The mission of each Springs Charter School is to empower students by fostering their innate curiosity, engaging their parents, and promoting optimum learning by collaboratively developing a personalized learning program for each student.
Palm Academy TK through 8th-grade students participated in an Easter Egg Hunt the day before Spring Break, organized by staff and supported by donations from school families. All eggs, treats, and prizes were provided by parents. The event offered students an opportunity to engage in a seasonal activity while fostering a sense of community within the school, reported teacher Michelle Pantoja.
Seventh-grade student Jacob Lotte has been accepted into the Riverside County Sheriff's Youth Explorer program in Temecula, reported Homeschool Principal April Jacoby. The program is an opportunity for students ages 14 to 21 to explore potential careers in law enforcement and criminal justice, and also provides valuable experiences in character building, leadership development, and community service.
Students at Connections Academy at Springs have been busy learning about how dams work, reported 2nd-grade teacher Arlene Bernath. As part of their science unit, students explored the purpose and structure of dams and then built their own using everyday materials.
Springs’ Cherry Valley Student Center held its 7th annual Grad Walk, reported Principal TammySlaten. Parents and students honored the accomplishments of 8th-grade students during a Hands Across Our Campus Kindness Event.
Venture Online 10th grade student Abe Wilson earned first place in the “Senior Division: Depth of Knowledge” category of the Springs Speech Meet. His presentation stood out for its insight, clarity, and thoughtful engagement with complex ideas, showcasing not only his strong communication skills but also his deep understanding of the topic, according to his teacher, GrahmeSmith. Abe is a straight-A student who is taking both college and coding classes. He also serves on the Venture Advisory Committee.
The Magnolia Student Center held a Renaissance Fair with staff and Springs families dressing in royal clothing (based on Springs’ annual theme), reported Kathryn Alexis-Woon, 3rd grade Academy teacher. The event included a marketplace showcasing items created by students, such as crocheted animals, stamped canvas bags, and scrunchies. Students practiced entrepreneurship by selling the items they created.
Charter schools are independent public schools with rigorous curriculum programs and unique educational approaches. In exchange for operational freedom and flexibility, charter schools are subject to higher levels of accountability than traditional public schools. Charter schools, which are tuition-free and open to all students, offer quality and choice in the public education system.
The charter establishing each such school is a contract detailing the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. In California, charters are granted for five years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school’s contract. Charter schools are accountable to their authorizer, and to the students and families they serve, to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract.
Like traditional public schools, charters receive state funding based on a formula for each child enrolled in the school. Many charters also do additional fundraising to obtain grants and donations to pay for programs that are not fully funded by state or school district formulas. When lawmakers passed the Charter Schools Act of 1992, California became the second state in the country (after Minnesota) to enact charter school legislation. The intent was to allow groups of educators, community members, parents, or others to create an alternative type of public school.