Two Roads Charter School January 2015 Application for Amendment to Charter
Jefferson County School District R-1
Two Roads Application for Amendment to Charter
1
Application for Amendment to Charter Jefferson County School District R-1
January 2015
6980 Pierce Street, Arvada CO 80003 303-423-3377
Two Roads Charter School Application for Amendment to Charter—January 2015
Jefferson County School District R-1
STATEMENT OF CHANGE & EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT
REQUESTED CHANGE #1—Adding Full Time 6th
Grade To Our Current Middle School
Program
Two Roads Charter School has experienced great success in our full time 7th
-12th
grade program,
and we are confident we will continue to do so. Therefore, we are applying to amend our charter
to include 6th
grade full time students as an addition to our middle school program. We know
that the addition of full time 6th
grade students will be a positive change for our school and a
great benefit to our current families and new families in our community.
Over the past few years, multiple parents from our homeschool population have asked us to
consider opening full time elementary classes—especially at the 6th
grade level. Communication
from parents is very clear that they would rather homeschool than have their students attend a
large local middle school. Presently we offer a homeschool option program for our K-6th
grade
elementary students. As students age, parents find it more and more difficult to homeschool them
(subject matter becomes more difficult to teach). Families have asked us for some time now to
consider adding 6th
grade as a full time option.
An informal review of data gathered from families enrolling in TRCS during the 2014-2015
school year indicated several of our families who enrolled a middle or high school student also
had an interest in enrolling a full time 6th
grade student if we had a full-time 6th
grade option. An
additional informal survey of our own staff demonstrated overwhelming support for the new full
time grade level, not only as employees, but also as the school for which they have chosen to
enroll their own children.
Finally, two schools in Arvada (Meiklejohn and West Woods) have considered moving their 6th
grade students up to the local middle schools to allow growth in their elementary K-5th
grades.
We have been contacted by a few of these families asking if we have full time 6th
grade students
as a part of our middle school program. They are nervous about the local middle school option
for their children. They are asking Two Roads to provide an alternative option for their children.
Because Two Roads naturally provides small class sizes (no larger than 22) and individual
attention to students, families feel their 6th
grade students will find success in our environment.
We are excited to offer this option to our families. This continued growth is powerful evidence
in support of the need for viable alternative options for Jeffco middle school students.
REQUESTED CHANGE #2—Adding A Full Time Elementary Program for Full Time
Athletes.
Two Roads Charter School would also like to apply to expand our charter to include full time
elementary grades for full time athletes as an addition to our current elementary homeschool
program. Currently the district has hundreds of full time athletes with little educational options
outside of homeschooling. Because Two Roads specializes in the unique, we are confident that
we can meet these athletes’ needs in our individualized environment. We will adhere to State
Statute 22-33-104 on compulsory school attendance:
Two Roads Charter School January 2015 Application for Amendment to Charter
Jefferson County School District R-1
Two Roads Application for Amendment to Charter
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Every child shall attend public school for at least the following number of hours during
each school year:
1. One thousand fifty-six hours if a secondary school pupil
2. Nine hundred sixty-eight hours if a elementary school pupil in a grade other than
kindergarten
3. Nine hundred hours if a full-day kindergarten pupil
4. Four hundred fifty hours if a half day kindergarten pupil
We will also follow the Jeffco Public School calendar, the Common Core Standards, provide
intensive instruction, and set high standards for every student.
A few months into the 2014-2015 school year Two Roads was approached by parents whose
children attend the 5280 Gymnastics Program. These families have asked if we can provide a
full time program centered around their children’s long gym days (some of these gym families
are currently a part of our homeschooling program). Two Roads recognizes the unique needs of
student gymnasts (and other student athletes such as hockey players, dancers, etc.) and
recognizes the need of a quality education that maximizes student training and family time. Two
Roads Charter School has also met with Jeffco Achievement Director, Tim Matlick, to explore
the option of working with full time athletes in the Jeffco Public School District.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Two Roads Charter School’s original charter was approved in the spring of 2010. Since then, the
school has operated successfully, and we are currently in strong financial condition. The full
History and Background can be located in the original Two Roads Charter Application or the
renewal application that was submitted to the district in 2014.
VISION AND MISSION
TRCS Vision
Two Roads Charter School is a highly sought after program providing rigorous
academics addressing the unique educational needs of traditional and homeschooled
students; all students are empowered to develop confidence, define their future and
achieve their highest potential.
