Education

Where choice has resulted in Thirteen Years of Positive Student Gains, Satisfied Families and the Observable Benefits to a Content-Rich Educational Approach

Mike Munier and Rachel (2nd grader)

In the summer and fall of 1993, a group of parents, in the northern portion of Jefferson County, convened with the sole purpose of investigating an alternative choice for their children's education. These meetings and the ensuing process were encouraged by the passage of the "Charter School Act" by the Colorado State Legislature. It was the desire of this group of parents to establish a school with a content rich, fundamental, traditional, "back-to-knowledge" learning environment. Thus, was the founding of Jefferson Academy.

Jefferson Academy is entering its fourteenth year of operation. The school was approved by the Jefferson County School Board in May of 1994 after going through an appeal process with the Colorado State Board of Education. The first actual day of operation was August 29, 1994, only two and one half months after the charter's approval. The school is housed in the facility previously known as Juchem Elementary in Broomfield as well as two buildings that were added to accommodate the secondary school. The school serves 750 students, kindergarten through twelfth grade. There is a substantial waiting list of well over 1,000 students. Jefferson Academy added its junior high program in 1996 and its high school program 1999.

Jefferson Academy emphasizes the teaching of basic skills through a traditional and conventional approach, in a self-contained educational environment. Our academically oriented program is organized so that the entire class generally works as a single group on grade level material with ability grouping occurring where necessary. Emphasis is placed on the basic foundations necessary for an academically sound education: reading, mathematics, English, grammar, geography, history, government, spelling, fine arts, physical education and science. We utilize the Core Knowledge Sequence in grades K-8. Homework is assigned on a regular basis with the goal of strengthening and/or enriching daily work.

It is the goal of the Secondary program to build upon the solid foundation of the Core Knowledge Sequence that has been established by the elementary curriculum. With that in mind, the secondary school program continues the content-rich, academically aggressive approach to education, with an intention to "prepare students for the rigors of college." At the center of this curriculum is an approach to liberal arts education that we call the "coordinated humanities" in which the faculty correlate and attempt to integrate a student's studies in history and geography, the English language and literature. The secondary school has fulfilled the interpreted mission and vision of Jefferson Academy by implementing an A/B block system in junior high and a modified (4x4) block schedule in the senior high.

The curriculum of Jefferson Academy is structured to focus on specific content, giving specific results. Integration of a wide range of disciplines and a focus on a specific range of core knowledge has led Jefferson Academy to specific content standards in each subject area that exceed the state and district content standards. These content standards will allow students to experience success as students and citizens.

So, what has this profited us? Clearly, improved achievement and success!

The elementary school has received numerous awards and recognitions. It has been sited as a John Irwin Colorado School of Excellence three different years and received an "Excellent" rating on the 2003-04 CDE School Accountability Report (top 12% in State CSAP). Currently, the elementary school has a High Accountability Ranking and has always been within the top sixteen percent (16%) of all elementary schools in Colorado. The elementary school was honored this year as one of the top 50 charter schools in the United States by the Center for Education Reform of Washington D.C.

Our high school received an "Excellent" rating for the 2004-05 school year and both the Junior High and High Schools have never received a rating below the "High" ratings on the CDE School Accountability Report. Both schools have always been in the top 15% of all junior high and high schools within the state.

Jefferson County Public Schools has given all three schools "Accredited/High Performing" accreditation reviews.

Many of our students have participated and have been successful in state spelling and geography bees and award winning art exhibitions. Two of our students have qualified for the Boettcher scholarship program and one of them progressed to the semi-final round. Our boys and girls basketball teams have consistently competed and won league and state titles in the 2A division. The boy's basketball team has earned two state titles at the 2A division. Many students participate in activities outside the school day (e.g. scouting, student council, national honor society etc.). Over seventy percent of our high school students participate in some leadership or athletic capacity within the school. These groups serve our school community through their projects and programs.

Additionally, granting organizations have awarded Jefferson Academy in excess of $1,150,000 over the last thirteen years often noting that they want to help with the incredible success that has taken place to this point.

Choice, by way of a charter school, has certainly influenced the attitude and culture of our school. Over the years, I have had many educators express, (with a bit of disdain), that they could be successful too if they had families and children who were committed to their school. I agree and it supports our view of what should be taking place in American education, in the first place. When parents and students have choices, they tend to choose quite well and are generally satisfied. At Jefferson Academy the following data bear this out:

• Volunteer activity has been amazing. Our parent volunteers are an integral part of the school day to help in many areas within the classrooms. Our volunteers log their hours each time they come to help at the school. Average parent hours: 15,000 + per year.
• Student satisfaction: Per our confidential parent and student survey, ninety-seven percent (97%) of our students like coming to Jefferson Academy and feel they are appreciated, understood, and cared for by the staff of all three schools.
• Parent satisfaction: Per the confidential parent surveys, Jefferson Academy families are quite happy with the schools. Ninety-seven to ninety-nine percent agree or strongly agree that Jefferson Academy meets the needs of their child.
• The mobility rate has been 1% (elementary) and 3 %(secondary). Most of the transfers out of the school have been due to relocation by the families. When they choose to come to JA, they usually stay.
• The living curriculum (our wonderful staff) is sincerely committed to the families and vision of the school. Many of the original teaching staff is still happily employed at the school even though MANY could reap a better salary somewhere else.
• Attendance rates have averaged well over 97% over our thirteen years...

Is the population diverse?

Almost 9% of the students Jefferson Academy serves have special needs (individual educational plans). Jefferson Academy does not screen out children with these special needs. We serve them diligently with the full compliment of services.

Although our free and reduced count averages only seven percent, fifty-seven percent (57%) of our families earn $50,000 or less per year in family income. Thirty-three percent (33%) earn between $50,000 and $75,000 in overall household income. JA is certainly not an overly affluent community. Ten percent (10%) of our students represent the minority community. This figure is nearly parallel with the surrounding schools in the north Jeffco area, which average 13%.

Has choice worked in our neck of the woods?

As you can see, we have been very fortunate over the years and we think the answer to the question above is, YES! Choice has provided an environment for growth, cooperation and overall success. Our parent board has done a superb job governing the school and has allowed the administration, faculty and the staff to install the vision and mission in an effective way. This whole experience has been quite a ride. I do not think there is a person in our building that would have wanted to do it any other way!

About Mike Munier

Mike Munier has been involved with the charter school movement for fourteen years.  Mr. Munier is the founding principal of Jefferson Academy Charter School, recently recognized as one of the top 53 charter schools in the United States by the Center for Education Reform.

Mike was schooled in California and received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton and his Master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from the University of California.

Mike has worked as a business administrator and principal for over twenty-four years.  Mr. Munier has also served as a Regional Service Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Education and as a Core Knowledge Regional Director.

Mr. Munier was a founding board member of the Colorado League of Charter Schools and served on the board for ten years as its secretary as well as its treasurer.