General
Enrollment
Special Programs
Location/Transportation
Staffing – Principal, Administrative Staff, Librarian, Teachers, etc.
What sparked the idea to create a charter school in Calvert County? I thought Calvert has some of the best schools in Maryland.
Most of the Board of Directors is made up of people who moved to
What is the basic process for establishing a charter school in
The logistics of establishing a charter school in
How are students selected to attend the charter school?
Any
What is the admissions process?
Since the school is a charter school, there is a process involved in admission to the school. However, this process is not based on academic achievement, capability, or teacher recommendation. Like all public schools, the BASPCS is obligated to admit all students in the appropriate grades in
How can I get my child enrolled?
We cannot enroll any students nor hold any slots for students until after our charter has been approved by the Calvert County Public School Board and we have a contract in place. Once the admissions process has begun, we will advertise it widely through this website, local newspapers, and on public bulletin boards available throughout
How many slots will be available during the first year?
We are anticipating having 2 classes of about 17 students each for each grade. So, there will be 34 slots available in grade 6, 34 slots available in grade 7, and 34 slots available in grade 8 when we open in 2008.
Will charter school students have to take the MSAs and/or HSAs?
Yes, since the BASPCS is a public school, all students will be required to take all State mandated tests.
How much time will be spent specifically on preparing students to take the MSAs and HSAs?
We do not currently plan to spend any classroom time that is specifically aimed at preparation for State mandated tests. Our curriculum meets or exceeds the Maryland State Voluntary Curriculum and the MSAs and HSAs are based on the voluntary curriculum. Our expectation is that if we are properly engaging the students in the material required by the state, they shouldn’t have any problem taking tests based on that material.
Will there be entrance exams?
No. We are a public school and the doors will be open to all children of the correct grades in
What after school athletic programs will be offered? Will my child be able to participate in organized school sports?
With such a small student body, we do not anticipate offering any team sports. However, we are working on having an after school program that could incorporate individualized athletics such as martial arts, yoga, orienteering, or hiking.
How will special education requirements be met?
As a public school, we must meet all state and local requirements regarding special education. We anticipate having a special education teacher that would visit our school on a regular basis, just as they currently do throughout the county in all the public schools.
Do you have a building?
No, we are working on the facility for the school. We are considering both existing commercial buildings and land where we could build.
Where will the school be located?
We are currently looking for a facility for the school. Since it is a public school and a charter school, it will be open to all students throughout
Will there be public school bus transportation to the school?
Yes. When we negotiate our charter with the Calvert County Public School Board, we will arrange for public school buses to transport the students to and from school everyday. The details of how this will work are still being worked out.
Will the staff receive different salaries and benefits than at other public schools?
Since charter schools operate as part of the public school system, we will be bound by the same contract as the Calvert County Public School Board. Therefore, salaries and benefits will be identical to working at any other public school in
How will teachers and administrators be selected for the school?
Teachers for public charter schools are interviewed and selected by the group sponsoring the school, but they must be approved by the county Board of Education. All teachers must be highly qualified and certified, in keeping with both Calvert County’s Master Plan and the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. We are seeking teachers and administrators who will welcome the interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to learning that is central to the Bay Arts & Sciences Public Charter School curriculum. We will focus on individuals who either have experience teaching in an environment that encourages creativity and self-directed learning, or are open to learning a different teaching style. The teachers who will be most effective at the BASPCS are those who are willing to be led by - and surprised by - the questions that their students ask and the interests and talents that their students bring to the classroom experience.