Lake Geneva School District opens two charter schools
Lake Geneva Schools recently announced the opening of two charter schools for the 2019-20 school year, Maple Park Charter School (4K through eighth grade) and New Visions Charter School (ninth through 12th grade).
“Lake Geneva Schools is committed to supporting quality education programs. A community need has arisen for a blended learning approach that will challenge students to reach their full potential,” Lake Geneva Superintendent Jim Gottinger stated in a press release.
According to the release, the Lake Geneva Joint 1 School District and Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District joined with the Maple Park Charter School Governance Board and the New Visions Governance Board to create the new charter schools.
“These Charter Schools allow us to provide a new and unique learning opportunity for students and families that are looking for an education that does not align with our traditional schools,” Gottinger said.
Maple Park Charter School offers a blended learning approach. Each student receives a personalized learning plan and individual curriculum based on state-mandated standards. The program includes a menu of learning options that best fits the needs of the students. The virtual curriculum component is paired with a licensed teacher that delivers the virtual instruction and a local educational guide that provides face-to-face support.
“Maple Park Charter School provides individual support to all children and parents,” Lake Geneva Schools Director of Curriculum and Instruction Janice Eckola said. “This includes weekly check-ins with a licensed teacher that focus on: improving learning by planned instruction, diagnosing learning needs, prescribing content delivery through class activities, assessing learning, reporting outcomes to administration, parents and students, and evaluating the effects of instruction.”
At Maple Park Charter School, students also have the opportunity to attend enhanced learning days. During these days, students are able to come into a district school building for gym, music, world cultures, art, literacy block, STEM and more.
New Visions Charter School also provides a blended learning approach. Each student receives a personalized learning plan and individual curriculum based on state-mandated standards.
The difference is that New Visions is a virtual program. The virtual curriculum is supported by a local educational guide (LEG) who provides face-to-face support for the students. Students who enroll in New Visions Charter School can also attend classes at Badger High School as part of their blended approach.
“New Visions Charter School’s parents and students attend curriculum planning sessions with the LEG and a school counselor,” Eckola explained. “Students are introduced to a four-year planning guide. This guide incorporates Career Clusters into course selections. These tools are ways for students to group their required courses and electives into a coherent sequence in preparation for college or career.”
Maple Park and New Visions Charter Schools are now accepting enrollment for the 2019-20 school year.
For more information, visit www.lakegenevaschools.com or call 262-348-1000.
