Charter schools exist to help close the educational gaps between students in highly resourced areas and those in historically under-resourced areas. There are major differences in the educational needs in different schools, even within the same metro area.
Therefore, charter schools, schools that were given a “charter” by an authorizing district, were given the freedom to create an individualized school curriculum that meets the needs of their particular population in exchange for oversight and accountability. More freedom allows charter schools to meet their students where they are and help them get where they need to go most efficiently and effectively.
Why Prioritize Autonomy?
The autonomy that charter schools have to operate independently and prioritize community -specific curriculum is important to Alliance schools. It allows schools to respond quickly to educational best practice findings and use research-backed experimental educational practices.
If a large population of learners is not native English speakers, schools can employ strategies like Alliance’s robust English Language Development (ELD) program. It integrates English learning across the daily curriculum and builds in extra support for teachers and small group intervention for the scholars who need extra help.
Charter schools such as Alliance can craft their curriculum to directly serve the needs of their scholars, and Alliance has built a reputation for creating college-ready scholars through two decades of dedicated curriculum development.
The Alliance Distinction
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools specialize in preparing their scholars for higher education. Scholars entering the Alliance schools know that they and their families will be part of a community that shares this goal.
This priority shapes curriculum planning across Alliance schools:
- Curriculum priorities like the ELD programs prioritize specific needs
- Small group classes are available when scholars need more assistance than the standard in-class curriculum would provide
- Teachers have special training to ensure curriculum priorities are understood and being met
- Additional programs exist to help families deal with specific challenges, such as meal programs on school holidays or homeless and foster care liaisons
- Alliance scholars get the opportunity to visit colleges, even as early as middle school
Specialization Schools
Though all Alliance schools prioritize preparing scholars for higher education, individual charter schools can also have a special curriculum focus or concentration. Scholars who are especially interested in pursuing a certain area of their education can apply to schools that specialize in that area.
Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science is a great example of specialization in practice. It is consistently ranked among LA’s top charter high schools. Scholars who want to pursue a higher education degree in STEM will not only receive the standard classes that prepare all Alliance scholars for their college programs, but also focused math and science classes for all four years.
And the Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy frames the same college-readiness through the lens of leadership, offering courses to develop innovation and advocacy.
Potential scholars can choose to apply to the school of their choice through Alliance’s website.
Changing the Landscape of Education
The freedom in curriculum at Alliance allows students and families who share the value of prioritizing college-readiness while supporting the full mental and physical health of the scholar to self-select into a similar supportive community.
Visit the Alliance Foundation to learn more about impact.
Sources:
Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science
The Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Foundation
Understanding Charter Schools vs. Public Schools
What is the Difference Between Charter, Magnet, and Public Schools?
Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy