New Century School Q&A

Q&A

What is NCS?	New Century School (NCS) is Wisconsin's first elementary-level, parent-initiated charter school. Charter schools encourage different approaches to education using district teachers, students, and budget. As public schools they allow all parents an additional choice in their children's education. (Note: "Parents" is used in this document for convenience; all information applies equally to other caregiving arrangements.) NCS is part of the Verona Area School District. School policy and procedure is established by the NCS Site Council within a framework of accountability to the district School Board. NCS is an elementary-level school featuring multi-age classrooms in K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Classrooms are team-taught, and the same team of teachers stay with the children and their classmates for two years. Learning is a cooperative effort at New Century. The basic philosophy underlying the school is that children, teachers, and parents enter into a partnership of learning together. Learning is a process that involves both individual achievement and cooperative learning with peers. This format operates on the premise that students may progress rapidly ahead of traditional grade-level expectations in some areas while needing more time in others. We are also sensitive to the different ways children can learn the same material. We believe this overall approach best meets a changing world where countries and cultures increasingly interact, where familiarity with science and math is vital, and where working cooperatively in groups and independently on individual initiative are important.
What is the NCS Mission Statement?	NEW CENTURY SCHOOL is a PARTNERSHIP for LEARNING with students, teachers, and parents. We EMBRACE the mission of the VERONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, VALUE the UNIQUENESS of each child and SEEK to NURTURE their continuous progress and independence as LIFELONG LEARNERS through an INTEGRATED CURRICULUM emphasizing SCIENCE, MATH and FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
Who is eligible to enroll in NCS?	Enrollment in New Century is open to all Verona Area School District children in grades K-5. Enrollment includes children from all areas of the district. There are no "eligibility requirements." Students from outside the Verona district are accepted on a space-available basis. NCS has a diverse population that reflects the district.
Is there a tuition fee?	No. NCS is a public school. Students and their parents are never charged tuition to attend New Century School.
Where is New Century located?	New Century School is located on Verona Avenue in the district's original elementary school. NCS shares some resources and facilities with Sugar Creek Elementary School, such as the gymnasium, cafeteria, and library. Transportation is provided for district students.
How do I get more information? How do I register my child?	Information meetings are held in January for the following school year (mailings are sent out at this time also). Parents may also call the New Century School office any time during the year at 845-2574 or mail/e-mail for more information. This web site is an additional source of information, particularly the news, resources, and classroom sections. Enrollment is on a space available basis and registration is completed by the end of January. (Note: the Verona Area School District will be implementing a new procedure in 1999 for enrollment into charter and other choice programs. We will update this answer as further details become available.)
What type of curriculum is used?	Our curriculum includes basic elementary academics such as language arts (reading, writing, oral skills), related arts (music, art, physical education), social studies, foreign language, and math and science. The curriculum stresses real-life, hands-on learning opportunities through technology available in the classroom and interaction with the community. Students are given responsibility to become active learners. Curriculum is approached in an integrated, thematic manner, so that students see how subjects fit together and that problem-solving requires many different talents. Before the beginning of each school year, the teaching staff meets to select the science-based theme units that will guide instruction that year. Within these themes, students in the different multi-age classrooms will focus on different aspects. The goal is to have different classrooms focus on different parts of the same theme simultaneously, allowing teachers to work together and students to be challenged. Related arts are also integrated with themes being developed in the classroom. The NCS curriculum is also built around the idea of that students have a variety of learning styles and that teaching, learning, and assessment should incorporate "multiple intelligences." These intelligences are: verbal linguistic, logical mathematic, visual spatial, body kinesthetic, musical rhythmic, interpersonal, intrapersonal. See our resources page for more information on learning styles and multiple intelligences.
How are math and science emphasized?	Math and science are emphasized through hands-on activities, projects, and laboratory time. All integrated theme units are science-based and connected to an overall school theme. Math and science will also be emphasized through ongoing community partnerships with science-oriented businesses.
Why multi-age classrooms?	Our goal is for children to have the same classroom teacher(s) for two years. This approach provides several benefits. At the start of each new academic year, the child sees his or her learning as directly continuing from the previous year. Research shows that the multi-age format works well for both the older and younger children in a class. Because our teachers stay with students for two years and work as a team when children are making the transition to another multi-age classroom, our teachers start with an excellent sense of each student's progress. We work very hard to develop an understanding of the needs and learning style of each individual student and to use this knowledge to both challenge and support the child. Parents will also be familiar with the styles and approaches of the teachers and can expect instruction to occur within the basic outlines of our philosophy. We also find that our sense of classroom and school community is greatly enhanced through this approach.
Why is foreign language included?	Spanish is a standard part of the curriculum for all children at NCS as a means to better understand various cultures and people and to encourage diversity and awareness in the classroom. Studies indicate that children at young ages are more open to language acquisition and less fearful than are older children or adults.
How are students assessed?	Evaluation of progress is primarily performance-based through portfolios, conferences, videotaped presentation of project work, report cards, and progress bands. NCS also conducts some standardized testing.
How do parents fit in the school?	New Century School seeks to foster a vital and real sense of community with a strong emphasis on multiple avenues of home-school communication. We believe strongly that families should feel embraced by their school--we want NCS to be an open, inviting, friendly environment for families. Parents are valuable resources and have a wide range of ways to participate, from assisting with event planning to coming into the classroom or serving on committees. NCS's Site Council and committees bring parents and teachers together to discuss and formulate school policy and procedures. We constantly seek new ways to build communication links within the school community, whether through traditional means or new technologies.

	Last modified 8-12-98