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FAQ:
frequently asked questions
Links to more information on:
What is a charter school?
What is a charter management organization?
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Charter management organizations (CMOs) are nonprofit entities that manage two or more charter schools.
Is Grow Academy a private school?
Who authorizes charter schools?
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Charter schools have oversight from their authorizers (the local school district, county office of education, or State Board of Education). Authorizers review financial reports, have the authority to conduct audits, determine if the charter school should be renewed at the end of the charter school's term (usually every five years) and can revoke a charter school for violations of law, fiscal mismanagement, or if the school is not meeting pupil academic outcomes or the terms of its charter.
What makes Grow Public Schools unique?
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A focus on college readiness from Kindergarten, onward
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A blended learning model, tailored to the needs of each individual student
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An Edible Schoolyard Program, where students participate in hands-on experiences in garden and kitchen classrooms
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A Healthy School Lunch program, which incorporates fresh seasonal produce
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Project-based, hands-on learning
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Highly trained and credentialed teachers who love to teach
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Block schedule and teacher-teaming
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Enrichment programs, including art, music and physical education
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Access to the latest educational software and online programs in the Learning Lab
Who can attend Grow Academy?
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Grow Academy accepts all students, including English learners and students with special needs. If there are not enough available seats to meet the demand, the Academy will hold lotteries to enroll students, which is standard practice in California.
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As schools of choice, our charter schools are open to any student who wants to apply, regardless of where he or she lives, space permitting. Our schools do not have geographical limitations like many traditional public schools.
How are charter schools funded?
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In California, traditional district schools and charter public schools are funded under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) which allocates state and local tax dollars to public education agencies based on the number of pupils in each grade level. Additional funding is provided for students with high needs, such as low-income pupils and English learners. Public funding generally follows the student to the public school the parents choose, whether a charter school or a traditional district school. When charter schools are funded, there is no overall loss of public school money because charter schools are public schools.
Do teachers need to be qualified to work at a Grow Academy?
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As a charter school, we answer to all of the same standards as traditional public schools, including teacher credentialing. Our educators are highly qualified and passionate about their work.
More Information about the Charter School Movement
Learn more about charter schools in California
Learn more about charter schools in the U.S.
More Information about the Edible Education Movement
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A charter school is an independently run, non-sectarian/non-religious, tuition-free public school. They are open to any student who wishes to attend. Charter schools allow parents, teachers and the community to transform our public school system. Choice is a powerful tool for parents seeking access to quality education for their children.
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No. Grow Academy Arvin and Grow Academy Shafter are public schools. We do not charge tuition. Our schools are not private or religiously affiliated. Our schools are administered by a nonprofit foundation, the Grimm Family Education Foundation, and supported by a nonprofit charter management organization, Grow Public Schools.