Approved Charter Schools
| School | Academy for Science and Design Charter School 486 Amherst Street Nashua, NH 03063 (new location as of 8/23/12) |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 14, 2006 Opened: September 17, 2007 Renewal: January 16, 2013 |
| Description | Academy for Science and Design Charter School is geared toward students in grades 6-12 who are interested in pursuing careers in the math and sciences. Students in their junior and senior years will be able to major in a subject as they would in college. Among the choices: aeronautics and aviation, chemistry and biomedicine, and space, astronomy, and astronautics. |
| Contact(s) | Jennifer Cava, Director (603) 595-4705 Fax: (603) 262-9163 director@asdnh.org info@asdnh.org |
| School | Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy 1 Washington Center, Suite 555 Dover, NH 03820 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: May 19, 2004 Opened: January 24, 2005 Renewal: February 11, 2009 |
| Description | Arts and Technology, grades 9-12 Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy provides excellence in secondary education in fundamental academics and performing arts, fine arts and technology related to the arts creating an educational community where each student thrives, exploring personal interests in an atmosphere that encompasses different learning styles, individual learning opportunities, smaller class sizes and multiple methods of learning assessments. |
| Contact(s) | Christy Holmes, School Director (603) 742-0700 Fax: (603) 742-7207 cholmes@cochecoarts.org |
| School | CSI Charter School (Competencies, Skills and Interests) 26 Washington Street Penacook, NH 03303 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 1, 2007 Opened: September 17, 2007 Renewal: December 19, 2012 |
| Description | CSI Charter School serves high school students who are disengaged, have dropped out or have experienced life changing events who would benefit from an individualized program that meets their needs. The CSI Charter School uses academic competencies and work-based skills as the entry point for developing an individualized plan for each student which meets essential academic and work place competencies. Technology and integrated units help promote student interest, meet high academic standards and provide authentic opportunities to demonstrate competency. Students who meet the academic standards have shown an ability to transition to post secondary education or a work based setting. CSI Charter School is small, interest-centered and is well supported by technology and project-based learning. |
| Contact(s) | Jim Gorman, Administrator (603) 753-0194 Fax: (603) 753-6429 jgorman@mv.k12.nh.us |
| School | Great Bay eLearning Charter School 30 Linden Street Exeter, NH 03833 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: February 18, 2004 Opened: January 3, 2005 Renewal: May 13, 2009 |
| Description | Under-served students, grades 8-12 Great Bay eLearning Charter School (GBeCS) provides an alternative approach for educating students in grades 8-12 by emphasizing project-based learning in a smaller, flexible, supportive learning environment. A strong emphasis on writing across the curriculum and deliberate interdisciplinary connections among curriculum areas allow students to make logical connections and transfer knowledge among disciplines. GBeCS utilizes a strong faculty advisory program to ensure that all students have a significant adult monitoring their progress in addition to their teachers. While some “online” or web-based learning programs are utilized to supplement the core class experience, the school emphasizes an active classroom-based environment, a strong school community, and connections of students with their school through meaningful interactions among students and between students and their teachers. |
| Contact(s) | Cheryl McDonough, Executive Director cmcdonough@gbecs.org Peter Stackhouse, Executive Director pstackhouse@gbecs.org (603) 775-8638 Fax: (603) 775-8528 |
| School | Ledyard Charter School 22 School Street PO Box 327 Lebanon, NH 03766 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 14, 2007 Opened: February 2, 2009 |
| Description | Under-performing and/or disengaged students in grades 9-12 Ledyard Charter School prepares students for their futures, both academically and socially, in a rigorous academic program that stresses the importance of community and allows students to apply their learning in context. Ledyard provides opportunities for under-engaged students to re-focus on their strengths and interests and will provide highly motivating and relevant learning opportunities, much of which will be based in service learning in the community, internships, and a strong academic core. The school takes its name from John Ledyard, a curious and self-motivated Dartmouth College student who arrived at Dartmouth College in the Spring of 1772. He spent four summer months living (and learning) among the Iroquois as a college ambassador and became dissatisfied by the constraining academic offerings at Dartmouth upon his return to the college. He built his own canoe and paddled the length of the Connecticut River. He became an acclaimed world traveler, explorer, and a lifelong hands-on learner. |
| Contact(s) | Lynne Grigelevich, Executive Director (603) 727-4772 execdirectorlcs@gmail.com General email: Info@LedyardCharterSchool.net |
| School | Making Community Connections (MC²) Charter School |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 9, 2011 Opened to Students: September 4, 2012 |
| Description | Grades 6-12 |
| Contact(s) | Kim Carter, Chief Education Officer |
| School | Mill Falls Charter School 100 William Loeb Drive, Unit 1 Manchester, NH 03109 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 9, 2011 Opened to Students: August 29, 2012 |
| Description | New Hampshire’s first public Montessori school, grades K-3 |
| Contact(s) | Michael O'Neil, Head of School |
| School | Next Charter School 5 Hood Road Derry, NH 03038 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: June 20, 2012 Charter is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013 |
| Description | Next Charter High School, grades 9-12, will meet the needs of students not fully served within a traditional high school and will employ a system of instructional and assessment practices that values competency, inquiry, flexibility, and the social nature of learning so that all students will graduate and initiate post-secondary learning options. |
| Contact(s) | Joe Crawford, Co-Director
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| School | North Country Charter Academy 260 Cottage Street, Suite A Littleton, NH 03561 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: January 21, 2004 Opened: September 7, 2004 Renewal: April 8, 2009 |
| Description | Locations in Littleton & Lancaster North Country Charter Academy is designed to provide a learning environment for students who benefit from a non-traditional high school setting. Students who are, or may be, at risk of dropping out are provided an educational setting in which they can succeed in their pursuit of a high school diploma. NCCA serves students in grades 7-12 and enrolls up to 60 students in two centers divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Each session consists of two teachers with a maximum of 15 students. While the credits that are needed will be earned, student’s learning activities do not reflect a traditional school syllabus but are structured and competency based at an 80% completion rate while still focusing on individualization based on the student’s academic level. Students also participate in an organized Extended Learning Opportunity activity. |
| Contact(s) | Lisa Lavoie, Principal (603) 444-1535 Fax: (603) 444-9843 llavoie@nccharteracademy.org |
| School | PACE Career Academy Charter School Suncook Business Park 65 Pinewood Road Allenstown, NH 03275 |
| Status | Locally Authorized Charter School |
| Description | PACE Career Academy is dedicated to supporting students to partner in the design of their personal growth, academic and career paths with a goal of becoming an essential part of their community and family. The school uses state of the art technology, career internships and individualized independent study courses to allow students to work at their own pace towards high school graduation while becoming skilled workers and active community members. The school's goal is for every student to graduate from PACE Career Academy ready to enter the workforce or pursue higher education. |
| Contact(s) | Edie Allyn, Director (603) 210-1882 Fax: (603) 210-2341 eallyn@pacecareeracademy.org |
| School | Polaris Charter School 100 Coolidge Avenue Manchester, NH 03102 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: October 12, 2011 |
| Description | Polaris Charter School, located in the Greater Manchester Area, opened in September 2012 for intellectually curious children from five to eleven years old. Students are placed in multi-age classrooms designed to foster a joyful and exciting learning community. Program highlights include inquiry-based, project-oriented and inter-disciplinary curriculum. Students will develop the ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, think critically, and excel academically. The combination of personal learning plans, the development of social and emotional skills and a "move-on-when-ready" approach will instill a positive attitude about future studies and ensure students are well-prepared for the challenges of an ever-changing world. |
| Contact(s) | Jill Cane, Ed.D. Interim Director (603) 634-0034 j.cane@polarischarterschool.org |
| School | Robert Frost Charter School Physical address: 1675 White Mountain Highway North Conway, NH 03860 Mailing address: |
| Status | State Approved Charter: October 12, 2011 Opened to Students: September 4, 2012 |
| Description | Montessori tradition, grades 1-4 in multi-age classrooms Robert Frost Charter School creates life-long learners by providing an intellectually rich and challenging experience delivered through the combination of the Montessori tradition and project-based learning. In a safe and peaceful setting, dedicated educators foster students' individuality, creativity and critical-thinking skills to fully prepare them for future scholastic, civic and personal success. |
| Contact(s) | Jennifer Karnopp, Head of School |
| School | Seacoast Charter School 13 Church Street Kingston, NH 03848 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: August 20, 2003 Opened: September 7, 2004 Renewal: April 8, 2009 |
| Description | Core Academics and the Arts, grades K-8
Seacoast Charter School provides excellence in core academics and the Arts while cultivating the individual qualities and strengths of each child. Opportunities for creative expression and independent thinking are an integral part of their rigorous academic program. The combination of challenging intellectual and artistic endeavors develops the students' hearts and minds and enables them to live more fully in the world. |
| Contact(s) | Roberta Mantione, Head of School (603) 642-8400 Fax: (603) 642-8404 roberta@seacoastcharterschool.org |
| School | Strong Foundations Charter School 715 Riverwood Drive Pembroke, NH 03275 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 14, 2006 Opened: August 29, 2007 Renewal: June 8, 2011 |
| Description | Strong Foundations Charter School (SFCS) serves grades K-8. A rich, challenging curriculum and a focus on early literacy using the Orton-Gillingham approach define the academic curriculum.
