New charter school, Chouteau and Spring, NOW enrolling

krisquint · PostJul 14, 2007#12007-07-14T19:07+00:00

I am a teacher that is leaving a local independent school to teach in the city...however....

I am going to be working in the Imagine School of Environmental Math and Science, a charter school for 1200 kids, which will be FREE for all students within the city's district. It will adhere to all the state and federal education standards, offer the breakfast and lunch program and free bussing within the district, and also be accountable to the parents.

I decided to work there because they will offer an amazing state of the art facility and a private school quality education to families who have either had to suffer a tumultuous and sometimes sub-standard education or leave their communities just to go to school. In fact this school will be able to offer things like violin and a rooftop garden for botanical research, that my former 11,000 dollar per yr independent school couldn't ever dream of offering. For FREE

I live in the South Grand/Tower Grove area, where this school is located, and am excited to be doing something to shore up my own community, as well as help families, not just kids, become reinvested in the CITY. People are very uninvested in the SLPS school district.

Links for those who are interested:

virtual tour: http://www.imagineschools-spring.com/

News article: http://southwestcityjournal.stltoday.co ... th.ii1.txt

Alex Ihnen · PostJul 15, 2007#22007-07-15T17:59+00:00

^Thanks - I was wondering when I was going to see something about this building. I'd seen the sign about a school some time back. It seems that there are great education options in the city (neighbors have children at STIX and love it), I just wish more people knew.

jasontoon · PostJul 17, 2007#32007-07-17T15:14+00:00

With one toddler and another kid on the way, I'm very interested in this school. I'm usually skeptical of charter schools - their record here is just as bad as regular city schools - but it sounds like this one might be done right.

krisquint · PostJul 17, 2007#42007-07-17T15:26+00:00

It's important to note that the Imagine Company is running the Hedgeman Academy on Washington, which recently expanded from elementary-middle to High School, and is largely considered very successfull. Edison is another company that has a less stellar reputation in town for running charters.

loftlady · PostJul 17, 2007#52007-07-17T15:41+00:00

What exactly do you mean Edison has a less than stellar reputation? Is this based on fact or just that you are trying to promote imagine schools? I know several respectable responsible people who have their children enrolled in Edison Schools and they seem satisified.

jambo · PostJul 17, 2007#62007-07-17T21:54+00:00

Maybe the book The Edison Schools: Corporate Schooling And The Assault On Public Educaton by Kenneth J. Saltman would provide some insights to the reputation issue.

krisquint · PostJul 17, 2007#72007-07-17T22:28+00:00

I'm sorry my response came across as a slam to Edison and those who attend the school.

My intent was to respond to the comment of the previous poster, that she was "skeptical" of charter schools, but was interested in Imagine Schools.

I meant that until now, the reputation of Charter Schools within St. Louis has been held MOSTLY by the schools that are run by University Committees and the Edison company, which is the only "corporate" representation in town, besides the one school Imagine is running. Many folks within the city are concerned with performance of Charters, and some misunderstandings about funding being pulled from one school to be given to another.

Now Imagine is opening 3 more, and has a good reputation all over the country within the educational community.

Conversely, amongst local educators, Edison is not known for accomplishing what they set out to do. I refer only to the COMPANY, and not the administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers that make the school run on a daily basis. From my experience in the political career of education, I imagine that they very admirably compensate for what the company does not provide.

With all that said, we all know that "Bad news travels fast..." meaning that folks that talk about Edison may only be speaking of the parts they do not like. If only people talked more about the good things about education!

Again, I intended no offense to the "Edisonians," after all, we are all in the same boat! I should have phrased my response better

PostJul 17, 2007#82007-07-17T22:33+00:00

A quick search of wikipedia returned this result which discusses Edison.

