Cincinnati Public Schools
Charter Schools
In 1997, the Ohio Legislature passed a law allowing charter schools to operate in Ohio. Since then, the number of charter schools — also called "community schools" — has grown to 267 around the state, with more than 42 operating within the Cincinnati Public School District.
The large number of local charter schools can present a confusing picture of public education in Cincinnati and can raise questions for parents about which schools will best serve their children. Most charter schools are relatively new, with limited experience in the field of public education and often are unproven in terms of how they educate students.
Overall, Cincinnati Public Schools' students score higher on state tests than students in charter schools, and CPS hires teachers with better qualifications and more experience than the charter schools. CPS students have the advantage of attending schools within an established district, with highly qualified teachers and an honored history and tradition.
Charter schools are public schools, but most of them operate outside the control of the local school district. Charter schools are not held accountable to all the state and federal education laws that traditional public schools must follow. As a public school, a charter school may not discriminate in their student enrollment, cannot teach religion and cannot charge tuition.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about charter schools:
How well do charter schools perform overall compared to Cincinnati Public Schools?
Answer: Cincinnati Public Schools' students outperformed students in 82 percent of the charter schools in Hamilton County, according to a 2005 study of Ohio Department of Education data by the Coalition of Public Education. To view scores from the Ohio proficiency tests taken by all students, go to the ODE Web site.
Are charter schools' teachers held to the same standards as other public schools?
Answer: No. There are significant differences in terms of teacher employment between charters and traditional public schools. For example, charter teachers are not required to teach in the subject area or grade in which they are licensed. Only 31 percent of charter school teachers nationally are ranked as highly qualified compared to 93 percent of traditional public school teachers.
Are charter schools part of Cincinnati Public Schools?
Answer: No. Charter schools have their own staffs, curriculum and boards. CPS does sponsor two charter schools for children with specific needs — the Lighthouse Community School and the East End Community Heritage School — but these charter schools are not operated by CPS.
Do you know how to tell if your child attends a charter school or a Cincinnati Public School?
Answer: Review the district’s Web site, or call CPS’ Customer Help Center, 513-363-0123 to see if your child’s school is operated by the Cincinnati Public School District.
Can a child return to Cincinnati Public Schools if the parent is not satisfied with a charter school?
Answer: Yes, CPS welcomes every child — at any time — to enroll in our district. To learn more about school options in Cincinnati Public Schools, call CPS’ Customer Help Center, 513-363-0123. Or, visit the district’s Web site.
Academics
Dater Montessori
CPS & US: The Workforce
The Workforce we would have to have if we partner with CPS is governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The question is do we want to do this.
In 1997, the Ohio Legislature passed a law allowing charter schools to operate in Ohio. Since then, the number of charter schools — also called "community schools" — has grown to 267 around the state, with more than 42 operating within the Cincinnati Public School District.
The large number of local charter schools can present a confusing picture of public education in Cincinnati and can raise questions for parents about which schools will best serve their children. Most charter schools are relatively new, with limited experience in the field of public education and often are unproven in terms of how they educate students.
Overall, Cincinnati Public Schools' students score higher on state tests than students in charter schools, and CPS hires teachers with better qualifications and more experience than the charter schools. CPS students have the advantage of attending schools within an established district, with highly qualified teachers and an honored history and tradition.
Charter schools are public schools, but most of them operate outside the control of the local school district. Charter schools are not held accountable to all the state and federal education laws that traditional public schools must follow. As a public school, a charter school may not discriminate in their student enrollment, cannot teach religion and cannot charge tuition.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about charter schools:
How well do charter schools perform overall compared to Cincinnati Public Schools?
Answer: Cincinnati Public Schools' students outperformed students in 82 percent of the charter schools in Hamilton County, according to a 2005 study of Ohio Department of Education data by the Coalition of Public Education. To view scores from the Ohio proficiency tests taken by all students, go to the ODE Web site.
Are charter schools' teachers held to the same standards as other public schools?
Answer: No. There are significant differences in terms of teacher employment between charters and traditional public schools. For example, charter teachers are not required to teach in the subject area or grade in which they are licensed. Only 31 percent of charter school teachers nationally are ranked as highly qualified compared to 93 percent of traditional public school teachers.
Are charter schools part of Cincinnati Public Schools?
Answer: No. Charter schools have their own staffs, curriculum and boards. CPS does sponsor two charter schools for children with specific needs — the Lighthouse Community School and the East End Community Heritage School — but these charter schools are not operated by CPS.
Do you know how to tell if your child attends a charter school or a Cincinnati Public School?
Answer: Review the district’s Web site, or call CPS’ Customer Help Center, 513-363-0123 to see if your child’s school is operated by the Cincinnati Public School District.
Can a child return to Cincinnati Public Schools if the parent is not satisfied with a charter school?
Answer: Yes, CPS welcomes every child — at any time — to enroll in our district. To learn more about school options in Cincinnati Public Schools, call CPS’ Customer Help Center, 513-363-0123. Or, visit the district’s Web site.
Academics
Dater Montessori
CPS & US: The Workforce
The Workforce we would have to have if we partner with CPS is governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The question is do we want to do this.
Dater Montessori
Description
The learning principles of Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori emphasize the development of the whole child in a specially designed environment. Montessori-trained teachers model for the students the ground rules for the class, sparking each child’s interest and imagination to begin the learning process.
The child is the pivotal point in the Montessori classroom, learning independently and working at his or her own pace. Children use Montessori materials designed to be self-corrective so that children may work with them independently. Many parent-made and teacher-made materials also are used. The materials encourage active, concrete learning on the part of the students and lead to higher levels of abstract thinking.
Montessori classes are multiaged grouped. Students in preschool and kindergarten are grouped together as are students in grades 1 through 3 and grades 4 through 6, creating environments that are identified by age rather than grades (3-6 classes, 6-9 classes and 9-12 classes). This grouping recognizes that children develop socially and intellectually at quite different rates and that children at the same developmental level are as important to learning as children of the same chronological age. Based on Montessori’s observation of the family unit, younger children and older children learn from each other.
Special Features
Strong parent involvement is a critical part of the Montessori program. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom, work on special programs throughout the year, and become active in the parent teacher organizations.
Special programs are offered to build students’ understanding of art and literature, cultural awareness and social skills. These may include the Great Books series, peer mediation and Suzuki music.
Each classroom uses individualized work plans or contracts that specify the students’ daily or weekly assignments. Parents are kept informed about what their children are working on in the classroom. Montessori classrooms allow for organized movement as each student goes about his or her daily assignments.
Eligibility
Any child entering preschool, kindergarten, or grade 1 in the Cincinnati Public Schools is eligible to apply for the Montessori program; first-graders with previous Montessori experience receive preference.
Other students are considered if they have previous Montessori experience but must go through an interview process at the school. Students should apply to their quadrant magnet Montessori School.
AUTOMATIC ADMISSION is granted to Clark Montessori High School (7-12) for those students
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