Technology is integrated into the day at Strong Foundations. Students have access to 1:1 computing using iPads for research, word processing, and skills practice. Student-safe internet filters and a powerful network create a school-friendly internet environment. Every classroom has a projection system that teachers can use for whole-group instruction. The cornerstone of Strong Foundations’ approach to building reading decoding skills is the Orton-Gillingham approach. Once thought to be limited to a specialized segment of the student population, its effectiveness has been demonstrated across all student populations. Orton-Gillingham (O.G.) promotes direct instruction in the structure of the English language for reading and spelling. At the early levels, teachers use O.G. to teach basic sound-symbol relationships of English. At more advanced levels, students are taught morphology, including prefixes, suffixes, and Greek and Latin roots as well as all the spelling rules. As a Friend of Core Knowledge©, SFCS adopted the Core Knowledge curriculum in 2008. Students at Strong Foundations learn about American and World History, Geography, Literature, Science, Art, and Music at advanced levels. This builds the children’s background knowledge and cultural literacy. Reading comprehension is increased as a result. The Scope and Sequence of the Core Knowledge curriculum can be downloaded at: www.coreknowledge.org. Teachers are New Hampshire certified and undergo training in Orton-Gillingham, Core Knowledge, and Responsive Classroom© in order to teach at Strong Foundations. SFCS staff forms a connection with students and families as individuals, striving to provide an exemplary education for the children who attend Strong Foundations Charter School. |
| Contact(s) | Beth McClure, Principal (603) 225-2715 Fax (603) 225-2738 bmcclure@sfnh.org |
| School | Surry Village Charter School 449 Route 12A Surry, NH 03431-8106 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: March 14, 2006 Opened: September 5, 2006 Renewal: August 10, 2011 |
| Description | Surry Village Charter School is an elementary charter school serving grades K–8 in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. Surry Village Charter School (SVCS) provides a challenging and rigorous education for children in an environment that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, community, diversity, service, and leadership. Students will be academically and socially prepared to meet the demands of further education while maturing into productive and caring adults with a lifelong passion for learning. Children learn the basics of reading, writing and math and experience science and social studies through projects that emphasize everyday skills such as cooking, canning, knitting, gardening, and woodworking. Music and the arts is integrated into the curriculum. SVCS seeks to foster the development of individuals and their connection to communities of the school, the region, the world, and the natural environment. This is achieved through the development and implementation of a social curriculum, project-based learning, place/community-based learning and practical arts. |
| Contact(s) | Dr. Matora Fiorey, Director (603) 357-9700 Fax: (603) 357-9701 matora@surryvillagecharterschool.org |
| School | TEAMS Charter School (Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Science) 26 Washington Street Penacook, NH 03303 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: June 8, 2011 Opened to Students: September 4, 2012 |
| Description | Grades 9-12 TEAMS Charter School will expand opportunities for all students, offering a sound college prep program with a career focus. Concurrent with this mission is the articulated pathway into a certificate program, NHTI or four year college enhanced by early exposure to careers. TEAMS serves the student who is not achieving in the typical classroom setting and, for a variety of reasons, may be educationally disadvantaged. |
| Contact(s) | George Rogers, Director (603) 753-4022 Fax: (603) 753-6429 george.rogers@teamsnh.org |
| School | The Birches Academy of Academics & Art: A Public Charter School 419 South Broadway, 2nd Floor Salem, NH 03079 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: January 18, 2012 Opened to Students: September 4, 2012 |
| Description | The Birches Academy provides a learning community that supports excellence in core academics and the Arts while cultivating the individual qualities and strengths of each child. In September 2012, The Birches Academy opened with four multi-aged classrooms in grades 1-8. Expansion into kindergarten and additional classrooms will be added in future years. |
| Contact(s) | Dr. Dael Angelico-Hart, Head of School General email: information@birchesacademy.org |
| School | Virtual Learning Academy Charter School 30 Linden Street Exeter, NH 03833 |
| Status | State Approved Charter: May 9, 2007 Opened: January 2008 Renewal: November 21, 2012 |
| Description | The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) uses new and emerging distance learning technologies to provide any time any where access to a rigorous personalized education that helps students learn today, graduate tomorrow, and prepare for the future. The educational mission of VLACS integrates the philosophy of the New Hampshire Department of Education's Follow the Child initiative with the power of distance learning technologies. VLACS meets the needs of a wide variety of students and fosters 21st century skills such as global awareness, self-directed learning skills, information and communications technology literacy, problem-solving skills, time management, and personal responsibility. The flexible scheduling of VLACS courses meet the needs of non-traditional students as they design alternative learning plans to meet their unique needs. The school offers programming to both full-time and part-time students. |
| Contact(s) | Kyle Cote, Director of Guidance & Student Services kcote@vlacs.org Ollire Lane-Wortley, Director of Academic Support & Professional Development olanewortley@vlacs.org Scott Prescott, Director of Instruction sprescott3@vlacs.org (603) 778-2500 Fax: (866) 651-5038 |
| Special Considerations | Commissioner’s Task Force report on the Virtual Learning Academy Charter (VLAC) state funding report  |
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New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street | Concord, NH | 03301-3494
Telephone: (603) 271-3494 | TDD Access: Relay NH 711