|
What is a Charter School?
[ Read more in About Charter Schools section ]
Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission(our mission-'Enabling students to climb to heights that are their own'), program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-- usually a state or local school board -- to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.
- Charter schools are tuition free, non-sectarian, and non-discriminatory in practice.
- Charter schools are PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
- Charter schools must be approved by the Texas State Board of Education
What makes Treetop's different?
Each charter school has their own mission statement. Our mission statement-'Enabling students to climb to heights that are their own'. Some charter schools focus on fine arts, some focus on at risk students,etc.. Our focus is incoporating a variety of learning styles into traditional learning. Any given classroom runs the gambit from learning differenced child, traditional student to gifted and talented student-all learning the same objective at the same time in several different ways. We utilize our 20 acre campus in cirriculum whenever the oppurtunity presents itself-especially in the science arena! We have a caring and energetic staff that communicate with parents and students! Is Treetops an alternative School?
Treetops is NOT an alternative behavior or JJAEP school. We do not accept students that have been expelled or are in the process of expulsion. We offer an alternative education to the traditional public school. Why is the school's name Treetops School International?
As a private school Treetops traveled frequently and visited other schools around the world. As a charter school we have had students and staff travel to Italy and Mexico. There were a few years that we did not travel due to the political climate. We are currently planning more trips and think it is very important for students to learn about other cultures and customs to broaden their scope of the world and the part that we all play in it. What approach do you use towards curriculum?
Treetops International uses the co-op approach to partner with parents in sharing the responsibility to promote educating the whole child. The TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) are used as the core curriculum. TEKS guidelines are available on Texas Education Agency's website www.tea.state.tx.us. Are you accredited?
Treetops School International is accredited for K-12th grade by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Education Agency. What type of student does Treetops service?
Treetops services all kinds of learners! Due to the 17 to 1-student teacher ratio we are a natural transition for home schoolers and students overwhelmed by the larger, traditional public schools. Does my child have to live in the area to attend Treetops?
No, you don't have to live in the area to attend Treetops. We accept students from 21 districts. To see a full list of approved districts, go to the About Treetops section. Do you work with children with learning differences?
Treetops School offers a comprehensive system of Child Find in which all individuals birth through age 21 may or may not be in school and who fall within our jurisdiction, regardless of severity of the disability, will be located, identified, and evaluated. The referral, full and individual evalution and ARD (admission, review, and dismissal) / IEP (individual education plan) placement process adheres to all state and federal requirements. What is your average class size?
The average class size is 17:1. Treetops School is an inclusive school that accomodates students with special needs in the least retrictive environment. Special needs students will be served in the classroom through differentaited curriculum modifications as identified in the individual education plans when appropriate. Are you a Montessori school?
The lower grades at Treetops are Montessori based. Hands-on multisensory learning continues to be a part of all grade levels, though traditional content and accreditation standards are also met at upper grades. How are students assessed?
Student achievement is reported every 3 weeks through progress reports and report cards every nine weeks. Grades 3-12 will adminisiter the TAKS, SDAA or LDAA. Benchmark testing is done schoolwide at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. Does Treetops have a cafeteria?
Treetops does NOT have a cafeteria. Grades Kg-12th bring their lunch daily. 9th-12th are the only students with access to a microwave. Do students wear uniforms?
No uniforms. Casual dress with KG-8th grade required to wear tennis shoes daily as they have PE daily. 9th-12th grade students who are enrolled in a PE class must wear or bring tennis shoes for PE. If a 9th-12th grader is NOT in a PE class they must wear closed toed shoes-no sandals. |