What is a charter school?

A charter school is a public school without many of the constraints of traditional public schools. It is autonomous in that it doesn’t have to follow some of the same rules as other public schools, but it is held accountable to the goals established by the designing group and the school board, as well as to those by required state testing.

Why does Baraboo need a charter school?

Baraboo can take advantage of the federal government’s push for innovation in education. Since we already have excellent public schools, a charter school provides an additional educational choice for our community’s parents and students. In some ways, the traditional public schools are constrained by the numerous state regulations that charter schools are immune to; therefore, a charter school can try innovative techniques in education

Can Baraboo afford a charter school?

The short answer is, “Yes!” The federal government provides planning, implementation, and dissemination grants to individual charter schools amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This money got the school started. While the maintenance of charter schools is the responsibility of the local school district, our school does not incur any net costs. Given the current state of the school board budget, a local charter school must raise enough money through grants, fundraising and state funding to offset its own operation. By these means, charter schools often bring a surplus of funds to the district. Another goal of a charter school is to attract students in the public school system that wouldn’t otherwise be there (recruiting from private schools, homeschooling families, and students from other districts), and so, many charter schools actually bring in funds to the entire district

Who is starting this school?

There are currently seven families on the steering committee, an additional ten families active on various other committees, and an “interested” list of over thirty more families.  Some of us are educators, but most of us are not; all of us are parents with an interest in education and an interest in ways to educate differently. We are looking for more families and teachers to participate in all of the committees, including the steering committee.

How much is tuition?

Free! There is no cost to attend, since BHES is a public school.

What grades?

In 2008-2009 Baraboo Hills Elementary School will serve students in K-3, through multi-aged classrooms. We will grow up to 5th grade by adding one additional grade level each year. 

What are some ways the school will be different?

We will:

  • Use a developmentally appropriate curriculum to educate the whole child. For example, young children are beings of movement, and to have them sit in their seats to learn for long periods of time isn’t taking advantage of this natural gift.
  • Engage students with an integrative curriculum; sometimes literature is used to help teach science, music used to help teach math, etc.
  • Begin Spanish and instrument lessons in kindergarten.
  • Utilize our natural resources (Devil’s Lake; a school garden; local farms) to teach environmental education and experiential science
  • Use student portfolios and main lesson books created by each child
  • Emphasize parental participation, community involvement, and community service.
  • Encourage a healthy lifestyle, which includes healthy lunches and plenty of physical activity.

How do I know what my child is learning and how can I help him or her if traditional textbooks are not always used?

We have frequent parent teacher student conferences and written evaluations. We also have an “open door” policy, so that parents may observe our classes at any time.

Will there be report cards?

Rather than being assigned a grade, the student’s work is discussed with the parents and his or her whole experience at the school is evaluated. Like other public school students, charter school students take the state-required standardized tests

What credentials will the teachers have?

Teachers must be licensed by the Department of Public Instruction, as they are for other public schools. 

What do you mean by “a healthy lifestyle” and “healthy lunches”?

We strive to serve fresh and healthy whole foods, avoiding refined sugars, hydrogenated oils and preservatives. We serve organic and locally produced foods and milk whenever possible. Our hot lunch program involves a unique partnership with the UW-Baraboo campus and does qualify for free and reduced assistance. We provide many opportunities to exercise during the day, deliberately including movement in our curriculum.

Will you have full–day kindergarten?

We believe in putting families first. You know your child best, so we strive to provide flexible scheduling. We offer both full- and half-day kindergarten options.

What do you mean by “parental participation”?

Parents are asked to volunteer at least 30 hours per year to the school. This time may include helping in class and with lunch, fund-raising, field trip and recess supervision, school maintenance, and serving on various boards. We recognize that parents are very busy, but we believe that their involvement is crucial to the success of their children’s education. Parental involvement helps save the school district money and is vital to the daily functioning of the charter school.

How can I get involved?

Glad you asked! If you want to help the continuing development of Baraboo’s first charter school, then we want you and your ideas.

Please call or email the following parents to become more involved: