

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A robust speech and debate program: Research has shown the positive effects of speech and debate programs. At our school, every student takes speech and debate in 7th and 8th grade, and then has access to a speech and debate team in high school.

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Development of non-academic skills: Non-academic skills build the habits and mindsets needed to be successful in all settings. In middle school, we make time in our schedule each day for activities like basketball, chess, and coding. In high school, students will have access to elective classes, clubs, and sports.

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Partnering and communicating with parents: We value parent voice and will communicate regularly with families. We will visit every incoming 7th grader’s home prior to the start of school, communicate weekly about students’ progress, host family conferences once per semester, and hold parent events twice per month. We also have a Family Advisory Council, which works with school leadership and the Board, that parents can join if interested.

Invictus is a new school. Stay up-to-date with school news and upcoming events by visiting our website: www.invictusofrichmond. org or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/invictusofrichmond.

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ASPIRE RICHMOND CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Middle/High

3040 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806 510.646.1696 | www.aspirepublicschools.org SCHOOL HOURS

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Javier Cabra Walteros Grades served: 6–12 Main enrollment grade: 6 Uniform: Yes Public transportation: AC Transit: LA, LC, 72, 74, 76, 376

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

Regular hours: High school: 8:00–3:42

Middle school: 8:20–3:47 Before/after school hours: Yes

Our mission is to increase the academic performance of underserved students, develop effective educators, share successful practices with other forward-thinking educators, and catalyze change in public schools.

Program features: Partnership with UC Berkeley; student mentor program; college week; college courses and summer programs; student portfolio; focus on student voice, agency, leadership, and critical consciousness.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

348

61%

10%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

13%

8% Asian 17% Black/African American 68% Latino/Hispanic 1% White 5% Other

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) Graduation and UC/CSU eligibility rates for 2016–17 not yet available.

SBAC, English Language Arts

19%

32%

35%

Standard not met

25%

SBAC, Math

9%

Standard nearly met

43% Standard met

32%

22% 3%

Standard exceeded

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MAKING WAVES ACADEMY 4123 Lakeside Drive, Richmond, CA 94806* 510.262.1511 | www.makingwavesacademy.org SCHOOL HOURS Middle/High

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Dr. E WardJackson (5–8) and Kimberly Carr (9–12) Grades served: 5–12 Main enrollment grade: 5 Uniform: Yes Public transportation: AC Transit: LA, LC, 72, 74, 76, 376

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

Regular hours:

Monday–Thursday: 8:05–3:30 Friday: 8:05–2:00

Before/after school hours: After school only * Making Waves Academy will open a new middle school facility in the Fall of 2018 and a new upper school facility in the Fall of 2019. They will be located at the same address.

Making Waves commits to rigorously and holistically preparing students to gain acceptance to and graduate from college to ultimately become valuable contributors to the workforce and their communities.

Program features: Holistic approach emphasizing academic rigor and students achieving full potential. Individualized support provided through tutoring, highly qualified faculty, mental health supports, nutritious meals for all students, test prep, transportation, various sports, student-led clubs and state of the art facilities.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

781

84%

6%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

25%

1% Asian 10% Black/African American 88% Latino/Hispanic 1% White 1% Other

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts Standard not met

31%

25%

32%

12%

Standard nearly met

89%

Standard met

SBAC, Math

Standard exceeded

48%

Graduation rate:

31%

14% 7%

UC/CSU eligibility rate:

100%

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SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOL K2 1800 Elm Street, El Cerrito, CA 94530 510.374.4093 | www.k2.summitps.org

Middle/High

SCHOOL HOURS

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Shilpa Duvoor Grades served: 7–11* Main enrollment grade: 7 Uniform: No Public transportation: BART: El Cerrito Del Norte / AC Transit: G, 71, 72, 72M, 667, 668, 675

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

Regular hours: Middle school: 8:00–3:15 High school: 8:20–3:30

Before/after school hours: After school only

*Summit Public School K2 will grow to serve grades 7–12 by Fall 2019.

