The Next Step Public Charter School

Programs: The charter school offers to its currently enrolled 393 students, the support, knowledge and skills they need to succeed academically and professionally. The charter school offers adult basic education and ged preparation in english and spanish as well as english for speakers of other languages (esol) to district youth between the ages of 16 and 24. The charter school offers a full-time day program and a part-time night program, which runs from september through august, enrolling three times each year. The charter school has a robust student support service department and career and life skills program to complement the academic program. Tnspcs provides a safe and nurturing environment that supports students and their families and uses restorative practices from classroom to principal's office. The charter school's curriculum is based on the common core standards. Teachers individualize instruction to help students achieve their academic goals at their own pace. The charter school places students by skill level, rather than age or grade, and promotes students according to their progress. When students complete their program of study, the charter school college and career readiness program assists students and alumni with continued education and career planning. Services adult basic education - tnspcs offers literacy, numeracy and other academic content at all levels of ability to students, in both english and spanish, with placement based upon pre-tests. Ged preparation - the charter school offers students who test above the 8th grade level the preparation, guidance and support necessary to pass the exam to attain the general education development (ged) certificate in english or spanish. Students in day and night school study ged content and skills in their classes, and must pass a preliminary practice test before they take the official exam. The charter school offers financial assistance to those students who pass the practice test when they register for the official ged. English language learners - the charter school offers esol classes to english language learners (ells) in day and night school. Students learn the language skills that will enable them to navigate effectively within their school, their community, and the wider world. Life skills - the charter school offers interactive workshops addressing sexual health education, substance abuse, financial literacy, immigration and cultural adaptation, and community involvement. Teachers encourage students to develop their abilities in such academic life skills as goal- setting, organization, initiative and self-advocacy, independent work and collaboration within each class. College and career readiness - the ccr program is designed to help charter school students and alumni make and implement short and long-term plans for post-secondary and vocational paths. Two full-time ccr specialists provide workshops on job readiness skills (resume-writing, interviewing, etc. ), manage the dual enrollment program whereby students take courses at two local colleges while enrolled at tnspcs and offer guidance on college, employment and vocations, as well as help students access financial resources to continue their education. Student support services - case managers complete an in-depth needs assessment of each student to evaluate what social, physical and emotional supports will enable the student to grow academically. Every student is assigned a case manager when they enroll at the next step. The department is made up of social workers, case managers, attendance and transportation coordinators and a resource and enrichment coordinator. Each of these service providers works with students individually and collectively to identify any areas of their psychosocial functioning that require support. Tutoring program/volunteers - both paid and volunteer tutors are an essential part of the charter school program, and their involvement allows individualized instruction for students, enabling students to progress at their own pace. Tutors work during the day and night school as classroom aides, or as one-on-one tutors with students in the following subjects: esol, reading and language arts, and math. Bilingual tutors are also available. Food program - the charter school provides a free breakfast, lunch and dinner program in accordance with federal law and the u. S. Department of agriculture (usda) policy. Vision at the next step public charter school, we envision a school for students where their past does not dictate their future. We envision students empowered to be independent self-advocates, who speak up for themselves and their families with clarity and knowledge. We envision students who are confident and self-disciplined in pursuing their own goals. We envision students who can work independently yet collaborate with diverse groups of people. We envision students who are not just recipients of instruction, but rather active participants in their education. We envision the next step public charter school as a community of students, teachers, staff, and parents who agree to listen to each other, to support each other, to hold each other to high expectations, to speak truth with confidence, and to view differences as a catalyst for creativity. We envision a school where kindness and structure go hand in hand. We envision a school that maintains its delicate balance of high expectations for our students and relentless support in meeting those expectations. We envision a world where all students, regardless of background, race, or status have the opportunity to further their education and to plan for future accomplishment rather than be marginalized by past failure. We envision a world where students who face extraordinary challenges are regarded as indispensable and inspiring members of society.