May 10, 2005
Contact: Luci Willits (208) 332-1591

COMMISSION TO CONSIDER
GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

BOISE - The Idaho Charter School Commission will review a petition for a new charter school in Garden City at its meeting Thursday, May 12 at Boise State University.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m. in the Lookout Room. Commissioners will also consider amendments to the Idaho Virtual Academy and Liberty Charter School’s charters. A workshop on the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) will also be presented to Commissioners.

Under Idaho law, school districts or the Idaho Charter School Commission can authorize charter schools. All petitions must go before the local school district first and the district can make the choice to hear the petition or forward it to the Commission. The Boise School District chose to forward the Garden City Community School petition directly to the Commission. This is the school’s first appearance before the Commission. The school would serve 210 students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and hopes to open in 2006. The school will provide an individualized education system focusing on the four “R”s - respect, resourcefulness, responsibility and responsiveness. Children will also be grouped by knowledge and ability into units known as “seasons” instead of traditional grade levels.

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