Through Two Roads, students will be provided:
Small class sizes
Flexibility to enroll in our full time or homeschool program
Opportunities for high academics and character achievement
Critical thinking, collaborative and 21st Century instructional formats
Early access to college courses and/or career exploration
Environment that is responsive to a student’s unique abilities, gifts and challenges
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TRCS Mission
Two Roads Charter School achieves its vision using 21st Century Learning employing
and valuing critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Homeschooled and traditionally schooled students are challenged in a rigorous
academic environment to reach their highest potential.
Creating a school to accommodate our extraordinarily diverse community is an act of
continual renewal and adaptation. Over the years we have reviewed and revised our
Vision and Mission to capture the evolving essence of what makes Two Roads such an
original school. Our Vision and Mission statements convey the understanding that our
community is united in its appreciation for a critical thinking and collaborative learning
instructional format, the flexibility to enroll full or part-time, small class sizes, and an
environment that is responsive to every student’s abilities, gifts, and challenges. Our role
is to recognize and support each student’s unique definition of success and to fully
prepare him or her for post-secondary life. This includes providing a seamless transition
between high school and college, offering opportunities for early access to college and
vocational courses, instruction in life skills like money management and living
independently, and targeted guidance in career exploration.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
A full time 6th
grade middle school education at Two Roads Charter School will be designed to
prepare students to move successfully out of elementary and into middle school. Both options
will include small class sizes, the use of widely available curriculum and classroom resources
and an environment that is safe, orderly and accessible. Additional details about the practical
and philosophical aspects of education at Two Roads Charter School are described in our
original Two Roads High School charter application and in our renewal application.
Courses and Curricula
FOR REQUESTED CHANGE #1:
Middle School Core Courses:
Language Arts Texts:
Write Source 2000; Houghton Mifflin
Write Source 2000 Skills Book; Houghton Mifflin
Vocabulary Workshop, Level A; Sadlier-Oxford
Realms of Gold, Volume 1; Core Knowledge Foundation
Junior Great Books, Series 6; Great Books Foundation
Class novels selected from: Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine; Island of the Blue
Dolphins, Scott O’Dell; Trumpet of the Swam, E.B. White; Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli;
Wonder, R.J. Palacio, and A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle
Math Text:
Two Roads Charter School January 2015 Application for Amendment to Charter
Jefferson County School District R-1
Two Roads Application for Amendment to Charter
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Saxon Math 76, An Incremental Development; Hake Saxon
Science Text:
Scott Foresman Science; Pearson
Social Studies Text:
People, Places, and Change, An Introduction to World Studies, Holt
Middle School Non-Core Courses: Advisement, Study Skills, Technology, Physical Education,
Music, Art, Yearbook, Theater, and other Electives
The TRCS Secondary Planning Guide outlines the specific courses and curricula that have been
planned.
According to state law, secondary students must log 1,056 hours of “seat time” per year to be
considered full-time. Study halls, passing periods and planning times cannot be included in this
calculation. Under the Two Roads Charter School schedule, a student enrolled in the required 4
core and 3 elective courses will accumulate beyond this minimum hours of seat time per year.
FOR REQUESTED CHANGE #2:
Elementary School Core Courses: Science, Math, English, and Social Studies
1st Grade
Language Arts Grade 1 Texts:
Write Source, Write One; Houghton Mifflin
Write One Skills Book; Houghton Mifflin
Junior Great Books, Pegasus and Sun Series; Great Books Foundation
Math Grade 1 Text:
Saxon Math 1; Hake Saxon
Science Grade 1 Text:
Scott Foresman Science; Pearson
Social Studies Grade 1 Text:
Pearson Learning Core Knowledge, History & Geography 1, Pearson Learning
Group
2nd
Grade
Language Arts Grade 2 Texts:
Write Source, Write Away; Houghton Mifflin
Write Away Skills Book; Houghton Mifflin
Junior Great Books, Series 2; Great Books Foundation
Math Grade 2 Text:
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Saxon Math 2; Hake Saxon
Science Grade 2 Text:
Scott Foresman Science; Pearson
Social Studies Grade 2 Text:
Pearson Learning Core Knowledge, History & Geography 2, Pearson Learning
Group
3rd
Grade
Language Arts Grade 3 Texts:
Write Source, Write On Track; Houghton Mifflin
Write On Track Skills Book; Houghton Mifflin
Junior Great Books, Series 3; Great Books Foundation
Math Grade 3 Text:
Saxon Math 3; Hake Saxon
Science Grade 3 Text:
Scott Foresman Science; Pearson
Social Studies Grade 3 Text:
Pearson Learning Core Knowledge, History & Geography 3, Pearson Learning
Group
