We have compiled a list of questions on charter schools in general and questions pertaining to the SOAR Charter Middle School.
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Charter schools are public schools that are tuition-free and give parents and families a choice for education.
No. All Wisconsin charter schools are and must be public schools. They are all tuition-free.
Since charter schools are public schools, the money that they receive comes from the same source of funding for all public education. The money is simply moved from one provider of public education (the district), to another (the charter school). Charter schools often bring new resources into a community’s public school system through foundation, state, and federal government grants.
Wisconsin’s charter schools are open to all children in the state. Some charter schools are at capacity and have waiting lists; in these situations, a lottery system is used to determine which students can attend.
The Northland Pines School District works very hard to have all students reach their potential. To continue to obtain this goal the district explored educational improvement options for students. The idea of the charter school and plan for SOAR (School of Options and Applied Research) was the result of a committee examining how best to serve the needs of all students of the Northland Pines School District. The committee made up of educators and community members concluded that a 5th – 8th grade project based charter school would help more of our students reach their potential.
Current Northland Pines area students, open-enrolled individuals, and home-schooled students are eligible to attend SOAR.
Charter schools bring forward-thinking curriculum to our state’s children and are “innovation labs” within existing school district budgets. Charter schools serve as a “testing ground” for new curriculum, and as they are modified and developed into successful models, these curriculums can be rolled out to conventional (non-charter) schools.
SOAR’s focus is to offer students a challenging curriculum based upon their interests and post-secondary goals. Learning is interdisciplinary and self-directed. Although students with varying academic abilities find success at SOAR, this charter is not specifically designed for the at-risk or gifted and talented learner.
Interdisciplinary learning emphasizes the connection between traditionally discrete disciplines. Learning is organized around themes, problems, and issues in order for the student to solve challenges, answer questions, or create products. Topic driven seminars will address the academic standards of multiple subject areas.
In addition to mastering core academics, students will learn and practice skills related to global awareness, entrepreneurship, civic and health literacy, and environmental stewardship. Through a variety of modes, 21st century learners develop skills in innovation, information/media, technology, and life/careers. As the 21st century will demand more from each of us, SOAR wants to prepare students for any and all of these continued challenges.
A successful student at SOAR needs to be self-motivated, willing to explore their innovations, and be responsible for their own learning. Students need to work with and learn from their peers. They must be able to provide feedback to and accept feedback from peers, teachers, community members and other individuals involved with their learning. Flexibility, communication, and the ability to view things from diverse perspectives are skills that will contribute to success.
Students at SOAR are assessed through standard based grades based upon a curriculum connected with the state, local and national standards.
SOAR enrolls 57 students each year.
According to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), if more than 57 students apply to the School of Options & Applied Research, a lottery will take place to determine who will be accepted.
Mrs. Kate Neville, Mrs. Robin Indermuehle, and Mr.Jeffrey Libby. They also have a paraprofessional, Mrs.Pluedeman, that assists all students.
Students at SOAR have individual flexible schedules with the majority of the day spent on site. Students attend school Monday through Thursday from 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. and Friday is focused on community service, project work, and mentor collaboration. Room and staff are available outside of these hours.
SOAR is located in a wing at Land O’ Lakes Elementary School. The address is 6485 Town Hall Road, Land O' Lakes, WI 54540.
Northland Pines School District area students are provided transportation. During the normal school year there is a bus from St. Germain/Eagle River to Land O’ Lakes. Land O’ Lakes students are bussed to the school.
Each SOAR Middle School student has a personalized learning plan. The plan may allow a student to participate in various opportunities at Northland Pines Middle School. However, students do not attend Northland Pines Middle School classes.
Yes, SOAR Middle School students are able to participate in all Northland Pines Middle School sports, clubs and extra-curricular activities.
Yes, foreign language opportunities are available to SOAR Middle School students.
In planning for our new school, we surveyed Northland Pines School District families to determine what they were looking for in a school and educational programming for their children. There was a significant response from families looking for alternatives and options for their upper elementary and middle school children. As a result, the unique features of SOAR include:
- multiage classrooms and flexible grouping
- personalized learning that accommodates variations in learning abilities, styles, and interests
- research skills applied to practical problem solving needed for lifelong success in the 21st century
- state-of-the-art technologies that accommodate and accelerate learning, and allow access to regional and global networks
- Project-Based Learning: learning that integrates student’s abilities, skills, and creativity to demonstrate essential core knowledge and critical thinking skills.
- integrated learning that connects subject areas like the sciences, math, literacy and the fine arts
- partnerships with resources, agencies and businesses in the larger community
- opportunities for mentorship and independent study
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