Who runs them? How are they different from public schools? And what do they offer?
Those answers (and more) can be found here, but to summarize, charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are independent from the local public schools. Like public schools, charter schools are required to adhere to all federal, state, and local education, health, and safety rules and regulations. The quality of a private school education, without the cost, is available to all students.
Charter schools are subject to the same standards as public schools, and report to an authorizer who determines if the school is meeting the goals set in its charter. The authorizer monitors the school’s performance, including finances and stability, and can consist of a board of education, a state university, community college, or local district. Capstone Academy will be authorized by the School District 27J.
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is the management organization behind Capstone Academy and 100 schools across nine states. The support and resources NHA provides to teachers and administrators on the ground in schools allows them to focus their time and energy on what they do best – teach. NHA’s Service Center is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., and employs hundreds of people – from curriculum specialists to safety and health – who do some heavy lifting behind the scenes for schools.
Capstone's opening will continue to strengthen school choice in the community, giving parents options for children who otherwise would be assigned a school solely based on where they live. It’s something NHA has provided to so many communities since 1995: a proven Moral Focus-based curriculum.
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About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of over 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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