It is important to note that ANYONE can edit Wikipedia entries, so take that into account when reading any entry on the site, and a search for IMagine Schools did not return a result.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edison_Schools

loftlady · PostJul 18, 2007#92007-07-18T01:47+00:00

Thanks for the responses. I will definitely read and share the references provided. I think we all agree education is important so I want help my friends and family make the best school choice possible.

jcity · PostJul 23, 2007#102007-07-23T02:21+00:00

The Edison Schools: Corporate Schooling And The Assault On Public Educaton

i'm sure he doesn't have an agenda... Public education has been assaulting itself for the last 50 years. How many SLPS children read at their grade level? Could it honestly be any worse than it is now? Sure, some charter schools got off to rocky starts, but COME ON, how could you not be in favor of letting competition take place within a FAILING system? I was blown away by the video clips of this new school. This is a school I'd actually consider sending my kids to-once i have them. SLPS, umm riiiiight..

Conversely, amongst local educators, Edison is not known for accomplishing what they set out to do.

ha,ha, key word being "educators" who are all part of the city school teachers union who would rather continue with today's path to failure. Charter schools are a threat to their power and control.

Bring on the charter schools, it takes power out of the hands of people like Veronica O'Brien. Do I really need to say more?

mattonarsenal · PostJul 23, 2007#112007-07-23T14:51+00:00

Can someone briefly explain how entry into a charter school work?

If I am interested in sending my child to this school, do I just sign-up and he's in, or is there a lottery and/or testing involved similar to magnet schools. If so what are the deciding factors?

I am several years away from having a child in school, but we are starting to think about those things, and this looks like a good option convenient to our home in TGS.

krisquint · PostJul 23, 2007#122007-07-23T16:43+00:00

There are two principles which guide charter schools. First is that they will operate as autonomous public schools. This is effected by gaining waivers from many of the procedural requirements of public schools. The second is that they will use innovative pedagogy. To justify their waivers and autonomy, they are supposed to produce results superior to non-charter schools. Studies have shown that charter schools are rarely closed for poor academic performance.

The rules and structure of charter schools depend on state authorizing legislation, and differ from state to state. A charter school is authorized to function once it has received a charter, a statutorily defined performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years. Charter schools are meant to be held accountable to their sponsor—a local school board, state education agency, university, or other entity—to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract.

In this case, at least in the beginning there is no lottery for admissions. I suppose once they reach their enrollment limit, there will be a lottery or admissions process to address a waiting list. Just as schools are accountable to many areas, including parents, the families are in turn accountable to the school. If for instance there is a chronic discipline issue with a student, the student could conceivably be dismissed to attend his/her normal neighborhood school.

lukethedrifter · PostJul 24, 2007#132007-07-24T16:34+00:00

krisquint wrote:It's important to note that the Imagine Company is running the Hedgeman Academy on Washington, which recently expanded from elementary-middle to High School, and is largely considered very successfull. Edison is another company that has a less stellar reputation in town for running charters.

My girlfriend has a patient who is a teacher at EHL Academy. Her reports were not good at all. Chaotic classrooms, etc.

krisquint · PostJul 24, 2007#142007-07-24T22:55+00:00

I have no direct experience with EHL, but have heard good things about it...as I said, it is largely considered successful. Im sorry that the teacher you speak of has not had a good experience.

PostAug 01, 2007#152007-08-01T20:40+00:00

The Imagine School of Environmental Math and Science will be at Tower Grove Park for a meet and greet, and enrollment fair.

There will be lots of staff and teachers throughout the day to answer questions, and serve up some hot dogs!

Tower Grove Park

Hot Dogs, games, facepainting, balloons

Saturday 8-4-07

10 am- 4- pm

Tunica picnic site

Please join us and learn more about our school!

jasontoon · PostAug 02, 2007#162007-08-02T19:02+00:00

krisquint wrote:The Imagine School of Environmental Math and Science will be at Tower Grove Park for a meet and greet, and enrollment fair.

There will be lots of staff and teachers throughout the day to answer questions, and serve up some hot dogs!

Tower Grove Park

Hot Dogs, games, facepainting, balloons

Saturday 8-4-07

10 am- 4- pm

Tunica picnic site

Please join us and learn more about our school!

Thanks Kris, I think I'll probaby come by with my wife and three-year-old daughter.

How is the building coming? I drove by the other day, and if I was looking at the right building, it looks like it's a long way from being ready to move into. Are you guys still on track to open later this month?

krisquint · PostAug 02, 2007#172007-08-02T20:40+00:00

We ARE opening August 20, but the building has been delayed in construction, as it is a very complicated design.

We WILL be in the building later this fall, but the opening days will be held in a temporary facility, likely an office building or former school. Our building team is setting that up as we speak.

The staff and faculty are READY, and the SCHOOL is "the people," not the building...although the building is going to be fabulous.

UPDATE:

We are getting about 20 kids a day enrolled. There is a lot of excitement out there about this school! Every teacher and administrator was out on foot today meeting people in neighborhoods and passingout cards and flyers door to door. Every person I met was very receptive and interested in the details. People at Tower Grove Playground actually came to ME for flyers.

More info:

If you are in the city, you are in the school's service area. Buses will be provided for everyone at no cost to the families.

If you move anywhere within the city limits, you are able to remain at this school. No changing schools everytime you move.

Aftercare is 20 dollars a week, with in house tutoring available.

All 3rd graders will take Violin, and then be able to choose to continue violin, choose a new instrument, or discontinue instruments.

Monday-Funday will include a period of the day in which teachers teach "fun" topics like digital photography, kiln/ceramic, chess, etc.

check http://www.imagineschools-spring.com/ for more info and animated building plans

PostAug 06, 2007#182007-08-06T23:57+00:00

http://www.space-stl.com/blog/?p=13

Imagine Schools Environmental Math & Science Academy - Spring

Thursday, March 1, 2007

A major transformation is taking place at the old Colonial Bakery Facility at the corner of Spring and Chouteau in St. Louis, Missouri. After years of only providing sanctuary for pigeons, the building will soon be a state of the art center for learning for at least 1,200 children from kindergarten through eighth grade. The Imagine Schools Environmental Math & Science Academy is a Charter School designed unlike any other school in the country. The physical environment itself will become a living laboratory of learning with a core curriculum focused on environmental issues, math and science studies that will be illustrated through a real world experience. For example, structural columns will be labeled with weight bearing loads. Mechanical ductwork will explain air velocity, destinations and flow rates. Some walls will be constructed with transparent materials to reveal their construction makeup and electrical routing. The amazing rooftop space will be utilized as an outdoor botanical classroom, outfitted with an actual greenhouse that students maintain, powered by solar panels and irrigated with rain water runoff. By giving the students these unique hands on experiences they will better understanding the concepts and will retain their learning. In addition to the physical design of the facility, Imagine School’s back to basics philosophy emphasizes parental involvement in a structured and engaging environment, offering specialized studies in art, music, health and language. Their unique approach creates a family learning experience providing resources for parents to learn alongside their children. Located in the heart of St. Louis’s biotech corridor, students will have the opportunity to gain a competitive edge in today’s flourishing math and science industries! Come see for yourself! Take the virtual tour and contact Imagine Schools to find out how to give your family a fun, life-changing learning experience!

Check out the Progress:

www.imagineschools-spring.com

framer · PostDec 06, 2007#192007-12-06T04:55+00:00

I just noticed today a rather large building at the Southeast corner of Spring and Chouteau is undergoing a major rehab. Any info?

threeonefour · PostDec 06, 2007#202007-12-06T05:03+00:00

^ Is that the Imagine (charter) School that's going into the old bakery, or am I thinking of the wrong corner of this intersection?

Alex Ihnen · PostDec 06, 2007#212007-12-06T05:23+00:00

That's it. I think the school has officially opened but at a different, temporary location until this building is done.

MattnSTL · PostDec 06, 2007#222007-12-06T05:27+00:00

I just noticed the school in the former state office building that SLU now owns at Grand and Lindell. The kids were out for recess at the fenced in corner.

Alex Ihnen · PostDec 06, 2007#232007-12-06T05:29+00:00

I think that's the temp location for this school - and the site of the SLU RFP - is that right?

MattnSTL · PostDec 06, 2007#242007-12-06T05:31+00:00

Yes, that is the RFP location. Obviously temp.

PostDec 06, 2007#252007-12-06T05:35+00:00

Merged the topics.