By Brady Averill

Aspen Academy – a new charter school that received approval from the Minnesota Department of Education earlier this month – will open its doors next fall, but some questions remain and there’s plenty of work ahead.

The school board held its first public informational meeting Tuesday (Oct. 23). About 10 parents attended the meeting, many armed with questions and some ready to apply for enrollment for the 2007-08 school year.

The school is sponsored by Friends of Ascension, a non-profit organization that sponsors around 17 schools in Minnesota. It will serve students in kindergarten through second grade next fall. The board plans to someday open the school to those in third through eighth grades.

By early October, 96 families had shown interest in Aspen Academy, according to Misty
Schutrop, chairwoman of the board. The school will be open to students from any school district, but enrollment is limited so class sizes remain small.

Chad and Denise Slipka, Shakopee residents who attended the meeting and whose oldest child is entering kindergarten next year, said Aspen
Academy is their first choice on a list of charter schools for their son. They want to send him to a charter school because he’s especially interested in academics, which they believe is emphasized more at charter schools, they said.

“There seems to be more focus on education and parent involvement,” Chad Slipka said.

Asked whether they had reservations about a school that has yet to open, he said, “Not any more than we would have sending our kid to any other school.”

Here’s a partial list of some of the questions and answers from the Oct. 23 meeting:

Q: Where will Aspen Academy be located?

A: “The answer is we don’t know yet,” Schutrop said. “We’re looking for the right spot.” She expects the school will be located in the
Prior Lake-Savage area. The board is looking to lease a space with around 20,000 square feet, she said.

Q. How many students will
be allowed in each class?

The school will accept around 20 students per class. If there are more applicants than the limit allows, the board will conduct a lottery.

Q. What curriculum will
the school offer?

A: They will use a Core Knowledge-based curriculum. Among the highlights, students will start learning Spanish in kindergarten. Schutrop said she hopes a native speaker will be in place to teach Spanish. Latin will also be introduced early. And the curriculum will include Singapore math. “It will be academically rigorous,” she said of the curriculum.

Q. When will a director
and teachers be hired?

Schutrop’s immediate answer is “soon.” The board plans to start conducting nationwide searches for a director and teachers. Ideally, she said, teachers will have experience with the CORE curriculum, but it won’t be required.

Q. Will the school run
classes throughout the year?

A: Schutrop said Aspen Academy will have a traditional school year like other public schools. But students will likely be in the
classroom longer throughout the day and more days during the academic calendar.

Q. Will there be all-day
kindergarten?

A: The board is looking to give parents the option of half-day and full-day kindergarten. Those who opt for full-day kindergarten would have to pay a fee, she said. During the full-day option, students will receive
enrichment – they won’t learn new concepts, but they will study subjects they’re already learning in a more in-depth manner, Schutrop said.

Q. What about preschool?

A. Schutrop said there are plans to have a pre-kindergarten program starting this fall, however, students enrolled in the program won’t receive automatic placement in the primary school. It is hoped that the preschool would be located in the same spot as the K-8 school.

Q. Are competitive sports
offered?

A. Not at Aspen Academy, although students should be able to petition to the school district – where they’re a resident – to participate in sports, said Michelle Will, a board member. “For parents who are trying to raise a hockey player, then maybe our
charter school isn’t for them,” Schutrop said.

Q. Is there a dress code?

A. There will be a simple school uniform, Schutrop said. A committee will be formed to decide what it will be.

Q. Will the board hold another
meeting?

A: The board plans to hold a public meeting Nov. 19 at Savage City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive.

Brady Averill can be reached at baverill@swpub.com.