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A public charter school w/private school feel
Published October 29, 2008
A public charter school with a private school feel
The campus is quiet except for the low mum of a teacher lecturing.
A peek into a classroom reveals students peering into textbooks, occasionally popping up hands to answer a question.
It’s a typical classroom setting in a non-typical atmosphere and it’s exactly what leaders at Radiance Academy of Learning were trying to attain when the charter school was established three years ago.
What began as a 55-student, one campus school has grown to cover five grade levels – sixth through tenth – and now accommodates more than 140 students.
“We want people to know there are options,” says Radiance Principal Manuel Polanco, who says students are not charged to attend the school, a common misconception among the community. “The only difference between a public school and a charter school is that we don’t get property tax.”
Polanco said the bulk of Radiance’s financial base is derived from the state through the school’s average daily attendance rates, which he says was 97.93 percent last year.
Like public school, Radiance is forbidden from charging tuition and as a Texas Education Agency certified charter, must meet all of the guidelines established by the state and federal No Child Left Behind Law.
This means students at Radiance must meet the same requirements on standardized testing, such as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, and reach the same number of academic credits to graduate.
For the 2007-08 school year the campus was rated “Academically Acceptable” by the state, meaning its students met benchmarks established under the Texas Education Agency on standardized testing, said Polanco.
Assistant principal Dot Steed said the school, covered under the umbrella of Shekinah Learning Institute, prides itself on its small classroom environment and lack of troubled students.
“We can ensure a safe environment,” explains Steed. “In three years we’ve never had a fight, incident with drugs or even bullying.”
To help maintain a structured atmosphere, students at Radiance are required to adhere to a simple dress code of navy or maroon polo shirts and khaki slacks, said Polanco.
The school, which houses its sixth and seventh grade students at a campus on Amistad Boulevard and eighth through tenth grade students at Grace Community Church, also maintains several elective courses above the core subjects required for graduation credit.
Some of those courses include psychology, computer technology and art, with other classes in the works.
The school is also weighing the option of being one of the first of its kind to add a bible course to its class roster.
The school also looks to keep up with technological advances in the classroom and boasts a computer inventory of more than 55 for student use between the two campuses.
Steed said, ultimately, the goal at Radiance is to prepare students for college and provide an alternative to traditional public schooling.
“It’s not to say public education is doing a bad job, we just want parents to know there are options,” said Steed.
For more information on Radiance Academy or to enroll a student call 830-774-6230.
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