4th
Grade
Language Arts Grade 4 Texts:
Write Source, Writer’s Express; Houghton Mifflin
Writer’s Express Skills Book; Houghton Mifflin
Junior Great Books, Series 4; Great Books Foundation
Class novels
Math Grade 4 Text:
Saxon Math 54, An Incremental Development; Hake Saxon
Science Grade 4 Text:
Scott Foresman Science; Pearson
Social Studies Grade 4 Text:
Pearson Learning Core Knowledge, History & Geography 4, Pearson Learning
Group
5th
Grade
Language Arts Grade 5 Texts:
Write Source, Writer’s Express; Houghton Mifflin
Two Roads Charter School January 2015 Application for Amendment to Charter
Jefferson County School District R-1
Two Roads Application for Amendment to Charter
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Writer’s Express Skills Book; Houghton Mifflin
Junior Great Books, Series 5; Great Books Foundation
Class novels
Math Grade 5 Text:
Saxon Math 65, An Incremental Development; Hake Saxon
Science Grade 5 Text:
Scott Foresman Science; Pearson
Social Studies Grade 5 Text:
Pearson Learning Core Knowledge, History & Geography 5, Pearson Learning
Group
Elementary School Non-Core Course Options: Technology, Physical Education, Music, Art,
Drama, and other Electives
According to state law, elementary students must log 968 hours of “seat time” per year to be
considered full-time. Passing periods and planning times cannot be included in this calculation.
Under the Two Roads Charter School schedule, a student enrolled in the required core and
elective courses will accumulate this minimum required Jeffco hours of seat time per year.
Calendar
Elementary and newly added 6th
grade middle school students will follow a similar Jefferson
County Public School calendar.
Two Roads Homeschool Students
Two Roads Homeschool will continue to offer our K-12th
grade homeschooling students the
same range of classes and support as are currently offering. This information can be found on the
tworoadscharter.org website.
PLAN FOR PUPIL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Full-time elementary and 6th
grade middle school students will be expected to comply with state
testing and assessment requirements, and test results will be reported in accordance with state
law. The school’s administrators and special education coordinator will manage all testing efforts
and track and maintain the status of testing on all students.
During the course of the year, several methods will be used to evaluate and report student
performance including report cards, regular testing in all classes, and teacher/parent/student
conferences.
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On our most recent TCAP testing, Two Roads received a PERFORMANCE rating.
Types of Assessments
Two Roads Charter School believes that standardized assessments offer one lens through which
to evaluate student academic progress and ability. Therefore, the school will administer several
standardized assessments. In addition to the required state assessments, Two Roads utilizes
MAP (Measure of Academic Performance) testing for all students. The immediate feedback
obtained from this assessment drives teacher instruction.
In addition, teachers will use a variety of other assessment methods to more precisely determine
students’ progress towards meeting class objectives and benchmarks. These may include, but are
not limited to: written objective examinations, essay examinations, essays, oral examinations,
research projects and contributions to small group projects and presentations.
Timeline
Standardized assessments will be managed according to the following annual schedule:
Newly enrolling students will be tested prior to the start of the school year in order to
identify proper placement and/or need for remediation.
Up to three times annually, students will be tested utilizing a formative assessment
program MAP, through the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association), to provide
incremental data to adjust classroom instruction.
Late fall - Test results obtained, baseline established and results reported to the family,
the student’s faculty advisor, the District and the State.
Spring – CMAS
Early Fall – CMAS test results obtained and disseminated.
BUDGET AND FINANCE
Two Roads Charter School is in a strong financial position at this time. We had a healthy carry-
forward at the end of the 2013-3014 school year (see table below), and we are in good standing
with the District. We paid off the final installment of our loan from the District in October of
2014. Since initially borrowing money from the District we have been building a reserve and
working diligently to be in a positive place financially. To view our current financial statements
please refer to our website at tworoadscharter.org. Also, the table below shows a comparison
between last year’s and this year’s financials.
To add a full time elementary and 6th
grade middle school program Two Roads will need to hire
a minimum of three additional teachers (at approximately $31,000 a piece). Other classes can be
Two Roads Charter School January 2015 Application for Amendment to Charter
Jefferson County School District R-1
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filled with current teachers. Adding 22 additional 6th
grade and up to 90 elementary students will
more than offset the expense of hiring teachers.