Our mission is to prepare a diverse student population for success in college and to be thoughtful, contributing members of society.

Program features: Student mentor program; college advising; restorative justice; Parent Education Nights; office hours available; athletics (volleyball, basketball, soccer, and more); after school clubs (capoeira, student government, coding, and more).

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

321

54%

8%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

14%

9% Asian 21% Black/African American 34% Latino/Hispanic 15% White 21% Other

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts

18%

18%

Standard not met

46%

SBAC, Math

18%

Standard nearly met

30% Standard met

32%

18% 20% Standard exceeded

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SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOL TAMALPAIS 3020 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806 510.374.4185 | www.tam.summitps.org

Middle/High

SCHOOL HOURS

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Abbie Ridenour Grades served: 7–9* Main enrollment grade: 7

Regular hours: 8:10–3:20 Before/after school hours: After school only

Uniform: No Public transportation: AC Transit: LA, LC, 72, 74, 76, 376

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

*Summit Public School Tamalpais will grow to serve grades 7–12

by Fall 2021.

Our mission is to prepare a diverse student population for success in college and to be thoughtful, contributing members of society.

Program features: Personalized learning; 1:1 use of technology: mentoring; project-based learning; college prep curriculum; student-led clubs and sports; restorative justice; parent education nights.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

237

65%

10%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

22%

10% Asian 16% Black/African American 52% Latino/Hispanic 5% White 16% Other

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts

20%

30%

Standard not met

36%

SBAC, Math

14%

Standard nearly met

28%

27%

Standard met

30%

15%

Standard exceeded

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LEADERSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS — RICHMOND 880 Bissell Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801

510.235.4522 | www.leadps.org/richmond SCHOOL HOURS

GENERAL INFORMATION Principal: Shawn Benjamin Grades served: 9–12 Main enrollment grade: 9 Uniform: Yes High

Public transportation: AC Transit: 71, 72M, 76

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Enroll WCC Charters | School Guide

Regular hours: 8:00–4:30 Before/after school hours: Yes

Sending 100% of our students to and through college.

Program features: Southern California College Tour; Historic Black College Tour; Northern California College Tour; drama; art and photography; engineering; 16 sports teams including cheer; tutoring; numerous student clubs and associations.

DEMOGRAPHICS (2016–17) Total enrollment:

575

92%

10%

Special Education

Economically Disadvantaged

Race/Ethnicity

English Learners

2% Asian 6% Black/African American 89% Latino/Hispanic 2% Other

19%

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (2016–17) SBAC, English Language Arts Standard not met

10% 17%

45%

27%

95%

Standard met

SBAC, Math

43%

Standard nearly met

Graduation rate:

Standard exceeded

38%

13% 6%

UC/CSU eligibility rate:

98%

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS AND RESOURCES Other Public School Options Charter schools not participating in Enroll WCC West Contra Costa Unified School District WCCUSD Transfers

Additional Resources Questions to ask when visiting a school

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OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTIONS Charter schools not participating in Enroll WCC Charters: The following schools are not participating in the Enroll WCC Charters initiative for the 2018–19 school year. Many schools have expressed interest in participation, and we are enthusiastic about more joining us in future years. Each school has its own application process and timeline. For more information, contact each school directly.

AMPS — Benito Juarez Elementary School 1450 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA 94804 510.215.7009 www.amps-ca.schoolloop.com/BJE AMPS — Richmond Charter Academy 1450 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA 94804 510.235.2465 www.amps-ca.schoolloop.com/RCA AMPS — John Henry High School 1402 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA 94804 510.235.2439 www.amps-ca.schoolloop.com/JHHS Manzanita Charter Middle School 461 33rd Street, Richmond, CA 94804 510.222.3500 www.manzy.org

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

Richmond College Prep Schools 1014 Florida Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804 510.235.2066 www.rcpschools.org Voices West Contra Costa Voices WCC is a new Spanish/English dual immersion elementary school, opening in Fall 2018. www.voicesacademies.org

West Contra Costa Unified School District The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) operates more than 50 public schools. For more information about your zoned neighborhood school, other district options, and how to register, visit www.wccusd.net.

