November 6, 2007

South Bay Preparatory seeks charter approval from
Campbell Union High School District

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

Board members and sup-porters of South Bay Preparatory [SBP], an emerging public school, attended a public hearing at Campbell Union High School District [CUHSD] on Oct. 18. A petition was submitted Oct. 4.

Supporters of SBP attending a CUHSD public hearing on Oct. 18 include, from the left, EdVisions Schools National Dirctor Kathleen O’Sullivan, SBP board president Coleen Wagner, SBP lead petitioner Felicia Gershberg, Ph.D, SBP board member Chris Duckering and SBP board member Vicky Gray-Clark. Photo by Jeanne C. Carbone

“SBP is designed to accommodate individual students’ needs—their gaps in learning, their different learning styles, their varied abilities and their individual interests in a small, supportive environment,” said SBP lead petitioner Dr. Felicia Gershberg,.

“During our recent signature gathering efforts, we were thrilled to obtain signatures from more than 300 interested parents in the area, representing approximately 540 students, well over the 100 signature minimum required to be able to submit a charter,” added Gershberg.

SBP was founded in March 2005 by a group of parents within the CUHSD seeking to address their concern for an alternative to the middle and high schools in the area. They presented a petition to CUHSD, but were denied on the basis that the charter school didn’t have a high school level planned curriculum.

Earlier this year SBP joined the national network of EdVisions Schools, a nationally recognized, non-profit organization funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that creates and supports schools with an innovative education model. EdVisions Schools approach to education prepares students for college, careers, and global citizenship with an emphasis on personalized, project-based learning in a small school and small class environment.

“We have 35 schools at this time,” said EdVisions Schools National Director Kathleen O’Sullivan. “SBP would be the first school in the Bay Area. We are very excited.”

Any student in California may apply to the emerging SBP, which is a tax-exempt, non-profit, free public school. It will be a student-centered, grade 6-12 school with individualized learning plans and a focus on mastery and project-based learning.

Students will prepare for college with personalized learning and support, graduation requirements meeting or exceeding UC requirements and a small school environment with low student-to-teacher ratios. SBP is committed to prepare students to live in a rapidly evolving, high-tech, global society.

“I’m very excited about SBP,” said SBP board member Vicky Gray-Clark at the public hearing. “SBP will be a school effective for gifted, struggling or students who need special attention. I hope you approve it.”

One by one board members and interested parents, some with the children in tow, urged CUHSD to approve the charter for SBP. Coleen Wagner, SBP board president was pleased that the CUHSD board members “seemed open” and said that they are looking for locations for the school site with an opening in the fall of 2008.

“Nothing thrills me more about having a discussion about education,” said CUHSD board of trustees’ member Dianne Gordon. “Every board member and the superintendent have the petition for review. We will be evaluating it.”

The final decision from the CUHSD Board is expected at the regularly scheduled Dec. 6 meeting.

For more information on SBP, everyone is invited to attend the informational meeting on Monday, Nov. 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Santa Clara Library, Mission Branch, 1098 Lexington Street, Santa Clara. Kathleen O’Sullivan from EdVisions Schools will also be in attendance to answer questions.

Potential charter school committed to 10 common principles

South Bay Prep is committed to following the 10 common principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools, a nationwide school reform organization. These ten principles are:

1. Learning to use one’s mind well

2. Less is more, depth over coverage

3. Goals apply to all students

4. Personalization

5. Student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach

6. Demonstration of mastery

7. A tone of decency and trust

8. Commitment to the entire school

9. Resources dedicated to teaching and learning

10. Democracy and equity