Prior Year 2013-14
For Period Ending December 31, 2013
General Fund Annual
Budget
Actual Percentage of
Budget
Beginning Fund
Bal
101,370.22 101,370.22 100
Revenue 2,740,343.00 1,405,705.10 51
Expenditures 2,777,998.00 1,285,641.01 46
Ending Fund Bal 63,715.00
221,434.31 348
Capital Funds Annual
Budget
Actual Percentage of
Budget
Beginning Fund
Bal
10,000.00 10,000.00 100
Revenue 29,920.00 19,658.88 66
Expenditures 29,920.00 0 0
Ending Fund Bal 10,000.00 29,658.88 297
Title II Grant Annual
Budget
Actual Percentage of
Budget
Beginning Fund
Bal
4795.00 4795.00 100
Revenue 0 0 0
Expenditures 4795.00 1610.30 34
Ending Fund Bal 0 3184.70
Current Year 2014-15
For Period Ending December 31, 2014
General Fund Annual
Budget
Actual Percentage
of Budget
Beginning Fund
Bal
217,738.02 217,738.02 100
Revenue 3,006,519.40 1,655,380.33 55
Expenditures 2,861,478.61 1,389,355.41 49
Ending Fund Bal 362,778.81 483,762.94 134
Capital Funds Annual Actual Percentage
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Budget of Budget
Beginning Fund
Bal
10,000.00 10,000.00 100
Revenue 59,412.80 32,486.59 55
Expenditures 59,412.80 0 0
Ending Fund Bal 10,000.00 42,486.59 425
Title II Grant Annual
Budget
Actual Percentage
of Budget
Beginning Fund
Bal
4795.00 4795.00 100
Revenue 0 0 0
Expenditures 4795.00 394.44 9
Ending Fund Bal 0 4400.56
TRANSPORTATION
For our new full time 6th
grade students, transportation to and from campus in a manner that
ensures the student’s ability to attend classes on time and from start to finish is the sole
responsibility of the student and his/her family.
For our full time athletes, students from the 5280 gym will be transported to our Arvada or
Littleton locations via 5280 gym vans. 5280 has two gym locations—both gym locations close
to our Arvada and Littleton campuses. The gym owner has agreed to transport her gym students
to our school. Full time athletes, other than the 5280 gym students, must be transported to and
from school by family or friends. Two Roads Charter School does not provide any public
transportation for its students.
PLAN FOR ADDRESSING SPECIAL NEEDS OR AT-RISK STUDENTS
Full time elementary or 6th
grade middle school students of all ability levels and backgrounds
will be welcome at Two Roads Charter School. The addition of a full time elementary and 6th
middle school program will entail expanding existing policies and procedures to accommodate
our newly added students. Please refer to this section of the Two Roads charter application for
complete information.
ENROLLMENT POLICY
Two Roads Charter School January 2015 Application for Amendment to Charter
Jefferson County School District R-1
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Enrollment of full-time elementary athletes and 6th
grade middle school students will follow the
Jeffco Public Schools District policies.
SOURCE OF PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Two Roads Charter School expects to draw full time athletes and 6th
grade middle school
students from the following sources:
o Our current Two Roads homeschool program
o Homeschool students looking for a full time 6th
grade option from both in and out of the
District
o Students currently attending the 5280 Gymnastics program (at both locations)
o Full time athletes in the district who are looking for a different option
o Wait-listed students from elementary charter schools in the area, including Excel
Academy, Lincoln Academy, Woodrow Wilson Academy and Manning Jr. High.
FACILITY
Full time 6th
grade middle school students of Two Roads Charter School will occupy the same
Arvada facility as is currently utilized for 7th
-12th
grade Two Roads full time students and K-12th
grade Two Roads homeschool students. Our Arvada campus is located at 6980 Pierce Street,
Arvada 80003).
Full time elementary gymnasts will have the option of utilizing our Arvada facility or our
Littleton campus (located at 5890 S. Alkire Street, Littleton 80127).
STUDENT DISCIPLINE, EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION
Two Roads Charter School follows the District policies surrounding discipline, expulsion, and
suspension. The Jeffco Conduct Code is closely followed in all three areas.
OBLIGATION TO THE TWO ROADS HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM
The addition of a full-time 6
th grade middle school or an elementary program for full time
athletes will not impact Two Roads Charter School’s original commitment to our Two Roads
Homeschool Program.
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