To view data about WCCUSD schools, student demographics, and academic results, visit www.wccusd.net/dashboard.

WCCUSD Transfers To attend a WCCUSD school other than your assigned neighborhood school, you can request a transfer. Transfers are available during Open Enrollment, which is a two-week period that usually takes place in February of the previous school year. (Note: The dates of Open Enrollment for 2018–19 were unavailable at the time this guide was published.)

WCCUSD policy gives transfer priority to students zoned to the following schools: Bayview, Chavez, Coronado, DeJean, Dover, Downer, Ford, Grant, Harbour Way, Highland, Kennedy, King, Lake, Lincoln, Montalvin, Nystrom, Peres, Richmond, Riverside, Stege, and Verde.

Learn more about WCCUSD transfers by visiting www.wccusd.net/page/552.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Additional Resources This school guide is just one way to learn about public school options in West Contra Costa. We encourage you to learn more by visiting www.enrollwcc.org and exploring these additional resources.

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CAASPP Smarter Balanced Test Results www.caaspp.org Use this interactive website to see detailed information about a school’s SBAC test results. You can view overall results, as well as results by student race or English language proficiency.

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California School Dashboard www.caschooldashboard.org Launched in 2017 by the California Department of Education, this website includes information about a school’s test scores, graduation rates, school climate, and more.

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GreatSchools www.greatschools.org Look up any school in this online database to view school ratings, parent reviews, test scores, and more.

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WCCUSD Data Dashboard www.wccusd.net/dashboard This website provides information about WCCUSD schools, including academic results, student demographics, and more.

Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

Questions to Ask When Visiting a School When touring a school, be sure to ask questions! This will help you get to know a school, and whether it might be a good fit for your child. Here are a few examples of questions you might consider asking: •

How does this school prepare students for success in college and career?

There are many ways to teach students the academic content, critical thinking, and socioemotional skills that are necessary to be successful in life. What kind of curriculum does this school use? How does the school use data to track whether a student is on track or needs extra help?

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For high schools: How many students are graduating with the requirements to apply to UC or CSU colleges?

This is also known as A–G coursework. Does your school offer Advanced Placement or dual enrollment courses, allowing students to obtain college credit while in high school?

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How does this school create a positive learning environment for all students?

Many schools have a diverse student population with many children from different backgrounds. Are there opportunities for my child to learn about diversity and different cultures? How are students with similar backgrounds as my child doing at this school?

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How long have your teachers been teaching at your school? What are their backgrounds and qualifications?

Teacher effectiveness has a tremendous impact on student success. Are teachers at this school highly qualified? Do they receive training and ongoing support to help improve their practice?

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What are the disciplinary policies at this school? What are the rates of suspension and expulsion?

How discipline is managed can impact the school’s climate and learning environment. How does this school manage student conduct? How does this school document and communicate behavior concerns with parents?

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How are parents involved at this school?

Parent engagement can be a powerful tool for student and school success. How frequently does this school communicate with parents? Do teachers proactively inform parents about their child’s academic and social development? What opportunities are available for parents to volunteer or be involved in the school’s decision-making?

•

How can this school accommodate my child’s learning style and interests?

All children have unique learning styles, abilities, and interests. What opportunities exist for personalized learning, individualized support, and extracurricular activities?

Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

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SCHOOL VISIT NOTES Aspire Richmond California College Preparatory Academy

Aspire Richmond Technology Academy

Caliber: Beta Academy

Invictus Academy of Richmond

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC

Leadership Public Schools — Richmond

Making Waves Academy

Summit Public School K2

Summit Public School Tamalpais

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Charter School Guide | Enroll WCC