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News & Information
K-8 Charter School Proposed For Baden
Baden Academy Charter School to be located at site of former Mount Gallitzin Academy
Posted November 19, 2009
In an effort to expand parental choice and offer enhanced educational opportunities for public school students in Beaver County and the surrounding region, a group of parents, educators, and community members are planning to launch a new charter school beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.
With tentative plans to open next year for grades K-3, Baden Academy Charter School will eventually offer a comprehensive, arts-infused elementary and middle school program (K-8) based on a classical education model. The school's Kindergarten will include a program for four-year-olds.
"Through a rigorous and challenging curriculum, a classical education model seeks to develop the whole child by equipping students with critical thinking skills, a passion for life-long learning, and a virtuous character" says Stephen Catanzarite, spokesman for the group developing the school.
Pending a lease agreement, the new charter school will be located in Baden at the Mount Gallitzin Academy site on the Motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Mount Gallitzin Academy was closed following the 2008-09 school year due to declining enrollment, changing demographics, and economic and financial considerations.
The new charter school would operate as an independent educational entity, separate and apart from the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters of St. Joseph will not be involved with the proposed charter school; they will only be leasing the academy property to the new school.
In Pennsylvania, charter schools are independent, nonsectarian public schools that are approved by local school districts. They are created and controlled by parents, teachers, community leaders, and colleges or universities. Charter schools operate free from many state mandates, except for those concerning nondiscrimination, health and safety, and educational and financial accountability. Charter Schools offer alternatives in public education using strategies aimed at creating student and parent choice, improving student performance, and saving taxpayer money. As public schools, charters are not permitted to charge tuition, and they are funded according to enrollment.
The development of the application for Baden Academy Charter School was funded by the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS). NNDS is a non-profit management foundation that supports a variety of programs, services, and initiatives aimed at improving K-12 education.
Catanzarite says that, following the procedure set forth by Pennsylvania's charter school law, the first step toward the creation of the school will be the submission of a comprehensive application to the Board of Education of the Ambridge Area School District this week. Ambridge will then have up to 45 days to hold a public hearing on the application. The district will then have up to 75 days approve or deny the application. If the application is denied, an appeal can be made to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Charter School Appeal Board, which could then approve the application.
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